How to Find Inspiration
Finding inspiration sometimes sounds like one of those things that not everybody can do - like it's some crazy, unattainable goal that we all strive for, but we sometimes can't seem to get exactly what we wanted. I've always loved to have words to "inspire" me and have someone to look up to that "inspires" me. But what exactly does this mean? It's funny because inspiration can be such a vague thing, but it's a very important thing. This week, I want to uncover what "inspiration" is exactly and how I've learned to use it to my own advantage.
It all depends on what it is you're trying to find inspiration for, right? Whether that's athletics, writing, painting or anything else, you can find something or someone that will spark your mind to want to create more. For me, I find that I need inspiration most for my writing. I find that if I know exactly what I want to write about, I can sit down and write pages and pages without getting distracted. There are times when I want to write, but I'm not feeling inspired by anything, so it takes me a while to get started. This is where having that inspiration is useful.
I've learned that the way you spend you time is how you find your inspiration.
TAKE TIME // This summer, more than ever, I've found that same inspiration I'm talking about here. My first tip is to take time. If your mind is running wild 24 hours a day, you simply won't be able to find the inspiration you're looking for - whether it's to write more, to create something new, whatever that may be. This time doesn't have to be two hours a day or anything crazy; it can be five minutes a day if that's all you have. Sit down with pen and paper and write out your goals. What do you want?
You don't always have to feel inspired by what others do, but instead you can motivate yourself to get up and move forward. By writing down our goals and continuously looking back at them, we are able to see our future through clearer eyes.
Sit down with your favorite magazine or a website you like to read. Find photographs that you like and that inspire you. I love to read magazines (lifestyle magazines in particular), so just flipping through them and reading the stories can inspire me for new topics to write about. P.S. my favorite is the Magnolia Journal :)
SPEND TIME // If you carve out five minutes a day to keep yourself going, do you know how you want to spend it? It's important to ensure you are 100% committed to that time. Distractions are always present and are not going away anytime soon. This is where willpower comes in handy. If you see your phone light up beside you, but you have five minutes to yourself, the best thing you can do for yourself is let it go and stay focused.
As humans, we will not always feel like writing, or editing, or painting, or working out, etc. A lot of what we do is based on how we feel. So if we don't feel like it, we won't want to do it. How many times have you known you need to go to the gym, but you just really don't feel like it? What do you do? The answer to that question is what's important.
I wanted to share these tips because I use them every single day as I'm trying to pursue new goals on a daily basis. Every time I sit down to write, I have a choice. I'm probably the most distracted person in the world, so I really struggle with staying focused on things like this.
Just recently, I've really gotten in the groove of what it is I want to share and what I want to write - and I'm about two and half years into my blogging journey. This time we have may seem short as we're working, but we must allow ourselves time to make this journey worth while. Nothing good was ever made overnight.
Title Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
