Inspiration – 5 Ways to Find It

Inspiration isn’t always available when I need it most.

Knowing I have to catch up on blog posts, I woke up early this morning, made coffee, and plopped down in front of the computer. Usually, morning is when words flow. An idea pops into my head, I do a little online research, and an hour or so later, I have a 500-word post.

Not today.

This morning, I’m about as far from inspired as I’ve been in a long, long time. I think it’s because I’ve spent the last few days catching up on bookkeeping and tax prep. For me, bookkeeping is the antithesis of creativity and inspiration. To get through it, I suspect that my subconscious puts my creative brain on hold.

How do I get back on track? Merely asking that question resulted in five suggestions for inspiration that have worked in the past.

1. As fate would have it, a few minutes ago, a great article about how meditation changes the brain appeared in my inbox. Today, my brain could benefit from a change. The mere fact that the article popped up, now, while I’m writing, is certainly more than a coincidence.

2. Walking, dancing, lifting weights, yoga—anything that gets me out of the computer chair and moving around can change my attitude for the better and improve my mood. Later this morning, I’m planning to go to the gym. Maybe later today, I’ll find the motivation I’m looking for.

3. Years ago, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and discovered the benefits of writing “the morning pages.” For many years, I spent a half hour every morning writing whatever came into my head without regard to spelling, grammar, or any other rules. The morning pages helped me clear my head and often became a source of future articles. Why did I stop? Now, that’s a story!

4. Clean or do laundry. Mindless tasks done to music are a great way to get over “it.” It can be a bad mood, negative thinking, frustration, anger, or any other emotion that’s getting in the way of happiness. Cranking up the music and dancing around the house also works.

5. Take a shower. The best ideas often come when I don’t have a way to take notes and I’m not trying. For some people, having a deadline is the ideal motivator, but I find that pressure to perform gets in my way. What does work for me is having a designated time set aside for writing.

Now, all I have to do is follow my own advice.