Find Your Inspiration in Our Troubled World

We all struggle from time to time with life, whether it’s work or personal stuff. It’s hard to keep on top of everything, no matter how organized and patient you are.

If you are creative like me, you will understand the pressures of time. For me it’s a fine line between what I love doing (writing) and work. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy what I do for work, but I choose to write — for me. Writing is my happy place.

In this article I’m going to give you some of my tips on how to regain that creative inspiration for those days when you are not at your best.

1. Go somewhere different. Get away from your house to someplace else. A new location can do wonders for your inspiration and give you something different to explore.

2. Make a story board. Think about what you want to achieve. What does it look like? Where does it take you? Map out where your mind is taking you and see it in front of you. Seeing it will help you to make it a reality.

3. Learn something new. Take up a hobby. Sign up for a class. Study something you’re interested in. Try something other than your normal tasks and see how your perspective slowly shifts.

4. Keep a notebook. Write down your ideas and thoughts. You might need them when you least expect it.

5. Go outdoors. I’m a great believer in the health benefits of nature. It’s helped me through some rough times. Give it a shot and notice how you are feeling when you come back home.

6. Try something new that is out of your comfort zone. Notice how awesome it feels to have a go at something you normally avoid. You might even enjoy it. This makes me think of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.” The story where Sam refuses to try the dish. He eventually tries the food and likes eating it.

7. Follow ten new people who inspire you on social media. See what they are posting and take notes.

8. Read an interesting book. Books can inspire you and help you out of a creative hole. Maybe you can read a classic novel or an auto-biography?

9. Take up journaling. This is something that I do and it has helped me to let my thoughts disappear onto the page rather than keep hold of them. Scribble down all your ideas - even the bad ones. Who knows if one of them can turn into something awesome?

10. Give yourself creative freedom. Experiment and have fun with your creativeness. You inspiration is sure to come.

11. Watch a TED Talk on YouTube or a video that will inspire you.

12. Ask your friends what they are working on. Their answers might inspire you with your project.

13. Give meditation a go. Sometimes clearing your mind is the best way to find your inspiration.

14. Time. Many of us struggle with this but it’s important to carve out some “you time.” Who else will hold everything and everyone together if you fall apart?

15. Pick a creative talent from your field and learn about them. I’m studying writing now, and I’ve learnt so much from researching other writers. Find out what makes them tick, where they get their inspiration from and their writing routine. Maybe there is something you can learn from this and bring into your creative life?

My name is Lizzy. I’m a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

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For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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Here are a few links to my top articles:

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https://medium.com/activated-thinker/looking-for-a-change-f391e85abbd7

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https://medium.com/illumination/how-to-explain-complex-ptsd-to-loved-ones-769f81d437ab

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https://medium.com/beyond-lines/a-search-for-identity-893df7c970c2

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https://medium.com/illumination/the-knock-on-the-door-that-changed-my-world-ff126c8c07cf

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