Inspiration and the act of being inspired come from the Latin word ‘inspiratus’, which essentially means ‘breath into’.
The word inspiration initially referred to the influence of a divine entity on a person. The word has come to mean the influence of a person on the world.
To breathe life into your work you NEED to be inspired.
The act of being inspired by something is made to look like a eureka moment for brilliant minds. Becoming inspired is really a daily process of observation and reflection.
That’s why it doesn’t take a God to breathe life into your writing but just you and the things you observe.
Creativity through inspiration is everywhere. You need only look at a conversation between two people to see a million intricacies about human interactions and the way people navigate encounters with each other.
Inspiration is EVERYWHERE you just need to know where to look.
Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
The key to consistent inspiration is the keen use of observation and awareness.
Observation and Awareness
You need to be conscious enough to register what you are seeing in a meaningful way, this is how you observe.
The second step is to reflect and acknowledge what you are observing truly means to you, this is awareness.
Observation and Awareness are the 2 key forces for successfully being inspired by your menial daily tasks.
The first way you can use this frame of mind is to be mindful of your surroundings. This doesn’t mean being aware that your surroundings are around you, but rather knowing how your environment shapes what you acknowledge about it, it’s looking past the veil our brain puts over our eyes to mitigate overwhelm.
To be inspired is to notice the beauty and intricacies of the ordinary.
When you truly acknowledge things you take for granted you understand that there is a purposeful approach to why this thing is the way it is.
A great example is if you study animals. Every single creature you encounter daily, down to the most minute detail is DESIGNED to do what it does. Understanding this brings order to the chaos, and opens your eyes to the purposefullness of life itself.
Some call it God. I’m not so sure. But I do know, it’s definitely real.
Embracing Life Experiences
One of the most pertinent ways to write things that actually have meaning for people is by writing from your experience.
There is some sort of universal truth that when you write about what happened to you just clicks with large amounts of people.
That’s all stories really. Just ways people distill their experience into a capsule by which others can experience the same thing.
This makes writing for life experience such a powerful means to fuel creative ideas.
So, if you want to connect with people through your writing, if you want to breathe life into other people to get them inspired, write from your truth, from what you experience.
If you do that, inspiration will flow through you in bucket loads.
Even the most mundane of moments can be turned into sources of inspiration.
If you can find the human truth, the purposefulness in your current experience, you can write novels and novels just from this feeling, this truth.
Finding inspiration is the act of uncovering the truth.
Drawing Creativity From Unexpected Places
The real meat and potatoes of this post is to tell you that inspiration is EVERYWHERE, especially in the places you wouldn’t think to look.
Unconventional Sources
The fact about the trivial is that you think you know what that thing means.
Your daily routine to get to work is trivial to you because you do it so many times that you think you know why you do it.
You don’t.
The reasons people do anything are beyond even the wisest scholar. There are thousands of influencing factors, tainted by countless cognitive biases, and understanding why humans do anything they do becomes an educated guess.
However.
You get to make that guess.
You see finding inspiration in the trivial is spinning the truth to fit a certain viewpoint. It’s looking at the meaningless and creating meaning which is what creativity is!
This is why I recommend that you explore hobbies, interests, and activities outside of your writing, this allows you to be constantly doing something, which means you are constantly acting a truth.
If you are constantly acting your truth, and discovering truth is the key to inspiration, no surprise doing more things will lead to more inspiration.
Similarly, consuming art does the same thing. When you truly observe and acknowledge music, visual arts, or even science what you are doing is finding the truth that the creator envisioned.
Compiling the way others see truth gives critical information to formulating your own, this is of course creativity in work.
Travel and Exploration
New environments are the base of creative breakthroughs.
Changing your regular surroundings to something less than familiar lets your brain work in weird ways.
A change of scenery exposes you to new ways of thinking which will no doubt stimulate creativity.
The problem is that an experience is always in the present so it’s hard to keep the mental shift with you, this is why you should document your travel experiences.
Documenting your experiences in general is an excellent way of sustaining your truth.
This journal of past experiences will act as the same thing as being in this situation, therefore you can grab that inspiration from your holiday in Japan in the comfort of your own home.
Get your brain in different scenarios, and you are guaranteed to find inspiration.
The Power of Reflection To Get Inspired
Reflection is a key skill we must develop here to attain sustained inspiration.
Remember our two keys to inspiration?
Observation and Awareness
Regularly recording and reflecting on your experiences acts as both observation and awareness.
This unlocks an inspiration-triggering machine.
The more you experience, the more you record, the more you record the more you observe, the more you observe the more aware you will be of your experience.
This positive feedback loop will certainly skyrocket your inspiration.
Journalling and Mind Mapping
Ever had a fleeting thought or observed something intriguing during your day?
These moments, no matter how small, can become seeds for brilliant ideas.
Journaling is the art of capturing these thoughts on paper. It could be a pocket-sized notebook or a digital journal—whatever suits your style. By jotting down your observations, you create a reservoir of potential inspiration for your writing.
Another way of journalling is creating links between your experiences.
Enter the realm of mind mapping.
Take those scattered thoughts and connect them visually.
Mind maps are an excellent way to explore the relationships between seemingly unrelated concepts. As you map out your ideas, you might discover unique intersections that spark creativity. It’s a dynamic technique to unearth hidden connections and bring depth to your writing.
Learning From Challenges
Challenges are inevitable, but their role in your creative journey is transformative.
Instead of viewing setbacks as roadblocks, consider them as opportunities for growth.
Journal about the challenges you face in your writing. What did you learn? How can you use this newfound knowledge to enhance your craft?
Turning adversity into an opportunity for improvement is a hallmark of resilient and creative writers.
Creativity often thrives in the unexpected.
Embrace the twists and turns that life throws at you.
Did a project not go as planned? Did you face a writing block? These unexpected moments can be catalysts for fresh ideas.
Reflect on these experiences in your journal, exploring how they pushed you outside your comfort zone and spurred new creative paths.
Journalling like this is almost guaranteed to change your writing for the better in one way or another.
In Conclusion . . .
We’ve uncovered various strategies to keep those creative flames burning.
From observing the ordinary to exploring the extraordinary, journaling, mind mapping, learning from challenges, and embracing setbacks as opportunities—each tactic contributes to our toolbox of inspiration.
Inspiration surrounds us, often in the most unexpected places.
The challenge lies in actively seeking it.
Writers, take a proactive approach. Look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, find beauty in the mundane, and embrace the unexpected. Creativity is a treasure hunt, and the gems are waiting to be discovered in your everyday experiences.
Remember, the pursuit of inspiration is not a one-time quest but an ongoing journey.
It’s a continuous process of discovery and rediscovery.
As a writer, every experience, every observation, and every challenge contributes to your creative reservoir. Embrace the notion that inspiration and truth are not confined to grand moments; it’s woven into the fabric of your daily life.
In your writing journey, let reflection be your compass, guiding you through the nuances of creativity.
With a journal in hand, an open mind, and a willingness to learn from challenges, you’re equipped to navigate the vast landscape of inspiration.
So, writers, go forth, seek, reflect, and let the endless well of creativity flow through your words. Happy writing!
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