5 Ways to Find Inspiration (hint: stop looking for it)

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Inspiration is something we hear about a lot- but it is hard to know exactly how to find it. We might feel inspired completely out of the blue, or we might feel like inspiration is never going to come.

I find that inspiration comes and goes, and it’s not always prompted by the same things every time. For example, I might get a bit of inspiration when I go for a walk in my local woods- or I might just need to watch my favourite show.

I always find it helpful to chat with my friends and family to bounce ideas, and you never know when someone is going to give you an idea for something you want to do.

Whether you need to find inspiration for your blog or you want to inject a bit of passion back into your life, there are a few ways to find inspiration- especially when you stop looking for it.

In this blog post, find 5 ways to find inspiration. Hint: stop looking for it!

1. Start being mindful

After my burn-out experience, I started trying to do everything in my life a bit more mindfully. While I love to be busy, I found that I wasn’t putting any time aside for the little things in life- and that needed to change.

mindfulness sign on a window

Try being mindful throughout your day. This might mean taking time to care for your plants, watching TV instead of scrolling on your phone or reading a book that isn’t related to work.

By being mindful, you might find that inspiration strikes at a random moment during your day- and it will help you forget about the task or project at hand.

2. Go for a walk

A walk is a fantastic way to get out of the house and find a bit of inspiration. You might see something on your walk that sparks an idea in your mind, or you might just need a break from your project to get a bit of perspective.

a path over a bridge in the middle of the woods

I find that going for a walk helps me find inspiration when I’m working.

As a freelancer, it can be hard to get away from screens, and a walk gives me a chance to exercise, listen to music and get a bit of fresh air. This is the case for anyone who works online, such as freelance translators, bloggers, business professionals or writers like me.

3. Switch mediums

If you’re looking for blog inspiration, try using paper and pen instead of your laptop. Just switching mediums can often help you to find inspiration and get writing!

open notebook with a pen on top and an eraser next to it on the table- using paper and pen to find inspiration

I’ve taken a short break from my blog, so I took a big piece of paper and created a mindmap to come up with new blog post ideas.

This gave me the freedom to scribble, take notes and annotate- and it brought a wave of inspiration. You could even use a voice note to record your thoughts whenever you need to find inspiration.

4. Change up the music

If you’re struggling to find inspiration, it can help to use all of your senses! Try to change up your music and listen to something a bit different.

You might want to listen to some classical music as a break from your favourite albums, or you might want to try some fast-paced songs that inspire you to get started with your project.

headphones- used to find inspiration in music

I love to listen to fast, upbeat songs that I know, so that I can really belt out the lyrics. However, mixing up your music is a great way to encourage your mind to feel inspired.

5. Get away!

The most successful way to find inspiration is to get away!

Get away from your desk or your house. It can help to go somewhere new, do something different, speak to someone outside of your circle, eat a new treat or just take a break from your task.

If you’re in need of serious inspiration, this might even involve getting away for a holiday or working somewhere different. Anything that will get your mind away from your project and get those creative juices flowing.

lightbulb held up to the sky- finding inspiration

By mixing up your routine, taking time to live mindfully and encouraging yourself to move away from your project, inspiration will find you!

How do you find inspiration when you need it? What is your favourite way to find inspiration? Do you use any of these ideas to inspire yourself on a daily basis?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

69 thoughts

  1. Really loved this post! I find that hitting the gym and meditating has helped me to find some inspiration, but my best ideas have always come when I least expected it.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. I’ve never really needed to worry about inspiration. I’ve got a note app with hundreds of notes about ideas for my blog, book ideas, and other creative stuff. My inspiration gets triggered really easily, just by doing the stuff I’d normally do. Having said that, with my tattoo ideas, I’ve had to look at tattoo designs online to help shape the tattoo I want

    Liked by 1 person

  3. you are so right – sometimes you have to stop looking for inspiration. you just have to start living more and trying different things. thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Inspiration strikes when you least expect it, especially when you don’t go looking for it, as you said. Putting yourself in novel situations, being present or finding a new perspective in a similar view can help inspiration strike. I enjoy going on walks and I find that putting pen to paper helps bring out ideas and thoughts you didn’t know were sitting inside you waiting to flow out.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. When I’m struggling for inspiration, the more I look for it, the worse it gets so YES to getting outside, going for a walk and actually doing something almost completely irrelevant to what you’re looking for inspiration for! It always comes in the shower 😉 x

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Going for walks is weirdly effective in clearing my mind and generating ideas. I’m thankful I have my doggo that I take on daily walks, because she makes sure I do it even when I don’t feel like it. But I always feel more clear-headed after. Anyway, thanks for this post!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for commenting! Yes I agree, I think having a reason to get out is so important, as it can be hard to force yourself to go for a walk. It definitely helps you come up with ideas and feel clear-headed 🙂

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  7. Going for a walk is the easiest way for me to feel better, happier and more energised. I particularly love the cold days where we bundle up and walk and walk. I stick a podcast in or some music while the baby sleeps and my mind races! Love your ideas
    Rosie

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  8. These are creative ways to get inspirations. Music always gives me inspirations to write stories. I also get inspirations from reading books & webtoons, watch K-Dramas, and brainstorming ideas with my bff.

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  9. I really needed to read this today, I have so much motivation and want to write and be creative but so little inspiration. Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

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