Good morning!

Today’s post is all about helping you find creative inspiration when you’re feeling drained or uninspired. We’ve all been there! It’s definitely something everyone has experienced, because let’s be honest- not every day is amazing when it comes to our creative flow. Somedays I crank out content and designs like nobody’s business, and the next, I feel frustrated and have to just step away and do something else. Over the years I’ve taken note of a few tactics to help with creativity and I hope these ideas can also help you! Whether you’re having trouble brain storming blog topics, writing stories, or creating art, here are a few of my tips to help rev up your creativity when it’s dwindling!

 

Keep a small notebook for ideas.

In my purse I keep a little notebook to jot down ideas as they come. You never know if you’ll be in the grocery store line, or waiting to pick your kids up at school when you get an idea. A phone works great too! I often times write down notes in my phone about a design idea, or a blog topic. If I don’t write things down when they come to me, chances are that I won’t remember it even 5 minutes later I have a section in my phone notes for blog topic ideas, designs to create, inspiring quotes I hear, etc etc etc. That way when I want to sit down and be productive, all I have to do is open it up and build on what I thought of days or weeks prior! Maybe you could keep notes on thoughts you want to include in a book you’re writing! Regardless of whatever it is you want to keep track of, this method is great.

 

Browse Pinterest.

This might seem like a super obvious idea, but sometimes I totally overlook this. I could get lost on Pinterest for days. Not sure what to make for dinner? browse Pinterest. Not sure how to decorate your home? browse Pinterest. Not sure what color scheme to use on your website? browse Pinterest. You get the idea…It’s obviously never a good idea to copy someone’s work, but you can certainly get some creative inspiration from what others are doing. Organize your Pinterest boards in a fun way so you’re excited to look back at ideas you came across and saved. Pinterest is also an awesome learning tool. Sometimes just learning a new way to make or do something is just the right amount of inspiration you need.

 

Journal.

Sometimes writing can get your creativity flowing because getting thoughts written out on paper can help clear your mind for other things. What should you journal about you ask? Anything! Write whatever you want down on paper so your mind becomes less cluttered. I’m convinced this technique works because the less distracted you feel by every day stress, the more you can dedicate your mind to creating! I find that this especially helps if you journal long term. It may help in the moment if you sit down and do it once, but the more you get into the habit of journaling regularly, the more regularly creative you’ll feel.

 

Exercise or spend time in nature.

Not only will going for a walk or a jog give you a mental break, but exercise also increases mood-boosting chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) in the brain that increase a person’s creativity. Exercise is also a great way to clear your mind and increase focus and productivity. Additionally, spending time in the great outdoors just seems to help everything! It boosts your mood and can also help clear your mind. Nature can also be great inspiration for authors and artists.

 

Take an online course or listen to a Podcast in your niche.

This kind of goes along with the browsing Pinterest idea. Learning from others can definitely help spark your creativity. Often times it’s even worth spending money to learn something new to reignite inspiration in your creative business. Today I just signed up for and purchased an online Etsy course to help me do bigger things with my business! There’s no shame in having other’s help you along your journey, that’s what we’re all here for…to help each other and it certainly helps for gaining new ideas.

 

Organize your space.

My Mom always used to say, “a cluttered room is a cluttered mind,” and ain’t that the truth! I feel a little off when my office space is a cluttered mess, and I’m always able to function a little better and happier when things are neat and orderly. By no means am I a neat freak, but there’s definitely truth to this. Take a few moments to organize and brighten you space. Open a window, turn on an extra light if you’re mentally tired, de-clutter your desk space or the space around you. You’ll feel a lot better. I have my home office in my bedroom. It’s super cozy, but I find I’m more productive working when I’ve made my bed. Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a difference!

 

Look back on your old work.

Sometimes looking back on old blog posts or old pieces of your artwork can reignite your creativity spark. Sometimes I get in a routine of creating and posting and creating and posting, that sometimes I forget to stop and recognize what I’ve actually created. Sometimes I’ll think, “hey, that’s pretty neat, I should make more of this” or “I should do a similar color scheme with my next project.” Take time to appreciate what you’ve done and where you’ve been. Your PAST self can inspire your PRESENT self! Take a few moments to look back on what you’ve done so that you can be proud and also continue to identify with yourself and your brand moving forward really knowing what you’re capable of.

 

Take a break.

And sometimes this is all you really need- to just take a break. Take a nap, watch a movie, relax. And don’t even think about beating yourself up for it. We are all human and we all need to rest. Burning out with never be good for creativity, so be sure to take time for self care regularly.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now; I hope you enjoyed my post and found some helpful points in it! What are things you do to find your most creative self when you’re not feeling your most inspired? Let me know!!