5 TIPS TO GET INSPIRED
Have you ever been stuck in a creative rut? You can’t come up with new ideas or you feel unmotivated to make the ideas you do have come to life — maybe you even feel like your work just isn’t good enough. I’ve been there, and I think it’s safe to say we all have. So how do you get out? The process is different for everyone, but here’s a few tips anyone can use to break through a creative roadblock and start being happy doing what you love again.
1 – COLLABORATE WITH OTHER CREATORS
The easiest way to get inspired is through other creatives. Find someone who is interested in the same type of creativity as you – it doesn’t have to be the same exact work though. For example, as a photographer I often draw inspiration from other photographers, but I also love to collaborate with different brands. Let’s say I get hired to photograph for a brand that makes hats – I’m instantly inspired because I can build an entire shoot around those hats. Try finding like-minded artists that create something you genuinely enjoy then find a way to collaborate with them on a project.
2 – APPRECIATE YOUR PROGRESS
Often times it can be easy to get distracted by where you want to be and forget about how far you’ve come. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and be grateful for our growth. I always set very high goals for myself and strive to meet them. At times, I get so caught up in working toward my goals, that I forget to enjoy the journey to get there. One of the most difficult times for me to remember to be proud of my progress is when I set a goal for myself and don’t reach it. I have to remember that when I first started, that goal was probably unthinkable and the fact that I even came close to it now is something to appreciate.
3 – CREATE SOMETHING DIFFICULT
Everyone has seen a piece of someone else’s work and thought, “Wow, I wish I could do that.” Well, try to! Nothing is more inspiring than doing something that you never thought you could. Even if you try and fail, figure out why you failed and what you need to learn or practice to succeed next time and try again! Not only will you learn something new and get insane amounts of satisfaction when you finally conquer that project – but you will also be able to come up with new ways to use your new skills! BOOM – Inspiration +10!
4 – TRY DOING SOMETHING YOU USE TO LOVE
I’ve tried so many different creative outlets before discovering my passion in photography. Once in a while you just need a break from doing one thing over and over again. Try revisiting an old hobby for a bit, then come back to your main craft with a fresh mind. Who knows, maybe you will even find a way to combine the two for a unique project.
5 – STOP TRYING
Before you close my blog and never come back thinking I told you to just give up – let me explain. Usually, inspiration comes unexpectedly. You can’t force it if it’s not there and you may not even find it in this blog post. Maybe one day you look at your dogs and think. “Hey, one kind of looks orange like a pumpkin and the other is white like a ghost.” Then maybe you’ll realize it’s October and you could totally make a photoshoot out of this. You never know.