This post was most recently updated on January 19th, 2023

[A collaboration post – all thoughts are my own.]

It is still the early part of 2023, but I already feel so uninspired. No matter how often I took breaks, I always felt like I needed more time to relax. My body needs to rest, but my mind is telling me to keep working. We all experience periods of feeling uninspired, so it’s difficult to get inspired.

The good news is that it’s a natural part of the creative process and something everyone struggles with. It’s totally normal! Whenever I feel unmotivated and need to get inspired, there are some tips I always follow. So the next time you’re stuck in a creative dead zone, read this list of 12 things you can do to get inspired.

Simple Things to Get You Inspired

Learn something new

Expand your knowledge beyond what you already know in order to learn something new. I enjoy using Google to look up information about topics I’m unfamiliar with. I’ve recently started studying how to better manage my finances and save more money. Other than that, I am interested in finding out about our universe and learning ten words in a foreign language.

Get back to nature

Spend some time in nature and appreciate its incredible beauty. My favorite activity is relaxing on the beach while reading a book. Go for a hike through the forest, climb a mountain, or simply enjoy a picnic by the pond in your local park.

Visit your local bookstore

I love bookstores! And just this month, I went to my favorite bookstore and bought a lot of books and stationery. Just to buy three or four books, I might spend hours in a bookstore. There is a lot of creative inspiration in bookstores. Spend some time exploring the shelves to get inspired by the fascinating concepts and lovely pictures.

Try a new creative art form

Experiment with new things and push yourself outside of your creative comfort zone. Consider painting if you’re a writer. You can buy a set of painting kits and create something you love on the weekend. You can write a poem if you are a musician. If you’re a translator, you can learn to be an interpreter.

Listen to a new type of music

Look for and give new music a try that isn’t what you generally listen to. What about rap, jazz, or classical music?

Keep a notebook to jot down ideas

Have a notebook on hand so you can write down ideas as they come to you. These concepts might not have seemed innovative at the time, but they could potentially contribute as inspiration.

Give yourself the gift of time

Be patient with yourself. Spend a day being wholly present and doing whatever comes to you. The inspiration that comes to you when you least expect it might surprise you.

Read an inspiring blog post

Visit your favorite blogs and read some motivational content. There is nothing that can inspire you more than a few strong phrases.

Travel

If you choose, you can travel by bus, train, or airplane. It provides you some time to reflect on life and occasionally come up with original thoughts while you’re traveling.

Go beyond your comfort zone

Routines can quickly become boring. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. You’ll encourage the flow of ideas and boost motivation by shaking up your everyday routine. I currently practice translating legal documents so I can expand my knowledge and get more clients in the future.

Watch a great film

A great movie has a way of moving you and making you think deeply. Choose a fantastic movie, and take it all in.

Journal your thoughts

Both now and in the future, journaling can serve as a powerful channel and inspire new ideas. Your journal is your own space to write honestly and freely, allowing what is inside to show through.

To get you started, these are but a few suggestions. Finding inspiration doesn’t need much effort. Learn to appreciate all the simple things by simply taking a look around you. Do something you’ve always wanted to do; be imaginative; step outside your comfort zone.