Finding Inspiration All Around
Today we are going to change things up a bit and give you a more informal peek into our creative processes. Living in such a media centric world, sometimes it can be overwhelming to consume constant information and advice from so many different areas that it can start to feel crowded in our little brains.
We have spoken a few times now about how to look for advice in terms of social media success, and how to be sure that the advice is actually applicable to your personal needs…but now we want to give you a more personal take on finding inspiration and guidance in a creative capacity!
It isn’t lost on anyone here that creative burnout can settle in without warning, and when it does, it can feel utterly debilitating— especially when you are working in an industry that requires such constant ideation, imagination and creation. There is an undeniable need to feel like you are the first to do something, or that your content is completely original from anyone else’s. Setting yourself apart from your competition (or simply similar users or accounts in your field) is a consistent, and heavy, responsibility.
My career in Marketing began in Journalism due to my lifelong passion for writing. When my hobby became my profession, it dawned on me that I was no longer doing something that I loved because I loved to…I was doing it because I had to. If we had a dollar for every time someone said, “If you do what you love, you won’t work a day in your life!” we’d be BILLIONAIRES! Wouldn’t we?
I could feel the picking and prodding at my creativity from a mile away and it scared me to the point of resentment. What used to feel like a unique, special attribute of mine very quickly became exploited by my own doing, and I needed to act fast.
Veering out of print journalism and my career in writing, I jumped into a new, yet similar, field, where I felt that my creativity was an asset but not a lifeline. After a few months, that asset ran dry and I was left standing back where I was before, dull and dry of any original thought.
SOUND THE ALARM.
In situations like these, when you know you have been here before, and you know that you have made it out… it is oftentimes easiest to rely on your go-to methods of “creative survival”, your arsenal of inspirational jolts and jeers. However, sometimes the tried and true helpers feel tired and out of date.
Here are my tips, both new and old, to spark life back into my rusty brain when it is feeling lackluster:
Collaging & Scrapbooking: I am a pen-to-paper person through and through, so I take the old school approach to mood boards. Pinterest, on the other hand, is also a fantastic option for this type of creative exercise! My most recent “mood board” is a collection of paragraphs and cover pages of my favorite childhood books. As much as it pained me to chop up Where the Wild Things Are… I glued different passages and sentences to a small piece of cardboard, framed them, and hung them above my bed. In a way, I like to think of these little artworks as both an affirmation of creativity, but also a tether to my original love for all different art forms. For me, they serve as a reminder to embrace new ways of thinking while still remembering where I started.
Landing: Similarly to collaging, Landing is a Pinterest-esque alternative that allows you to create full collages or mind maps. You can upload media, or use their pre-curated library to create such fun pictures and boards. I like to create a new landing board each month and set it as my desktop screensaver. For me, not only is it relaxing and fun to do, but it also helps to refresh my energy and “vibe” for an upcoming month.
People Watching at the Art Museum: Now this one may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you are looking for a quick burst of creativity. That being said, this is without a doubt my most successful tool. For starters, fresh air is MAGIC, especially when you work from home or even in an office. Being stationary all day isn’t only cause for physical concern, but also mental. Finding somewhere nearby, somewhere full of people and life, is inspirational in and of itself. I like to take a blanket to lay in the grass with a journal and either sketch what I see, or just keep a running list of thoughts that pop into my head. Watching different walks of life and people of all ages can be helpful to unlocking a viewpoint you hadn’t thought of before, or reminding you of a life you want to live! Most recently my art museums have been extra fruitful regarding a special new project we have coming up…you’ll just have to wait and see!
Listening to Music on Shuffle: If you are anything like me, you have about 36,000 songs in your music library. Listening to music on shuffle is SO therapeutic and inspiring for me because I can rediscover old favorites, or hear something completely new that I did not realize I had even downloaded. Whenever I’m feeling burnout, it’s always coupled with stagnancy and complacency. Listening to something that feels new, even if it’s from 2006, helps pull me out of that way of thinking. Bonus points if you’re into manifesting or “listening to the universe” because you can play a fun little game of “This next song will describe the next week of my life,” OR if you’re really brave, “give me a sign that I am on the right track.”
Phone Calls to Friends: Literally my saving grace. As much as I’d love to stay completely disconnected when I’m feeling overwhelmed, it is so crucial to me that I am able to bounce ideas off of people who don’t already know my every move (which is…a lot..). A lot of us are going through the same thing at eerily similar times, and catching up with someone whether it be in a creative capacity or something completely informal, can be majorly beneficial.
Journaling: I have piles upon PILES of journals that I’ve never finished cover to cover because one of my favorite things to do is to buy a completely fresh one and dedicate it to either a specific feeling or a specific purpose. For example, I have a journal completely set aside for suggestions and client ideas. Keeping this entirely separate from any other thoughts or processes allows me to jump straight back into that way of thinking when the opportunity arises! I also have a journal for caption ideas and copywriting, as well as a journal for all of my favorite idioms and metaphors. It isn’t cheap, and definitely does not help to save the trees… but it works for me!
Volunteering: As my last suggestion, I will say that this hobby of mine is not as time forgiving as the others, and may take a bit more effort and pre-planning. HOWEVER, volunteering is not only a great way to give back to the community, but similarly to people watching or catching up with friends, it allows you to tap into untouched perspectives and strike up conversations with people you never would have met! They say there is a new opportunity behind every door… you just have to open it! I’ve volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, at soup kitchens, dog shelters, retirement homes…you name it! This is such an excellent way to plant energy back into your life whenever you are feeling stuck.
There is always something new to learn, or someone to remind you of what you love and what you are good at. Whenever your creativity feels strained, remember to take the time and space to come back to yourself! Inspiration is everywhere and sometimes it’s a little bit more hidden but I trust you have the tools to find it. If you have any special ways to find your inspiration, we’d love to hear it! Send us a message or an email and we can talk all things creativity and imagination.
Happy creating!
XO, Meghan
