12 best ways to get inspired

Inspiration can strike at any moment. It’s usually spontaneous, but if you’re looking for ways to encourage creative ideas to flow, here are 12 best ways to get inspired.

Let’s get one thing straight- you can’t force inspiration, but you can encourage it to come through. It’s kind of like handing out candy on Halloween. If you want trick-or-treaters to come to your house, but forget to leave your porch light on, they probably won’t come knocking. On the other hand, if you make your porch more inviting by leaving the light on, kids are more likely to come to your house and ring the doorbell, anticipating some good candy. And, If you’re handing out full-size chocolate bars, well, you’re the real MVP. 

If you’ve ever found it challenging to think of exciting new ideas for whatever project you’re working on, then you know what I mean. It would be great if we could just turn on ideas at the flick of a switch whenever we need them, but that’s not really how it works. Not to worry though! If you’re looking for ways to help you get inspired, there are a few things you can do. (You’re actually doing one of them right now! See Tip #4). Tried and tested by yours truly, here are my 12 best ways to get inspired.

If you’re ever feeling uninspired, DRESS UP and put on your favourite clothes or accessories. Sometimes it’s as simple as that. If you’re feeling blah, get out of that old t-shirt you got for free with the purchase of a specially marked cereal box (unless that happens to be your favourite of course!) and put on something that makes you feel good. 

For me, during the past few years of working from home, I haven’t really put my office wear to good use. However, the simple act of changing out of my pajamas and into an outfit that I enjoy (mostly matching athleisure sets) has positively impacted my mood and productivity. As a result, I feel inspired to take on the day. 

If you’ve ever experienced burnout, then you know it’s extremely hard to feel inspired by anything during that time. At that point, if you do feel inspiration, I hope it’s to RECHARGE. 

Making time to take a break is not only key to mental wellness, but getting inspired. When you allow your mind and body to relax, ideas are more likely to flow. Think about it this way- these days we’re constantly on our devices and even technology needs a break when it needs to be charged. 

The good news is you have an endless list of ways to recharge, depending on what you like to do. It can also mean doing nothing at all! 

We talked about recharging your mind and body in Tip #2, but other ways of PRACTICING SELF-CARE are just as important and can leave you feeling refreshed and inspired.   

Try scheduling some ‘me time’ to pamper yourself. Take a relaxing bath or shower with your fave bath and body products, put on a face mask, get your nails done, schedule a massage, meditate, go to a work-out class, cook a nutritious meal-  whatever self-care means to you!

When it comes to BROWSING or scrolling through content, I think a lot of people have mastered this skill, especially online. You’re technically browsing this post right now (btw thank you!). The key to getting inspired by browsing is making sure you’re not ‘mindlessly scrolling’. 

Browsing through a more curated feed related to a specific topic is more likely to leave you feeling inspired. Not only are you less likely to get distracted by things that aren’t relevant to you, but by reducing unnecessary sources of content, you help yourself stay focused and in the present moment.

I personally love browsing through Pinterest. I don’t know about you, but the algorithm on that platform gives me an endless supply of inspo no matter what category I’m looking at. 

If you’ve checked out my Lifestyle section, specifically my Books & Other Positive Content page, then you probably know I love to READ. I like to mix it up with fiction and non-fiction, and always seem to come across sentences or paragraphs that resonate with me, sparking new ideas. I believe Oprah Winfrey would call these Aha! moments. The best feeling is when words on a page jump out at you and leave you feeling inspired. Nothing compares.   

Speaking of Oprah, I’ve listed my fave Oprah Winfrey books on my page, but The Path Made Clear is definitely one of my favourites! It’s all about finding your purpose or calling in life. There are some pretty inspiring stories shared in the book.

Sometimes you just need to switch things up when it comes to your environment. For anyone working from home these days, I’m sure you can relate. Day after day, as you sit in the same spot, looking out the same window and seeing the same squirrel running along the fence (where is he taking that nut?), it can start to feel a bit like Squirrel Day- pardon me- Groundhog Day. Not exactly the best way to cultivate inspiration. 

I’m all for traveling to new places and countries to experience different cultures. These days that can be challenging but you can still EXPLORE in other ways. Try exploring your neighbourhood, go to a farmer’s market, a new walking trail. Get out there and see something new! 

While we’re on the topic of changing up your environment, you can also get inspired by REDECORATING or changing up your living space. The best part is you really don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this. Try bringing in a few new pieces that bring you joy. This can be simple things like a new plant, pillows, or other décor that can spark your creativity. You can also freshen up your space by simply moving things you already have around the room.  

As a kid, I remember I loved creating collages. I enjoyed the process of flipping through magazines, finding pictures I liked, cutting them out, and taping them on blank sheets of paper. Later on, as I was introduced to the concept of VISION BOARDS, I realized that the practice of creating a collage or vision board is quite similar. 

In both cases, you go through the process of looking for pictures that either represent something or just speak to you. Coming across different images can leave you feeling inspired in so many ways. Maybe it will spark new creative ideas or provide you with clarity about what you want to accomplish. If you’re stuck in doors, this can be a fun activity!

APPRECIATING the beauty of things you see in your day-to-day life is another way to get inspired, especially in NATURE. If you stop to really focus on the little things outside, it can help cultivate positive emotions. Research even shows that there are a number of positive impacts of nature on our physical, psychological and social health. There’s a reason spending time outdoors can be therapeutic.  

One of the things I miss most about my daily commute to the office is looking out the window of the train as it travelled along the track. It was so calming to just stare out at the trees, plants and wildlife. My favourite area in particular was by the lake, especially on sunny days when the water sparkled. Looking out that window, I really did feel like that meme where you feel like you’re in a movie. Also, don’t even get me started with the cuteness overload of parents and their kids who would enthusiastically wave as the train went by 🥺. So pure. 

If it’s inspiration you seek, then get a move on- literally! EXERCISE not only fuels your body, but your mind too! As you work out, go for a walk, ride your bike, do yoga- whatever it is- endorphins are released which can not only leave you feeling good, but also inspired. 

I was never one to work out in the morning a couple years ago, especially because I was already waking up early for work, and waking up even earlier was not going to happen. However, once I started working from home, I made exercise part of my morning routine before my work day. And you know what? It has definitely helped me feel inspired and ready to take on my day.

MUSIC is by far one of my go-tos for inspiration. I don’t think a day passes where I don’t listen to music in some way. Not only can the actual lyrics of a song spark something in you, but if you’re like me, and really into the beat or rhythm of songs, that can really get your creative juices flowing. 

So many people get joy and inspiration from creating something, even food! I personally enjoy BAKING and the science behind it. I mean, you can’t really mess up unless you measure wrong right? There’s something about mixing together a bunch of individual ingredients to create a delicious treat that is really rewarding. 🧁 And hey, if you’re not into measuring, boxed cake mix works too! This is a judgement-free zone! Creating something from nothing is quite inspiring if you ask me. 

What are some things you do to get inspired?