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Isabella Wen (she/her), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Finding inspiration is a big part of our lives and what it means to be human. Without inspiration, what would we live for? It motivates us to aim for greater things. It gives us passion. Whether you draw, paint, write, compose, dance, design or code, creation brings a type of wonder to our lives. That spark in someone’s eye, a drive that refuses to be ignored, a new perspective of the world we live in.

Becoming inspired isn’t always easy though- sometimes it smacks you straight in the face (kind of hard to miss), but most of the time it takes a little more digging than that. 

Some days you could be staring at the ceiling and a spark of creativity will ignite. A sudden surge of motivation, you’re ready to create the vision that suddenly popped into your head. 

Some days, or personally, I’d say most days, all you see is the ceiling. Not always do we feel this spontaneous emotion, and that’s okay. But if you’ve been lacking inspiration for a long time, that can be difficult and often leaves you feeling stuck.

Here comes the big question.

Can we create inspiration ourselves? Or must we always wait for it to hit us?

The truth is- many of us fail to indulge in our own creativity because we don’t feel like it. I remember the many times I had the opportunity to create but pushed it aside because I felt stuck.

If you’re having trouble finding inspiration, there are some things you can do to try and create it. Who knows, you might find something worthwhile.

 

Here are my 5 tips to create inspiration.

1. Take Risks

The best way to find inspiration is to take that leap of faith and try something new. Even the smallest risks can have big outcomes. Try making a new recipe tonight, volunteering, or even watching a movie you’ve never seen before.

1. Change in scenery

Sometimes we lack inspiration because we’ve been doing the same thing day after day for so long that we need something fresh. Try travelling to a local beach, park, or even an old place from your childhood.

1. Find purpose in everyday things

A contrast to tip 2, keep things the same. There’s beauty in everything we do, and sometimes we forget to appreciate that. Try doing whatever you normally do in a day, but practice awareness. Especially in routines, or things you consider a usual occurrence.

1. Take a walk down memory lane

Remember times in the past that inspired you. Go through some old photos, or just reflect on how far you’ve come. Maybe you’ll be reminded of a person, event, or a song that sparked something in you.

1. Exchange experiences with other people

Share stories with other people. Whether it be a family member, friend, coworker, or maybe even a stranger, people inspire each other all the time. I can guarantee that you’ll learn something new from every interaction.

No matter how you find or create your inspiration, it will never hand you success without hardship. When you’re given a seed, it doesn’t blossom in a day. Depending on the type of soil you use, the amount of water, your plant will differ from another person’s. Even if it came from the same seed.

Inspiration is an idea and the motivation to create. However, the way you interpret your inspiration may be different from other people. Ultimately, it’s your job to nurture it and grow it.

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Isabella Wen is a high school student who uses writing as both an outlet and a way to contribute to a community. She hopes to influence and inspire others through Low Entropy’s platform.