If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re looking for inspiration! Whether that’s for your blog, your job, or just daily life, it can be easy to get into creative ruts. When it comes to blogging, sometimes I’m the motivation queen and I find inspiration everywhere I look. But other times, like the last few weeks, I struggle with keeping that inspiration going. When I’m stuck in a rut, these are my 5 favorite tips to find inspiration!
1. Take a break.
Taking breaks is SO underrated. I know that for me, personally, I feel like if I’m not constantly doing something, I’m failing. But the truth is, that isn’t a healthy way to live. Burnout is very real, and I think the best way to move past is to acknowledge it – not to fight it. Take a break in whatever way you can. You don’t need to stop everything to take a break! For me, a blogging break can be as simple as consistently posting on Instagram but not on my blog for a week or disconnecting from Instagram for the weekend. If you’re feeling major burnout from a creative job, you can’t stop doing it, but you can be intentional about when you do it.
PRACTICAL TIP: If you’re burnt out on Instagram, give yourself the weekend off of even checking it!
2. Change your routine.
It’s so easy to lose inspiration just by getting stuck in your routine! Instead of forcing yourself to stick with the same things you always have, change it up! For the past few years, I wrote my blog posts the night before they were going to be published. In a lot of ways, this was awesome because it helped with my discipline. But recently, I’ve been so tired at the end of the day and out of creative energy that I haven’t wanted to write a word! Instead of forcing myself to work when I really didn’t want to, I switched up my routine. Now I wake up just 30 minutes earlier on Tuesday and Thursday to write out the day’s post. It’s a great way to start my day and the change in routine keeps things fresh!
PRACTICAL TIP: Switch two activities in your schedule (I.e. workout, prayer time, writing time, etc) for each other to keep things fresh!
3. Don’t compare.
Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook. They are full of people who seem to have neverending streams of inspiration. But we all know that isn’t true! Everyone goes through creative ruts, no matter what they’re feeds look like. Instead of comparing yourself to the women you see, take a step back and think about your accomplishments. You’re probably burnt out because of how much you’ve been working, so celebrate that hard work! Whether you had a breakthrough in a creative project, someone told you they were proud of you, or you knew what you were doing was important, you can find so many reasons to be happy about what you’re doing.
PRACTICAL TIP: Put down your phone and do a happy dance. Then, when you pick your phone back up, let someone know how you’ve been feeling, whether that’s a friend or all of your followers.
4. Rest in your true identity.
Truth time: I find that my feelings are swayed way too easily by outside accomplishments or failures. If I get constructive criticism, I take it personally. If I get complimented about my work, I feel proud of it. Finding joy in your true identity isn’t easy, especially in a world that places so much emphasis on what we accomplish here and now. I constantly have to remind myself that God made me exactly as I am, and He loves me for that person, regardless of how much content I produce or how well I do in school. When I lean into that truth instead of pushing against it, I find inspiration in so many new ways, because the pressure isn’t there anymore!
PRACTICAL TIP: Write out a list of the things you find pride or happiness in. When you see it written out on paper,
5. Remember why you started.
Why did you start blogging? Writing your novel? Making art? My guess is, at the end of the day, it wasn’t for money or fame… It’s because you have a story to tell. Remember the reason you started doing what you’re doing, and you’ll probably realize that you’ve already done it, even if you didn’t know. I’ll share my own example: I started my blog because I loved reading blogs, and every time I read someone share their story, I felt less alone. I have visible affirmation from comments and DMs, but then I remember, that isn’t everything! I’m writing my blog for the girl who stumbles upon it after going through a hard time. Whether or not she reaches out to me doesn’t change the fact that I’ve done what I set out to do.
PRACTICAL TIP: If you haven’t evaluated why you started what you’re doing in a while, reevaluate! Physically write out your purpose so you have a visible sign to refer back to.
So, what are your favorite ways to find inspiration?! I’d love to know!
xoxo, Cecilia
1 Comment
This is a great post with useful tips. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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