I talked in my last post about how the environment around me has always served as my inspiration, and how adrift I feel once that is gone. But I know that there are other ways to feel inspired. Books, movies, parks, museums, music…there are so many things out there that can strike an idea that I just need to exercise my mind in finding and using those instead. And so, I made a list. A list of 20 things to try to find my creativity again. In this post, and those to follow, I will document my progress through this list - what is working for me, what’s not, and ultimately what I can figure out as far as “fixing” my inspiration desert.

1. Create everyday

2. Make a list (Things That Make Me Happy, Things I’m Grateful For, Random Things About Today, etc.)

3. Get rid of stuff

4. Make mistakes - “Creativity is stifled when a person approaches any creative endeavor with a fear of doing something wrong. Options are removed and possibilities are taken away. There have been tines when I have felt too intimidated by the fear of ruining apiece of art to allow myself to move on, though I knew that artwork was incomplete. This fear can sometimes hold me back from pushing my creative boundaries and stepping outside my comfort zone, which in turn can keep me from taking my art to the next level…art is all about risk. Creativity should not be bound. Once you embrace mistakes, the door swings open and the possibilities are endless.” Seth Apter

5. Make time for play