I
don't know about you, but it can be hard to stay inspired!!.
I don't know about you, but it can be hard to stay inspired
By this time of year. It's cold outside. It gets dark really early. The
holidays are all but over (for a while anyway). Maybe it's just me, but these
seemingly simple factors can get me feeling like I'm stuck in a rut. So I've
been trying to dream up ways to keep myself staying inspired and motivated. And
it's got me thinking about what it means to live an inspired life.
I first want to clarify that I'm not talking about living an
inspiring life. An inspiring life is pretty lofty, like a hero. I think Steve
Jobs led an inspiring life, or Audrey Hepburn or Eleanor Roosevelt. Trying to
live an inspiring life puts the focus on others. I'm not sure it's wise to go
about life trying to impress or gain approval from others. Instead I think we
should focus on ourselves. Try to impress yourself. Try to top your best
efforts. Set up your life, so in the end you will look back and be proud. And that's
what I mean by living an inspired life. But how in the world do you do that
when we all feel so busy and tired, and well... uninspired?
1. It's about
attitude, not circumstances.
Wouldn't it be cool if every single day we faced big
opportunities that could change our lives? What if every day was the Olympic
race we'd been training for or the job interview we'd been dreaming of for
years? Guess what, it's not. Every day is just that: It's every day. But it's
the little steps that propel us forward. The same attitude you would apply to a
big important event, that's how you should approach your everyday tasks. For
example, let's say your dream was to write a novel. And you think, "If
only I had a book deal, then I would wake up early every day and write." Wrong.
You should do that anyway, without a book deal. You've got to have the attitude
of the inspired even if you don't have the circumstances (yet).
2. It's your
choice.
Inspiration is not always going to find you. There are times
when you just don't feel it. Maybe the weather has you feeling blue (that's how
I'm feeling this week!). Maybe you are going through some painful
circumstances, like a break up or losing your job. Maybe you have started
receiving a lot of criticism over your work, and it's got you feeling like you
don't even want to create anymore. Or maybe you're just tired, feeling worn out
and in need of a break. We all go through situations like these. And chances
are, your heroes went through them too. It's hard. But it's your choice how you
will deal with it. You can choose to press on or be defeated. The power is in
your hands! This may sound like a responsibility or chore, but I think it's
super empowering. It puts the ball in our court.
3.
Get out and dream.
Sometimes you just need to go somewhere and fill a notebook
with a ideas. It's necessary. You can do this at home, if you are able to
escape there. I often find myself compulsively cleaning when I'm home. And
that's because my house is, apparently, always a mess. Ha! So sometimes it's good
to get out. You don't have to go to Europe to find yourself. (But you can, of
course. :) Here are 10 places to get inspired.
1. A Flea Market. I love a good flea market break because I
can grab a coffee and browse the aisles for treasures while clearing my mind.
As an added bonus, I often find objects that I can use for my creative projects
like home decor items or DIY ideas!
2. A Farmers' Market. I love visiting a local farmers market
for inspiration. I pick up fresh food and flowers for my home and look for new
ingredients that I haven't tried before. The best thing about a Farmers' Market
is the abundance of color. It's a wake up call for my senses and I love
that!
3. The Library. Your local Library is a fun and free spot
for endless inspiration. Find your section and search for fresh ideas or try
learning about something new!
4. A Local Historic District. Your local historic district
is the best place to take a long walk and find a quiet place to write or sketch
in a journal. The beautiful buildings will inspire you. It's good to get out of
your environment to reset your mind.
5. A Picnic Alone. As much as I love picnics with my husband
a creative picnic alone can be nice too. I bring a quilt, a journal and a pen.
Something about the act of driving to a park and sitting there waiting for
inspiration always invites it in. I never leave without new ideas!
6. A Coffee Shop. Anyone who has ever worked from home
understands the value of a good coffee shop. Sometimes you just need to get out
of the house, but you still want to work. Coffee shops are a nice change of
pace. It's fun to get a treat and soak in a different environment for a
bit.
7. A Nursery or Flower Shop. I love shopping for plants.
Having little breaks like this can spark creativity or allow time to decompress
in the middle of a stressful day. I always feel inspired and happy after buying
a new plant for my home or a bouquet of fresh flowers. It's a simple
exercise that can act as the perfect "me time".
8. A Country Drive. When you really really need some time to
think, consider a long drive in the country. You can listen to some music, sing
really loud or find a spot to stop and journal. A country drive is a great way
to take time for yourself and make space for creative thinking!
9. Shopping. Once in a while I can get really inspired by
shopping. It doesn't seem to matter where I shop... I just need to be in a busy
place with lots of color, texture and sound. Sometimes I'll go shopping for
fabric or supplies or even for clothing. A shopping break can be a good place
to get inspired.
10. A Bookstore. Once or twice a month I head over to our
local Barnes and Noble and pick up a huge stack of magazines. Sometimes when
I'm feeling blue I'll purchase a book on a new skill I want to learn. I always
feel better when I'm done. Sometimes it's good to get inspired by someone
else's hard work... magazines and books are a great way to do this!
If one sounds interesting or doable to you make a plan to go
there this weekend and dream, make goals and start living inspired. Good
luck!!!
This Article was written By:
Mr.Nnamdi Anyikwa.
He is a student’s Activist, Politician, and a Philanthropist.
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