Five Things You Can Do Right Now to Boost Your Inspiration

When you hear the words “Creative Retreat” what do they bring to mind? Perhaps you envision a cabin in the woods, light streaming through the windows and a fire crackling in the hearth. Maybe there’s a table filled with supplies and days without obligations. Is there a magical garden just outside the door? Delicious and healthy meals, ready and waiting?

Is this, or something similar what you think of when you imagine an art retreat? It does sound wonderful, but we don’t need special circumstances to boost our inspiration.

My art retreat this month is taking place in the middle of my day-to-day work. I can shuffle some of my projects to make more room for play, but I still have work to do. (Some of it is fun. A couple of my recent projects include collaborations with Laura Bray and Dana Barbieri — I can’t wait to share them with you!). My studio is in my home so the lines between work and home can sometimes blur. Quin needs cuddles, often just as I’ve put paintbrush to paper. Clara needs walks. I still have laundry and vet appointments and cooking and dishes.

My days this month are just like any other. What’s different is me.

do you see the heart on my palette?

I’ve given myself the opportunity this month to reframe my days. To switch up my schedule. To get carried away with playful explorations just for me.

Sometimes it can be daunting to know where to begin. Do you feel it, too? You’ve set aside the time and cleared away distractions, but now what? What do you do if you’ve made the space but inspiration still isn’t flowing?

Here are a few things that work for me:

1. Get outside

Being in nature is the best way I know to get in touch with my inspiration. It awakens my curiosity. It calms me. It brings me joy. There’s always something new to discover when I open my eyes and pay attention. Except for the coldest days this winter, I made sure to go for long walks every day, not just for Clara, but for me. The physical act of walking is good for my body and my mood. Plus it gives me the opportunity to notice even the tiniest of seasonal changes as they happen. With spring arriving more and more each day, my walks have felt magical lately.

This week it was even warm enough for me to bring a basket of supplies outside and soak up the sun. It was just what I needed. (Clara loved it, too!).

2. Do something different

Do you feel like you’re “stuck in a rut”? The phrase itself is a good reminder that doing the same thing over and over can zap our inspiration. It’s amazing how good it feels to do something different. Sitting outside to work was different for me this week, but I’ve also continued to flip my schedule and start my days with sketchbook play. I’m trying some different media, too, including inspiration from Sarah Hand’s new book (stay tuned).

Even something as simple as walking down a different road, eating something different for breakfast or trying a different tea can help us be open to possibilities. Listen to music if you usually enjoy silence or turn off the music if it’s always on. Explore a different medium or sample different crafts. Change the place where you work or rearrange your furniture. Even the smallest changes can make a big impact.

3. Get organized

Cleaning and organizing your creative space and supplies is a great way to shake loose your creative energy. It’s the perfect way to get started when you don’t have any idea what to do. It gives you a specific task to complete, one that doesn’t require a lot of thought. Plus, the end result is so satisfying. Another bonus: going through art or craft supplies will remind you of what you have, often reviving your inspiration or allowing you to recall a project or idea you’d forgotten about. I try to give my studio a thorough cleaning after every big project, but when I’m in the middle of creating I don’t worry about the mess.

One thing to remember, if you’ve set aside time for creativity, don’t use it to organize your clothes closet, the bathroom cupboard or the junk drawer in your kitchen. Tackling those tasks is procrastination, taking you away from your inspiration.

4. Write in your journal

My journal is my daily companion. It’s where I work out ideas and vent frustrations. Where I observe the changing seasons and record interesting happenings. If I’m feeling stuck, it often helps to answer the question “why?”. Sometimes, though, my scribbles become more habit than helpful. Slowing down and taking time with my journal always brings me back to myself. It’s a beautiful place to dream, too.

I think most of us don’t spend enough time dreaming.

I don’t. Do you?

5. Revisit to-do lists (and sketchbooks and journals)

I have lists everywhere, ideas written in notebooks and on scraps of paper. Plans jotted on post-its and notepads. Gathering my lists together is a great way to jog my memory and return to earlier inspiration. In the same way, revisiting my journals (especially the entries around the new year and my birthday) can remind me of ideas I’ve never followed through with. My sketchbooks, too, are a treasure trove of inspiration. I think back to my interview last year with Jenny Blair and what she said about how she uses her sketchbooks. Looking through my sketchbook pages always energizes me.

I hope this gives you a few ideas to try to boost your inspiration, whether you’re embarking on a creative retreat this month or just looking to reconnect with your creativity.

What have you been doing lately to feed your creativity?