Cultivating Inspiration.
I’ve recently discovered something that feels a bit magical.
It’s probably not a secret; maybe you already know about it.
For the longest time I thought that I had to be “in the mood” to do the things I enjoy. Whether that was writing, photographing, drawing, going for a nice walk, or any other activity (but especially art). I thought I could only draw or write a poem if I was struck with inspiration, moved by something special. If I didn’t feel like doing these things that bring me joy, they just wouldn’t get done.
While it’s true that I feel as though I am continually inspired, every artist has their moments of feeling stuck, even me.
Feeling inspired on a recent walk around the neighborhood. You never know when it will hit you!
My recent project, Mystery & Manifestations, is nearing the finish line. The rough draft of the book is now done and has been going out to a few close friends for review. I am in the design process and reaching out to publishers for permission to use excerpts from other books within my own.
But back when I only had one chapter of the book left to write, I suddenly stopped writing. I was so close to completing the book, yet I just “didn’t feel like” writing that last little bit. What was stopping me? Finally, after weeks without any progress, I decided to just sit down and write. Maybe I could at least get a few thoughts down so that when I was in the mood to do the earnest work, I’d be in a better place.
What ended up happening was that as I started to write, the inspiration I was lacking came to me. Those notes I thought I would jot down turned into a full chapter. After I finished that, I also wrote the About the Author Page. I think I even did some editing on previous sections of the book.
By simply making the time to do this thing that I enjoyed, the creative energy flowed through me and moved me to write something that I felt pretty good about.
Making a pitstop on my way to a job one evening, I took out my trusty Holga and let the inspiration flow.
I believe in the philosophy of “fake it till you make it.” It has served me well, delivering me from a world of negative thoughts into a place where I value myself and the world around me. I think this credo can work with art too. If you aren’t feeling inspired, fake it. When you make yourself make your art, doing this thing that you love will energize you. It may not end up being your masterpiece, but often the process of creating is more important than the finished product.
If your creative practice is important to you, make the time. It will be worth it.
