Inspiration in everyday life: how to discover sources of creative energy

 

Inspiration is a force capable of transforming everyday life and igniting the creative energy within us. It serves as one of the key factors influencing our motivation, mood, and quality of life. While inspiration can come in various forms and from different sources, its search and conscious use are becoming important in our modern world saturated with information and demands. In this article, we will explore various aspects of inspiration, tell you where and how to find it to achieve personal growth, self-expression, and happiness. Inspiration has a positive effect on our mental state and physical health as a result. When the muse arrives and a surge of energy occurs, our brain releases neurochemicals such as dopamine, which cause positive emotions and a sense of satisfaction, a feeling of happiness. But you don't have to wait for a miracle to achieve this state – learn how to manage your mood using the online program "Mental Self-regulation". Inspiration also directly affects our self–esteem. When we successfully carry out creative or important tasks for us, it strengthens our sense of self-worth and competence, and confidence in our abilities appears. And this aspect can be kept under control with the help of effective techniques of the online program "Self-assessment 360". What is inspiration?

Inspiration is a state of peculiar tension or an emotional impulse that causes a strong feeling of inner excitement, excitement and enthusiasm, and upliftment of spiritual forces. It is a force that motivates us to take action, realize our plans and ideas, expand our creativity and help us achieve high results in various spheres of life [Psychologies, 2023]. Inspiration can come from a variety of sources, such as art, music, literature, nature, interpersonal relationships, other people's achievements, and one's own successes. It can be triggered by new ideas, attractive goals, exciting projects, or stimulating challenges. Everyone can find inspiration in unique things or situations that push them to further development and growth. It is important to note that inspiration is not only an emotional state, but also an active process that requires attention, openness and willingness to accept a challenge. When we are inspired, we feel inner motivation and strength to overcome obstacles, strive to achieve our goals and realize our dreams. Inspiration has a profound emotional and psychological effect on our lives, promoting personal growth, self-expression, and overall well-being. It helps us unlock our potential, promote creativity and enjoy the process of achieving our goals, rather than waiting for some result in inaction. In an interview with Harvard Business School, Professor Ranjay Gulati said that for many corporations, a deep understanding of purpose and inspiration are the fundamental keys to growth [Hbs, 2022]. According to him, ambitious goals are energizing, it is this position that senior executives of companies adhere to, and this already generates a sense of duty, an understanding that they have responsibilities to customers, related communities, employees and to the planet, to society as a whole, which means that they are thinking about the long term.

Employee engagement is also important – it is a fundamental component of workplace results for achieving the well-being of the company, developing managers, and increasing productivity. According to statistics from the US GALLUP consulting agency, the average employee engagement rate worldwide is about 20% [Gallup, 2023]. The low level of engagement indicates that four out of five employees work without enthusiasm, and therefore without inspiration. Is it possible to do without inspiration?

"Inspiration is a guest who does not like to visit the lazy", P. I. Tchaikovsky. Returning to the definition, let's remember that inspiration itself is an emotional impulse that releases creative energy. Usually this impulse arises as a result of some kind of action. It is not a fact that directly during the direct activity, rather, on the contrary, during relaxation and rest, but it should be preceded by something, it can be work on a complex and important project, searching for ideas, choosing options, etc. Inspiration is seen as a kind of force or energy that comes to people when they are actively and persistently engaged in a business or project. It does not manifest itself in relation to those who do nothing or make no effort in anything. By showing energy, motivation and perseverance in our work, we create conditions in which inspiration can appear and help us reach new heights in our creative activity. In complete inaction, this will remain an unattainable desire. On the other hand, inspiration itself is not the only factor determining the success of an activity. Achieving a goal requires hard work, dedication, the necessary skills and knowledge in a specific field, good time and resource management, adequate planning and organization, as well as the ability to overcome difficulties and adapt to changes. Some people may be motivated by external factors, such as material rewards or social recognition, and achieve success without being explicitly inspired. They can be disciplined and consistent in their work, driven by a desire to achieve specific goals or a desire to fulfill their responsibilities. So before you ask yourself, "How do I find a source of inspiration?", think about how much you really need it. However, inspiration still has its advantages. It can give activities more emotional meaning, increase energy levels for work, expand creativity, and strengthen internal motivation. Inspired people are more likely to show greater concentration, innovative thinking and high productivity [A. K. Belousova, 2019]. Thus, although successful work is possible without explicit inspiration, his presence can significantly improve work, help overcome difficulties and achieve higher results. Important aspects of Inspiration

Interestingly, inspiration has psychological and physiological aspects that are interconnected and have an impact on our condition and functioning. Psychological aspects: Emotional state. Inspiration causes positive emotions: joy, excitement, interest and enthusiasm. We feel excitement and energy, which motivates us to act and develop ourselves [AiF, 2017]. Motivation. Inspiration motivates us to strive for high goals, overcome difficulties and succeed in our activities. Inspired people usually have a strong desire to improve and achieve results. Creative potential. Inspiration stimulates the thinking ability beyond patterns and expectations. It helps to see new perspectives, generate ideas and find innovative solutions.

Physiological aspects: - Neurochemistry. Inspiration activates certain neurochemical processes in our brain. For example, increased levels of dopamine, a chemical associated with feelings of satisfaction and reward, may be associated with feelings of inspiration. - Physical activation. During inspiration, our physiology changes. For example, your heart rate increases, your breathing deepens, and your muscles tighten. This is due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares the body for action [VOUNB, 2023]. - Energy and endurance. They increase when we are inspired, so in these moments we often have greater physical and mental endurance, which allows us to achieve great things faster and more efficiently.

As you can see, inspiration is not only a muse, it is a powerful stimulator of important processes in the body. It has a positive effect on health, you can't argue with that. Obstacles on the way

There are a number of obstacles that make it difficult to find and receive inspiration. First of all, they should be reviewed and get rid of something, and revise something to make room for new creative energy: - Stress and overload related to work, personal life, or other factors. When the mind is overloaded and experiencing a lot of worries and worries, it is difficult to turn to creative ideas.

- The lack of time and space takes a lot of effort. If there is no way to set aside time to relax, reflect, and explore new ideas, getting inspiration can be difficult.

- Routine and monotony can lead to loss of interest and motivation. When everything is done out of habit and automatically, it is difficult to find new ideas and light a "spark".

- The lack of a stimulating environment, communication, a negative environment, or lack of support from colleagues or loved ones can negatively affect the emergence of a creative spark. Remove the bores, eternal skeptics and critics from the environment.

- Self-criticism and fear of failure, as well as negative thinking, suppress creative ideas and prevent inspiration. The fear of making a mistake distracts from the free flow of thoughts and ideas.

- Limited vision and narrow thinking limit the ability to see any possibilities. Being open to new ideas and perspectives can be the key to getting inspired.

- Health problems. Health is the basis. If something regularly hurts or causes discomfort in the body, it will distract and take away energy, and a person simply does not have enough resources for creativity in any field.

Removing these obstacles and creating an appropriate environment can help stimulate the release of creative energy. After that, the questions of where and how to find inspiration for drawing, writing a book or poetry, plans and scenarios arise less often – the muse comes much easier and more often. 15 Ways to Find Inspiration

As we have already found out, the main condition for getting inspiration is activity. Lying on the couch is hardly possible to catch a creative impulse if nothing, by and large, provokes it. You need an idea, motivation, and a problem to solve. And then you can look for a source that will help you find strength and release creative energy.

Sleep well

Quality sleep plays an important role in the process of getting inspiration. During sleep, our brain goes through various phases, including deep and rem sleep, which are considered important for mental recovery and information processing. So, during sleep, the brain processes and captures the information that we receive during the day: impressions, ideas and memories. Quality sleep contributes to the effective processing of this information and helps to see new connections and perspectives. At the same time, subconscious processes are activated that stimulate creative thinking and inspiration. Sleep is also important for relaxation and stress relief, restoring energy and mental balance. Read books and interesting publications

Reading has a significant effect on inspiration. There are many new ideas, perspectives, and emotional experiences in books, magazines, and interesting thematic publications that can become a source of inspiration for creative thinking. Reading helps to expand knowledge, discover new worlds and enrich vocabulary, which contributes to the formation of new ideas and approaches. Reading also allows us to learn from other people about their experiences, which can stimulate our own creativity and imagination. We bring to your attention a selection for inspiration "15 books that will turn your mind around." Draw abstractions

In this case, we are talking about intuitive drawing. There are several varieties of it, the most famous are right hemisphere painting and neurography. The essence of both is drawing with the suppression of the thought process. Guide the pencil the way you feel, not where your brain wants you to go. This activates the creative right hemisphere, which is associated with perception, creation, and feelings. Right-hemisphere painting or drawing abstractions will help to disconnect from anxiety and immerse yourself in a process that resembles a kind of meditation. In this state, insights, ideas, or just a stream of inspiration can come. This process is more manageable in neurography – drawing on given topics using certain algorithms. Watch movies

Watching movies is probably the most common way to get inspired. Do you remember how often you leave the auditorium feeling euphoric? The next time this happens, pay attention to your condition and try to make some kind of decision in it or immerse yourself in activity - any job will be disputed. Which genre to choose depends on your request, mood, and preferences. It can be a movie about how to find yourself – the 2011 film "Inspiration" or the 2016 thriller of the same name about the horror writer "Inspiration". For those who find themselves in a difficult psychological situation, the 2019 film Inspiration of the Year may seem interesting if you pay attention to how the main character gets out of her condition. You can get an idea for watching in any collection, for example, from our article "Top 10 motivating films for self-development." Take a walk in the woods and parks

Scientists have proven that people who live within 1 km of a park or forest are much less likely to experience stress and depression [Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2009]. The natural environment creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere, which helps to relieve stress and increase creativity. The forest has a natural beauty, a variety of colors, sounds and smells that can inspire a person and stimulate his imagination. And among the trees, you can break away from the daily worries and noise of the city, which promotes awareness and allows you to focus on your thoughts and ideas. Interacting with nature can bring about a sense of connection to something bigger, which can lead to deep reflection and new ideas. The forest is also a source of diversity of living organisms and ecosystems, which can expand perception and inspire new ideas and concepts.

Be alone

Being alone can contribute to inspiration, because at this time you are surrounded by a calm and continuous environment where you can focus on thoughts, inner experiences and ideas. It allows you to delve deeper into your own thoughts and develop creative concepts without external influences or distractions. If prolonged loneliness is not easy for you, retire for a couple of hours a day or a day a week. Give yourself a sound and noise detox to listen to yourself and sort out your thoughts. And being alone in the natural environment is a great combo for relaxation and finding inspiration [O. V. Shatalova, 2022]. Imagine yourself as someone else

In the book "The Artist's Path," author Julia Cameron suggests that readers use the technique of imagining themselves as someone else, an imaginary character who will represent you in the context of the creative process. He can be an artist, a writer, a musician, or any other creative individual. When you imagine yourself in the role of this imaginary character, you can feel more at ease in his role, imagine how you live his life. This will allow you to show great creative courage and experiment with new ideas. The technique helps you overcome the inner doubts and criticisms that stand in the way of the creative process, and allows you to turn your ideas and inspiration into creative projects. Even a fantasy stay in someone else's body will make you feel like you're in a new role, which means you'll have a chance to look at life and some situations from a new angle, and perhaps even catch some new ideas. Define the goals

Ask yourself the question: what do you really want? Can you describe the desire specifically? Write down your wishes on paper, think over all the details and steps to implement large-scale tasks. Setting goals plays an important role in finding and capturing inspiration. Firstly, it gives a clear idea of what we are moving towards, and secondly, a detailed desire helps to see the meaning and significance of what we are doing. This gives not only inspiration, but also a powerful motivation boost when there is a clear understanding of how and where to move. Dreams can and should be transformed into goals, and we'll tell you how to do it correctly on the online program "From a dream to a goal." Change the type of activity

Changing activities stimulates a variety of experiences and perspectives, which promotes creative thinking and opens up new sources of inspiration. It is important: do not just any activity, but the business that gives pleasure, so that you do not have to force yourself to do this something. It is optimal to take up hobbies, sports, reading – anything that can get you out of the routine at least for a while. Join the beautiful

This item will be especially interesting for those who are engaged in art. How do I find inspiration for creativity, painting, sketching clothes, interior design? The right way is to join the relevant experience of established representatives of creative professions. For example, you can visit a gallery, an artist's exhibition, or a fashion show. It is useful for musicians to attend a concert of a genre they are interested in, or better yet, a classical school. How do I find inspiration for fan fiction? Read authors in the same genre, chat with like-minded people on the forums. The same applies to any other figures – focus on those who have already succeeded.

Renovate the interior of your home

Bring a sense of novelty to the house: rearrange the furniture, add vegetation, make repairs – changes in the surrounding space will open up a place for inspiration on a wave of positive emotions. Sometimes renovation can make you feel like you've moved into a new apartment. The more significant the changes in the house, the brighter the new impressions, the more intense the impulse of inspiration you will receive. Ideally, you can move during the work so that you don't have to see the whole process of work, clutter and dirt. Upgrade your appearance

Changing your wardrobe, buying a new pair of shoes, changing your hair color, getting a haircut, getting a new tattoo, getting colored lenses – any action regarding your own appearance will be a way to change your mood and state to a more inspired and energetic one. You can lose weight and build up your muscles. Changes in appearance help to express individuality, uniqueness, increase a sense of comfort, which significantly relaxes and gives an incentive to creative activity, new ideas. In addition, we get visual inspiration from a new reflection, against this background, "wings" can literally spread and, again, new creative ideas appear. Remind yourself of your own achievements

Surely you have achievements under your belt, which are confirmed by diplomas, medals– any awards. These can be school or student cups, gratitude from adulthood, for example, for participating in charity or amateur activities. Perhaps you have some gifts from the people you helped. Collect all your trophies and put them in a prominent place so that from time to time you can remember what you could, which means you can now. Pleasant memories stimulate the production of hormones of happiness, which, in turn, give energy [RDC, 2019]. Travel

Even small outings will give you new impressions of the sights, immersion in a new environment, roads, time spent in a new place, give inspiration. When traveling, we enrich ourselves with emotions, knowledge, get out of our comfort zone and literally reboot. It is not uncommon for people to come up with new ideas and insights directly on the road, especially if the journey takes some time, when a person is sitting in a passenger seat, in an airplane seat or on a train. Try to get out of the house – visit the surroundings of the city, neighboring regions, you can always find travel options for an affordable time and budget. Use psychological techniques

In some cases, a person's condition does not allow them to independently get out of anxiety, tension, or depression using these options. In this case, it makes sense to switch to techniques aimed at working with emotions, feelings and their regulation. Learn them on the online program "Mental self-regulation". In extreme cases, it is advisable to resort to the services of a psychologist or treatment with a psychotherapist, depending on the clinical picture. If you have tried everything, but inspiration does not come, ask for a diagnosis and, if necessary, professional help. And more

How can a writer, artist, pastry chef, or designer find inspiration for a song? Easy and casual. Don't try to look for inspiration on purpose. Brainstorming won't help in this case – the mind offers mostly those solutions and options that it is already familiar with, which means that in your case they are most likely ineffective if you are looking for a creative impulse. Don't get hung up on the problem, relax and let go of control. It will take time for the brain to process the array of information and form a decision. Switch over. Inspiration will come unexpectedly, sometimes with a flash of insight. Sometimes ideas and creative impulses come at seemingly inappropriate moments. Don't miss them – if you don't have time to think here and now, write down the thoughts that suddenly pop up so you can savor them later. In the world of electronic gadgets, this is not a problem – create a file on your smartphone or in the online cloud, they are always at hand. Based on the above, we conclude that inspiration depends directly on the state of our psyche. If we are calm and relaxed, we have activity and an understanding of where we are going, creative impulses will not keep us waiting. Learn how to manage your mental state without using external stimuli on the online program "Mental Self-regulation". At the same time, we recommend that you improve your self-esteem on the online program "Self–assessment 360" - your manifestation and ability to stay afloat in any situation depend on it. Don't wait for inspiration – create, and it won't take long!