Inspiration Chasers – How to Fake it!
We’ve all been in a position where our plans for the day have been scuppered by an unforeseen incident. A phone call you didn’t want to receive, some bad news, perhaps it’s smashing your favourite mug, getting up late and rushing to get the kids off to school.. whatever it is, it almost certainly puts us on the back foot and that can be the reason your previously well planned day, falls apart spectacularly.
So imagine the scenario.. you wake up full of focus and energy, then bam! one thing after another starts to go wrong. Suddenly, when the dust settles and it’s time to focus on the task at hand, there’s a sour taste left and absolutely no drive to do anything. That once vibrant day so full of promise is now much greyer and all you can think of doing is eating a whole packet of hob nobs and binge watch daytime TV under a duvet. I think at this point you can tell I’m speaking from experience. Now imagine that your job depends on inspiration. It’s literally what pays the bills. Imagine that without it, there’s no productivity, no drive and absolutely no end result. Inspiration is to the artist or writer, what fuel is to a car. You need it to work. You can’t move forward without it.
So how do we get around it? Its a common misconception to believe that inspiration is something we simply fall across. Something that jumps out at us and is as fleeting as the wind. Well, it can be, but it’s also something that can be manufactured. You just need to know how..
Lets start by looking at the weather. There’s little you can do about it. If the sun is shining, our job as inspiration chasers is already half done. If you’re feeling glum then a wander in it’s rays usually lifts the spirits. But what if it’s not? What if it’s raining, it’s grey, it’s windy and it’s cold? What then? A wander in it is rarely going to make you feel open to new ideas or relaxed. So we have to use it as our canvas and work with what we have. The weather is diabolical so lets look at it’s opposite. How can we create instant warmth and comfort? Turn the heating up. Get the kettle on, light your favourite scented candle and go find your favourite socks or boots. Your environment is warm, your body is warm. Suddenly the weather isn’t quite as depressive. Suddenly, it’s ‘cosy’.
Next you need to fuel yourself. Think about what it is you’re doing to your body. Caffeine is great for that initial hit (and well lets face it, it tastes amazing!) but have too much and you’ll end up jittery. You need something to fuel your engine. Toast and a cuppa? I absolutely love avocado and tomato on toast! But don’t overdo it on the carbs either or you’ll hit a wall, feel sluggish and never get around to anything. Now consider your brain. The only thing your brain needs to fuel itself is glucose. Grab yourself a glass of fruit juice for a boost and avoid the sugary treats (however tempting) as they’ll also leave you in a slump.
Now we’ve set the scene, a cosy environment and a body that’s got energy, it’s time to clean off the problems of the morning. Grab a shower! Even if you’ve already had one. Wash away the negativity. Not a bath, that brings your energy levels down and we need to be lifted and inspired to work. If you have a favourite or fancy soap, use it plentifully and lather up your arms especially. When you brush your hair out of your eyes or rub your nose or touch your face at all, you’ll smell it and it’ll lift you up.
Now lets dress. For me, when I chase inspiration I have my ‘go to’ attire. A pair of nautical espadrilles, blue skinny jeans, an oversized white shirt and a blue and white striped scarf. I even don my favourite starfish earrings. As a coastal artist, I like to dress as though I’m about to wander down a Cornish harbour, taking in the sounds of the seagulls overhead, smelling the seaweed drying in the sun and watching the tide lift the boats from the sand. You’ll always catch sight of yourself in your peripheral vision or if you walk past a mirror and that’ll serve as a constant and mood lifter. Your inspiration is starting to flow.
Now it’s time to dig up your internal mood board. The images and visions you conjure when you’re daydreaming. Where do you fancy going on holiday this year? (don’t consider cost or money, it’ll bring you crashing back to reality. Just think in pictures). What is it you love about the place? Whats your favourite memory? Now take the mind a little deeper.. what do you want to achieve knowing how happy this places makes you? Would you love a holiday home there? A few more holidays there a year? Maybe you’d like to decorate your home in the same colours? Again, we’re using your imagination, your hopes and your loves to create a comfortable and inspiring place, mentally. You’re creating inspiration. If you have a magazine that you love looking through – not a celebrity gossip one, then grab it. Use something like a home decor mag, a coastal or country living one etc. Have a quick flick through in the kitchen while you pour yourself a glass of water. Carry it around with you. Again, you’re not looking to stop and settle down, we need to keep your mind active and moving. Then set it down on the table opened to your favourite page. You’ll catch sight of it when you walk past throughout the day and it’ll stir up that warm, excited feeling.
Now, how do you feel? Self love is an incredibly important part of your daily routine. When we ignore it or avoid it, the end result can be extremely detrimental. So what was it you were planning on doing? Do you need or want to paint? Had you planned on writing or need to finish an assignment? Is it a well deserved day off and you just wanted to be in a happy-go-lucky mindset to finish the household chores or at the very least, feel like the day wasn’t wasted? Well there you go. Here’s how. Do you feel better from just reading about the simple ways you can manufacture inspiration without stepping foot outside the door? Is it an exciting prospect to know that next time it all goes a bit wrong, there are always ways of reversing it all and most of it is simple psychology.
Of course there are always ways of creating inspiration and if you’re able to wander to a favourite place then you should. The fresh air will work wonders. Take a camera or use the one on your phone. You don’t ever need to use the photographs, but the process of capturing the sky, the trees, some of your favourite architecture etc is therapeutic. This works just as well with a sketchbook. Alternatively, if you can go for a sneaky coffee and take a journal with you, and / or wander around the shops, then do so.
Don’t just wait for the opportunity, create it.
Rhiannon x
