By: Anca Budau
How can I be inspired? I'm not an artist.
We can describe inspiration in two ways.
The first of these is that inspiration is a state of mind. It is when we say of ourselves that "we are in a period of inspiration." Personal creativity is very strong, the sense of observation is present all the time and the results of this state are materialized in special works. This is due to the intense activity of a part of our brain. We are able to make logical connections and "see" where we usually did not see anything. We are able to discover the unknown.
The other way of looking describes inspiration as action. It is when we say that "for a moment the inspiration came to me". This is due to the sudden response caused by a part of our brain. It generates unexpected conclusions, often intense moments. For example, when we are in a position to photograph a fact that lasts a short time. Somehow, without thinking, we find the best solution and when we are "clear-headed" and look at the result, we can not believe it. We are really amazed at how we found this solution.
Both ways of looking at this subject lead to a common conclusion: inspiration produces the awareness of a part of ourselves, usually unknown. It is a gate of inner discovery.
Without taking psychology lessons, we can say that the human mind has two parts: the conscious and the unconscious. The first refers to the known things and to the rational logical connections. The second refers to the hard-to-reach part of our mind, which still exists and which constitutes our psychological substrate. Both sides have activity. If the conscious part is familiar to us, the activity of the unconscious part is almost unknown to us. And yet, this unknown piece of us works for us, helps us, guides us, and gives us answers when we need them. Inspiration is nothing but the product of this unconscious activity of the human mind that becomes conscious, revealing itself through often remarkable results. In other words, when we are inspired, we find out what happened in our minds, when we didn't even suspect that something had happened.
Inspiration arises from an "irrational background" of information that is united by logical connections outside the conscious. It basically creates in yourself an all-homogeneous, coherent, logical thing that you know nothing about / are not aware of. The moment this product of the unconscious mind is revealed to the conscious, we call it the "moment of inspiration." Inspiration basically produces nothing. It shows what our unconscious nature has already produced.
What interests us most is: how do we cultivate inspiration?
I believe that in order to be inspired you have to trust your hidden possibilities. You have to let them work, giving you patience. It is necessary to feed them, through study and conscious accumulation. These conscious accumulations become unconscious the moment we "forget" about them. After all, if we forgot them, we didn't lose them, we just put them on a shelf, somewhere, and we don't use them anymore. Somehow this consciously assimilated fund enters our routine, creating "natural" paths of action. We can say that to be inspired is like stationary fishing: lure and wait. Sometimes the fish comes, sometimes it doesn't. So patience and study are the essences of inspiration.
Another thing I would like to point out is related to the appearance of inspiration. It often appears as a reaction to an external stimulus. We see something and our inspiration strikes us. Because of this, it has been linked to the idea that it comes from somewhere outside of us ("that inspires us") and not from something inside. However, inspiration is the result of an inner process. The fact that it manifests as a reaction to an external stimulus does not mean that if I receive those stimuli, I will always be inspired. It will only appear when the unconscious mind has something to say. In other words, inspiration comes from within and not from without.
How to always find your inspiration?
• Take a break
When you are stressed and feel pressure for various reasons, no matter how fun and creative your job is, you need a break to find your inspiration and motivation! Stop what you're doing. Go outside; Listen to a song you like; Or take a nap. In a few moments, you will return to work with fresh strength and new ideas.
• Travel!
Through travel and relating to new people, it is easiest to find your inspiration. That's why you should go out, walk and visit places you've never seen before, whenever you have the opportunity!
• Try something new
Take a course; Do something you've never done before; Always do your best and push your limits! Inspiration can come from the most unexpected activities!
• Test your talent
You are probably not the most skilled painter you know, but playing with watercolors could work wonders for your inspiration. So is pottery, calligraphy or any other creative activity.
• Reflect
Think of something you enjoy doing and how it helps to improve the society in which you live.
• Get lost in nature
Make time and go to a place with lots of greenery. Forget all worries and indulge in nature. Inspiration will come from there!
• Look at something that inspires you
There are a lot of videos and movies that could help you find inspiration. Do a Google search for the topic that interests you and start there!
• Teach someone something!
Did you know that the best way to learn is to teach someone what you want to learn? When new information seems impossible to assimilate, try to explain it to someone as you understood it and you will see how easy it will be for you to retain it! Same with inspiration! Talk to others about the things that inspire you and the ideas will start to appear.
• Read, read, read!
When it comes to reading, inspiration can be right around the corner! Read as much as possible, from as many different fields as possible, and put your mind to the contribution! If you don't have a favorite literary genre, start with some of the most popular books today. Believe me! You will realize what you like to read faster than you hope!
• Make a list of things you would like to try
Writing helps you a lot to better visualize the things you have to do. Put your thoughts in order on a piece of paper and you will see how solutions to your questions will start to appear!
• Create a collage to inspire you
Print and cut out pictures and photos to inspire you and paste them in a visible place near your workspace. Whenever you feel uninspired or bored, they will remind you of your main goals and give you an energy boost!
• Talk to your friends about their ideals
Often the inspiration comes from those around you! Listening to others' dreams and encouraging them to follow their path can be one of the easiest ways to find inspiration for yourself.
• Find the good side of everyone you know
Everyone has good and bad parts. You try to focus only on the first of them and see something positive in anyone around you! This way you will become more creative, more optimistic, and certainly more inspired!
Who always feels inspired? Sometimes, even for the most creative of us, ideas are left to wait, and to make them appear, we need a little encouragement. And other times, just a little patience. Fortunately, in crisis situations, there are countless methods by which you can always find your inspiration!