Where I Find Inspiration

posted 2nd November 2010    Written by: Doniree    CATEGORY: Doniree, Inspiration, Season 3

Pretty much ninety percent of the time, I’ve got a notebook and a pen with me.  The other 10% when I don’t have a physical pen and paper, I have the Notebook app and Evernote apps on my phone on the front/main screen of my iPhone, and they’re constantly being filled with ideas and jotted notes.

Inspiration hits at the most random times.  On my yoga mat’s a given.  Half-pigeon pose?  I’m dealing with feelings, emotions, and creativity.  Ideas run like crazy.  Final savasana?  Sometimes I transcend.  Other times I make grocery lists.  It really depends on the day, but just about demands that somewhere within my reach after class ends, I have a way to write down the epiphanies I had or the acorn squash I need to pick up at Safeway.

I also have really great ideas in the shower.  There’s something about being alone with your thoughts – no texting, no email alerts, no nothing except for cleansing steam, soap, hot water, and firing connections in my brain.

It’s pretty reliable that if I shower regularly and stick with my yoga practice, my mind stays fairly fresh and balanced, generating new ideas and connecting new thoughts all the time.

Except when it doesn’t.  And when I’m stuck, when I’m at a dead end, feeling uninspired, running up against the dreaded writer’s block, and staring at a blank computer screen or note book page – I have a few things in my arsenal that I pull out when I need to be inspired.

Here’s what I do when I need to kickstart creativity:

Do

Switch up my routine.  Take a different bus, work in a different coffee shop, go to a new yoga class.  Visit the gym at a different time of day than usual, try a new place for lunch.  Cook something new.  Do something that requires my brain to make new connections, try on new perspectives.

Cook.  There is something so incredibly therapeutic about cooking.  I love cooking for and with friends, but when I need to unplug and completely reconnect to me, I cook for me.  I concentrate on chopping vegetables, measuring tablespoons, waiting for oil to heat.  I turn garlic and onions carefully in the skillet, and study the contents of my cabinets and refrigerator for the right combination of flavors for the food that’s cooking.  I kitchen dance. I nourish my body, whether that means paying careful attention to get a ton of nutrients and vitamins in my system or if it means sinking into a rich, creamy bowl of soup or pasta.  Sometimes Doniree’s Test Kitchen works out well, and I come up with delicious meals that demand replication, and I share them with friends.  Sometimes it doesn’t work out so well and I toss more than I keep.  But it’s about the process as much as it’s about the flavors.  The process of learning what does and doesn’t work, and the process of such active participation in what I put into my body.  For me, there are fewer more reconnecting and inspiring acts than conscious cooking.

Hear

French Cafe music on Pandora.  When I need to write, I work well when I’m working with music that either doesn’t have words, or doesn’t have words in English.  If I can’t sing along, I focus more on what I’m doing.  Also, French music in general makes me daydreamy and romantic-feeling, so inspiration’s nearly a given.  Just try not to be inspired listening to Carla Bruni, eating croissants, and pretending you’re actually in a French cafe.  Just try.

Other [Mostly] Chick Music. Feist.  Florence and the Machines.  Lissie.  La Roux.  Yeah Yeah Yeahs.  Metric.  Karen O doing just about anything.  Taylor Swift.  The Weepies.  You get the idea.

Connect

Process. The people in my life are brilliant, smart, deep, spiritual, critical-thinking, bright lights of inspiration.  My boyfriend keeps me on my toes and holds me accountable to truly living what I believe in.  My girlfriends are radiant women who are authentic and honest.  Others in my life are motivated, smart, and inspiring.  Being in the presence of – and actively contributing to – relationships and conversation is a huge source of inspiration in my life.  They ask thought-provoking questions, hold me accountable to never being anything less than my most authentic self, and create a safe space for hashing out tough thoughts and feelings.

Surrender.  Admitting I’m stuck and surrendering to the void, to the unknown, to the frustration is typically when inspiration strikes the hardest.  I’m frequently held accountable to this idea and remind me to stop fighting the lack of inspiration and motivation and surrender into whatever the blockage is.  Surrendering is typically a sure-fire way to find the answers and ideas I’d previously been fighting so hard to find.

Move

Run, walk, stretch, twist, asana.  It’s no surprise, but getting physical is inspiring.  I run a couple of times a week at the gym, and typically listen to a podcast or upbeat music while I do.  Sometimes I listen to what’s on my iPod, sometimes I listen to what’s in my head.  Either way, the act of unplugging and hanging with you and your own body – within your own body – is really inspiring.  On top of that, I get to yoga at least a couple of times each week (my goal for November is 3-4 times/week).  I can’t sing loud enough the praises of what this practice does for connecting mind, body, and spirit.

These are a few of the things that work for me. What works for you?

{Photo credit: Rachel at Hello Gorgeous Photography}

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Comments (13)

13 Responses to “Where I Find Inspiration”

  • Harriet May Says:
    November 2nd, 2010 at 8:56 am

    I've really been struggling with inspiration right now, so this is what I need! I do love a little bit of NPR in the car or at work though, when I'm feeling a bit empty. And running, walking my dog, swimming, and generally being on my own too! I find it really useful to just be by myself and to surround myself with as little as possible– often when I'm in front of my computer I just get overwhelmed.

  • Doniree Says:
    November 2nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    But at least you had a notebook handy, right? I think the only way I could be quiet all week is if I had an OUTLET for the things that would surface in my mind!

  • deebuzzing Says:
    November 2nd, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Right on! I'm a firm believer in the conscious cooking method of inspiration. What is more important than, literally, what we are nourishing our bodies and minds with? Cooking mindfully is my go-to way to both unwind and recharge.

    Also, since I listen to the EXACT same lady artists when I need to kick my life up a notch, I'm interested to know what podcasts you like to listen to…

  • Doniree Says:
    November 2nd, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    My new favorite is: "Stuff Mom Never Told You." It's done by two women who work for/write for HowStuffWorks.com, and you should totally check them out. You can subscribe in iTunes. Totally worth a listen :)

  • Dream in Grey Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 1:14 am

    I love Stuff Mom Never Told You too – especially fun because I'm English.

    I am going to insert things into my do, hear connect and move boxes right now

  • nikki_klecha Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 8:46 am

    First of all, BEAUTIFUL picture! Secondly, thank you for this, I'm going to try all of these things. I tend to be really hard on myself & when I get stuck, I get mad. Thank you for this reminder to just be, just breathe, just listen, and just let it flow. xo

  • Renee Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 9:07 am

    I listen to SMNTY every morning on the way to school. They've inspired a few of my papers this semester… and possibly my thesis!

    I love to cook for me. I try to find one day a week where I can make a mess of my kitchen and CREATE. It's tough when there is literally too much to do in a day, but even if it means layering refried beans, salsa, and guac and dipping my chips in a half-assed layer dip while I study, that's something.

  • Doniree Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 10:22 am

    Thanks, Gracie! I love that everyone unplugs, reconnects, and finds their inspiration in such different ways!

  • Doniree Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 am

    Oh, I'd love to know what kind of cultural notes/differences you pull out of that!

  • Doniree Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 10:24 am

    They've definitely inspired some thought and I'm not surprised it's been used in your papers! And that dip – IS something! It's the process of creating. I just cooked broccoli by adding onions and turkey bacon and then added some leftover risotto. Gourmet stir fry? I think so!

  • Doniree Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 10:25 am

    Thank you! My friend Rachel (linked in the photo credit) is a GREAT photographer and took that picture last year when everyone was all "this is me without make-up!" photo-posting, ha.

    I get mad when I get stuck sometimes too – because sometimes my income or other commitments made require that I get creative. I think that's where it's important to know what gets you UNstuck – go get 'em girl!

  • Lindsey Says:
    November 3rd, 2010 at 6:36 pm

    I have to check out this podcast!

    And half-assed cooking with a little love? My favorite way to eat. Love this post, Doni!

  • Alisha Says:
    November 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am

    First–love, love, love me some Feist. Second–thank you for sharing this list. I totally never thought about listening to music in a foreign language. That makes total sense. I also have some of my best ideas in the shower.

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