Losing your inspiration after a big project can make you feel like Dorothy in the middle of a tornado. It can feel like a downward spiral of hopelessness and despair, minus the munchkins and a well-dressed green witch. However, like Dorothy, your inspiration can be found at “home”, not your real home, but a place in your soul or mind where you can rest, breathe and find your inspiration again.
We have found some ways to help you stay inspired.
“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom”. — Soren Kierkegaard
Stay Healthy.
- We are not saying sign up for a marathon tomorrow, but we are saying get enough sleep or even use your lunch break to take a quick coffee nap.
- Take a walk or practice some yoga poses, something to keep your body moving.
- Eat brain food: fish, whole grains, berries, nuts and green leafy veggies.
“When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” – Linda Naiman
Plan your day and take breaks.
- Write down your task or the top three things you want to accomplish that day.
- Use the 52/17 Rule (or whatever time ratio you like), work for 52 minutes and refocus for 17 minutes.
- Take a few moments to reflect on the work you have done for the day.
“I shall become a master in this art only after a great deal of practice.” — Erich Fromm
Challenge your brain.
- Learn something new, take a fun and affordable class from Skillshare.
- Read the latest best-seller or a “banned” book.
- Use online challenges and resources to find new ways to create in your sketch book.
- Recharge at an AIGA event, surrounding yourself with others who love what you love will help rejuvenate your creative juices.
- Browse a museum to discover what others have created.
“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.” — Edward de Bono
The true key to finding inspiration is never losing it, but sometimes one does not know it is gone until it is too late. It is important, at the beginning, of your design career to develop good strong habits, that will aid in your success as a designer. When you find yourself losing your creative juices, take a few moments to clean your work area, grab a snack and take a 17 minute break.
“The wastebasket is a writer’s best friend.” — Isaac Bashevis Singer
