6 Daily Practices to keep a steady flow of inspiration!

How to keep a steady flow of inspiration as a creative

As creatives, we are always searching for an inspirational muse to spark our creative minds for our next masterpiece. Unfortunately, creativity itself is a magical and unpredictable force. Some days, inspiration will flow effortlessly, like an endless river carving its path through the creative landscape. But on other days, it feels as if our creative well has completely run dry, leaving us staring at a blank page or canvas, unsure how to even begin.

If you have ever found yourself in a creative block, you know how frustrating it can be. Self-doubt quickly finds its way into our minds, and we start to wonder if our passion is still alive just because the magic touch of inspiration no longer lingers. Add frustration to the entire creative process, and we quickly turn our back on our masterpiece until the muse arrives again, if she ever does.

Because I know firsthand how frustrating it can be. I am sharing 6 easy daily practices I have learned along my writing journey to keep that spark of inspiration alive.

1. Dare to daydream

Yes, you read that right! Something as simple as letting yourself daydream is a well-known way of finding inspiration. Daydreamers are often creatives because they use that unseen gateway to tap into their imagination. Giving your mind the space to wander freely allows you to find new ideas and fresh perspectives.

Next time you are sitting in a park, looking out a window, or riding the bus, allow yourself to let your thoughts drift. Don’t force it in any direction. Only observe where your mind takes you. Maybe you will start imagining a story about the people you see around you, or an idea for a painting will emerge from the clouds shifting in the sky. Capture these snippets in a journal or a note app on your phone. Even the smallest, most fleeting thought could become the seed for your next creative project.

What if your next great idea is just a daydream away?

2. Be curious

From childhood on, our mind has led us with curiosity. We learn to walk, speak, explore our feelings, and understand what hurts us but also what brings us joy in life. Because our curiosity invites us to learn, try, and explore what sparks our interests.

Creativity itself thrives on curiosity. The more you feed your mind with new experiences, the more material it has to draw from when you sit down to create.

Here are some ways to cultivate curiosity:

• Read a book on a topic you know nothing about.

• Watch a nature documentary.

• Read up about different cultures or historical events.

• Try a new coffee shop or restaurant and take in the atmosphere.

• Strike up a conversation with people around you.

  
  

By embracing curiosity, you will expand your creative palette. Small, seemingly unrelated curiosities can lead you towards new creations.

3. Spend time in nature

There is a reason poets, painters, and philosophers have long been drawn to nature. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors reduces stress and enhances creativity.

Nature has been one of my greatest muses while writing. The serene sense of being among the aliveness of the earth, the sunlight peeking through the branches, the melody of birds chirping their songs. There is beauty in the small wonders of life that we can observe by just noticing our surroundings during a walk outside.

So, the next time you feel stuck with a creative block, go for a walk in the park, hike a nearby trail, or simply sit outside and observe. Pay attention to the details: the way sunlight filters through the trees, the rustling of leaves, the rhythm of a flowing river.

Let nature’s effortless beauty inspire you.

4. Sit in Stillness

Our world is filled with noise, notifications, responsibilities, and constant stimulation. But creativity often emerges in moments of quiet. When was the last time you just sat in silence with no agenda and allowed yourself to be bored?

I agree it does not sound productive, but did you know that boredom boosts the creative mind? When we feel bored, our mind will automatically wander through its surroundings and thoughts in search of something to occupy ourselves with. Offering you new ideas, new perspectives, and new sparks of inspiration in the process.

Another way of sitting in stillness is the practice of meditation. There are many different ways to meditate (I will be delving deeper into this practice in a later post). You can start by allowing yourself to sit comfortably in stillness for 5-10 minutes, gently notice your breath, take in your surroundings, and let your mind wander to see what thoughts surface.

It might feel uncomfortable at first, but allowing space for your thoughts to search and wander can unlock unexpected creative breakthroughs.

5. Be Kind to Yourself

Getting upset with yourself because you are not feeling inspired is like poking a turtle to move faster. It is not productive, and you will only end up with annoying and upsetting the turtle.

As a creative, we often force ourselves with deadlines that weigh down the entire creative process even more. Be gentle with yourself. Slow progress is still progress, even if it presents itself with only one line or brushstroke today.  

Creativity is a living, breathing process which cannot be forced.

Instead, step away for a moment and engage in something that brings you joy. These can be other creative projects like sketching, coloring, painting, making music, dancing, or any other creative outlets you enjoy doing. Maybe inspiration needs a breather from one project but is still found for another. Give yourself the space to move between projects.

Here is a small recap for you to take in:

• Give yourself permission to take a break from your current project.

• Work on a different creative project for a while.

• Remind yourself that even slow progress is progress.

• Set realistic expectations. Some days, writing one sentence or sketching one line is enough.

• Give yourself space to move between projects.

  
  

Being gentle with ourselves and understanding the creative process will keep the river of creativity flowing instead of blocking it off with frustration and anger. Keep going, even if you tap into a different stream for a while.

6. Create Anyway

It might sound counter-intuitive, but sometimes, the best way to break through a creative block is to create anyway. You don’t need to wait for inspiration to strike! You can spark it yourself by taking action!

This morning, when I started writing this blog, my mind was completely blank. I sighed as I only had a title worked out for this post. But once I sat myself down at my keyboard, inspiration took over! And here we are, almost at the end of our blog post.

Not feeling inspired does not mean that inspiration won't come during the creative process. Sometimes, it might just need that little nudge before it starts flowing.

When it doesn't, take a step back. As I have said before, inspiration can't be forced. Maybe some of the previous practices might be just the thing for you to try and return to your project later in the day to see if anything does start flowing.

Here are some practices that have helped me when I felt stuck:

• Free write for 10 minutes without stopping

• Write short-form poetry (haiku or elfchen)

• Make a mood board on Pinterest.

• Play around with graphic designs.

• Enjoy a different creative form (coloring, painting, pottery, music, crafts)

  
  

Even if what you create is not perfect (and be honest, perfection is overrated), the act of making something keeps the creative energy flowing.

Final Thoughts: Creativity is a Journey

Creativity is not about constantly being inspired. It is about nurturing the conditions that allow inspiration to visit often. Using these simple practices in your daily life, you create an environment where creativity can thrive.

So, what do you need today? A quiet moment to daydream? A walk in nature? A deep dive into something new? Listen to your creative instincts and give yourself what you need.

Did these tips help you? I would love to hear about your experiences with creative blocks and what has worked for you. Let us keep the conversation going in the comments!

If you enjoyed this post and want more creative insights and reflections, consider subscribing to my newsletter. Let us continue this creative journey together!

Thank you for all of your support on this new adventure! Your kindness and encouragement mean the world to me!

All my love, CoraLynn