On Finding Inspiration in an Oversaturated World

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I have absolutely zero creativity. Maybe it’s the summer heat that’s making me feel a little sleepy. Maybe it’s the constant flow of content we’re surrounded by in this day and age. Or maybe it’s a little bit of both. All I know is that every time I sit down to write, I feel at a complete loss for words. The most frustrating part is that I want to write. I actually crave it. Writing is one of my main sources of self expression, and having zero ideas leaves me feeling out of sorts.

When I’m feeling lost for words, I’ve tried looking to the internet for inspiration. However, more often than not, looking at what others have created leaves me feeling less inspired, and more lost than when I started. It’s kind of ironic isn’t it? To be oversaturated with digital creativity, only to be caught in a creativity drought.

I guess when all you can think about is feeling uninspired, the solution is to write about feeling uninspired. Creativity. Sometimes it comes at you from the strangest of places.

How do we do it then? How do we reconnect with ourselves in this oversaturated environment? I don’t have an immediate cure all, but I do have a few steps that have been helping me get the creative juices flowing.

Movement

Getting my body moving is an excellent place to start when I’m experiencing writer’s block. Going for a walk or moving through a yoga sequence helps me to be present in my body and to focus on anything but writing.

Fresh Air

This sounds trite, but fresh air truly helps. There’s something about going for a walk or simply sitting outside that helps with creativity. There’s so much inspiration to be found in nature, and I’ve found that taking a few quiet moments outside helps enormously when I’m feeling stuck.

Watching My Screen Time

This is a big one. It’s also the hardest one if I’m being honest. I’ve found a direct correlation between high amounts of screen time and lack of creativity. I need to be intentional about limiting my social media time or else, I’ll find myself doom scrolling into infinity.

Spending Time with Jesus

What better way to restart creative thinking than by spending time with the author of creativity? I’ve found that reading the Bible, doing a devotional, or spending time in prayer always lends me a little bit of creative perspective.

Free Writing

Free writing, or word vomit writing, is one of my favorite ways to jumpstart creativity.
What do you write? Something. Anything. It doesn’t have to have meaning. The purpose is to get the juices flowing. This isn’t the next great American novel. Or maybe it is. You won’t know until you write!

At the end of the day, it’s helpful to get anything written down. Sometimes, the best thing to do is just write. It doesn’t have to be perfect, this post certainly isn’t. But with each word I write, I feel more and more like myself.

What are your favorite ways to jumpstart creative thinking?

Xx, M