Those of us who are creatives require a good amount of inspiration. I thought to share with you guys my top ways that I find inspiration. It is daily work or you will find yourself burnt out especially if you work long days. Much like seeking happiness, seeking inspiration is another essential task for staying on top.

Music

This alone can make me so happy in an instant! I’ve been so drawn to it since I was young and every time I get “too busy” and forget to turn on some good music, I find myself getting run down much faster. I like to keep the tunes fresh each day or week, and go by what my mood craves. I’ll find myself all over the place with genre’s sometimes, and I love the variety of it.

Take Time Off – Knowing When To Take A Break

This has been the hardest thing for me. I love what I do here so much that taking a break isn’t always an option I give myself. When I do something, I submerge myself into it 150%. I’ve always had a heavy dosing of passion and that is what gives me so much drive in life. However, self-awareness is very important and I overdo these feelings more than I should. Work will always be there, no matter how ambitious you are or where you are in your journey. Make the time everyday to enjoy yourself as a human being.

Surround Yourself With Positive People

I cannot emphasize enough how important this one can be. When you only have a 1-hour break and you want to maximize on your time, you probably seek the most uplifting people. I know I do. Last thing you may want is someone who will drain you of your energy. Spend your time with those that bring you joy. I always look to replenish, because a break is a break and should feel like one.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded Individuals

I love to be around people that are always dreaming and developing new ideas. I am like this myself, so I always seek to surround myself with like-minded individuals. Feeding off one another’s aspirations and energies is amazing!

Be Honest With Yourself

You can’t do it all in one day. End of story. Realize you are human, and your health and wellness are of utmost importance. I have struggled so much with this over the years, and am still seeking a good work-life balance.

Your Dreams Won’t Be Granted Overnight

Keep dreaming baby! But realize that dreams (which literally happen overnight) don’t play out that way in real life. Be focused on your goals, be patient, visualize them and then go about each day with a fierce, never-give-up attitude.

Chase The Good Vibes

Over the years I have come to realize how much I prefer to be around warm, kind-hearted people that have a positive and confident body language. I like to think of myself as such a person. However, we all go through hard times and that is alright if we are not ourselves for certain periods of time. But always feeling down and beat up by life is not healthy for you or those around you. I always seek to be a better person each day and being around kind-hearted, supportive people really helps!

Get Lost In The Little Things

A walk on the beach. A sweet thought or memory. A feeling you get from a song you haven’t heard in ages. A rekindled emotion or feeling. The taste of a dish that takes you back to your childhood days. The smell of the outdoors after heavy rainfall, are just a few things that help me center myself and go on.

Work Structure

How you go about your day is very important. With a heavy workload each week, the best way I tackle it all is to be organized and to delegate specific tasks. Designating specific times to emails, editing, planning, writing, and then sticking to it are of top priority to me.

Spice Things Up

Cook yourself or someone a fabulous dinner. I love doing this because I love cooking.

Travel, Even If It’s Just Outside Of Town

No trip is too small. Sometimes we are so busy to leave our desks but wonderful things happen when we travel. The simple act of leaving town makes me feel better. Traveling always gives me a new vision, a new outlook, a new feeling, and so on. With fresh air comes fresh ideas.

Having A Sense Of Urgency

I have this sense non-stop. It’s what keeps my adrenaline high, energy high, ambitions high and so on. However, I wish I was better at relaxing and unwinding. Finding ways or people that I can relax and unwind with are key for me. A nice bath, a home cooked dinner with my mother, taking extra time to get ready in the morning, a coffee with a friend, all help me unwind.

Eat Healthy

I don’t always exercise. The best sources of fuel for me are vegetables, low carbs, and proteins. I feel my best eating this way and I don’t need caffeine to get me through the day. I drink coffee for the taste and 95% of the time I get decaf. Otherwise my sense of energy shoots through the roof! 

Keep Growing Your Passion

Nothing feels better than seeing your hard work paying off. Keep consistent, keep sacrificing (yes this part is a kick-starter) to get you to where you want to be. You cannot have it all, all the time. You may need to let go of something you may not realize you are attached to, or something that is holding you back, in order get to where you want to be. And lastly, have some fun. Don’t take life too seriously (like I sometimes tend to do, which I’m working on). 

Illustration: Alessandra De Cristofaro