Refuel Your Creative Reservoir

Feeling more at ease with the COVID-19 situation, I've discovered maintaining my creative flow has become easier than ever. Quarantine might've sent some into a creative rut, but this pandemic has undeniably become an integral part of our lives, and I've found ways to navigate through it.

I've been hunting for content that ignites my inspiration to write my book. My book's final chapters are almost wrapped up, but I've been wrestling with planning and outlining them for months. It left me feeling agitated, but I knew I needed to dig deeper and analyze my character development.

So, I decided to study character arcs that reminded me of my own book's main character, and what better place to start than with Star Wars! I've always been a fan and found its wealth of character arcs to be incredibly helpful in understanding the nuances and progression of my own character.

But how about you? What roadblocks are you facing when it comes to your own creative pursuits? Are there specific scenes you keep rehashing, or shapes you've been painting and repainting without much progress? Explore the options below to revitalize your creative spirit.

Read BooksOne of the most rewarding ways to refuel your creative well is through reading books. This could be genre fiction, self-help books, or even exploring biographies of artists you admire. I recently ordered a couple of books I've had on my wish list for ages: Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert and Start With Why, by Simon Sinek. I'm currently reading Developing the Leader Within You 2.0, by John C. Maxwell. These self-help books have given me a sense of personal growth during these troubling times.

Listen to MusicTune into music that sets your soul alight. For me, instrumental music, like the kind you'd hear in movie trailers, stirs up vivid images and scenes. I found myself creating entire movie trailers for my book while listening to "I am the Shield" by Audiomachine.

Go for a WalkWhen you can, take a stroll and appreciate the little things around you. Nature offers countless sources of inspiration, from the colorful stems of flowers to the intricacies of rocks in the sidewalk. Take note of these observations to refresh your creative well.

Motivational YouTube VideosNeed a jolt of inspiration? Binge motivational videos on YouTube. They've been a lifesaver for me as I've watched productivity gurus struggle but push through their own obstacles, giving me ideas for elevating my own creative projects.

Talk to a ChildIf you can, chat with a kid and ask them to tell you a story. Their boundless imaginations might surprise you and provide fresh inspiration for your own work. Why not create the theme song for "Squirrel-Dog vs. the Pancake Lizard"? Who knows what brilliance might lie ahead.

While it's easy to fall into the mindless numbness of "staying busy," it's crucial to question your motives. Are you consuming content with an intent to learn and apply it to your work, or are you merely trying to distract yourself from the hardships at hand? Focus on activities that bring you joy and help drive you towards a better post-pandemic existence. Reframing your mindset can help you adapt to the new normal and view this pandemic as a learning experience rather than a stumbling block.

As humans, we're naturally creative beings, and creating makes us happy. Embrace this pandemic as an opportunity to learn, grow, and flourish—not as a reason to wallow in despair. Fill your creative well, and you'll find time passing more smoothly, develop a more positive outlook, and maintain a sense of productivity even amid the chaos.

What are some ways you can draw inspiration from to keep your creative flame burning? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Perhaps unlocking inspiration for your own character arcs can be found in the diverse and intriguing lifestyle portrayed in fashion-and-beauty magazines or travel blogs.
As you delve deeper into your book, have you considered exploring both food-and-drink and home-and-garden publications for unique perspectives that might inspire new plotlines or settings?
Building upon relationships with like-minded creatives, whether in person or online, can offer fresh insights and spark new ideas in your creative pursuits.
To supplement your learning and creativity, delve into entertainment through books, movies, or TV shows to uncover fresh ideas and overall inspiration.