Creative Tips - Where to Find Inspiration

Inspiration can be one of the easiest things to come across and also one of the most difficult. To me, it seems more like a matter of timing than anything else: I've kinda gotta be in a creative mood before anything really strikes me as inspiration. Despite all this, I've found a few ways to foster creativity that just might help a few people out there.

1. Listen to music.
Ok, so this kinda seems like an obvious choice, but it's still worth mentioning because it's the most effective thing for me. If you're looking for inspiration for your own music, play along with some of your favorite songs or try to imitate a technique that you hear and like in a song. Ripping off a riff that you really like isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you make it your own in some way.

As for all you painters, sketchers, and writers out there, think about what a song makes you feel or envision and try to replicate that in your chosen medium.

Remember: Music exists to inspire. Don't ever look past this resource when looking for a spark.

2, Check out some artwork.
Go to a local museum and get inspired by the works there, or maybe even just search for some random art online. Good painters and the like always provoke thought with their work, in my opinion.

Again, Art exists to inspire.

This was my first painting. I sometimes look back at old material to see what I can draw from it for new ideas.

3. Read poetry.
Just search for some poetry online until you find a poet you can relate to and actually understand. If you want to immerse yourself even further in this idea, listen to some recordings of poets reading their poems, or maybe even attend a live poetry reading at a local college. They're usually free and open to the public, so why not give it a shot?

I could keep adding notes like this, but I think you get the point. =)

4. Work with friends.
Working with friends on creative projects has its ups and downs, but for the most part, they're ups. Generally speaking, more people equals more conflicting ideas and perspectives. This tends to be a good thing, as it is a real eye opener and could really help kick-start more of your own creative ideas.

Jamming around a campfire during the summer is really fun, I must say.

5. Go sightseeing.
Even if you're just in your hometown, chances are there is at least one place nearby that tourists visit that you haven't. Take a little time to go check it out, learn about its history, or just appreciate its architecture. Don't take any sights or sounds for granted; take note of all the little details and focus on something that interests you. You'll be glad you did at the end of the day.


Hopefully at least one of these tips helps you in some way. Even if you're not looking for a creative spark, try out some of these ideas to broaden your palette and your grasp of your local culture. There's much more to the world around us than what we encounter on a daily basis. Sometimes you need to let your adventurous side indulge itself, and you just might learn something in the process.