My Number One Tool for Creative Inspiration
I’ve been feeling a little uninspired lately. I immediately assumed that it was the move that triggered my little rut. I mean… there have been a lot of changes this year. Throw in moving my whole life to another city…of course I would be feeling a little less than inspired.
Writing is so important to me. I love expressing myself through words and it is such a release for me. I honestly thought I would blog my heart out throughout the whole move. I wanted to talk all about the changes I was experiencing and reflect on everything. But not only was I exhausted, I also just didn’t feel inspired to create anything. And so I started to pay more attention to why I was feeling that way. I asked myself: when is it that I feel inspired? What would make me feel inspired? Was it just that I was tired or was I forcing something that just wasn’t there? I realized that maybe I was pushing myself a bit too hard. And maybe rest was a huge part of being creative and feeling inspired. But even then, I knew in my heart there was something more.
And then I went to the mountains.
I’ve been on little day trips and weekend trips to the mountains many times before. And having lived in both Alberta and BC, the mountains are a common part of our daily landscape (definitely not taken for granted though!). But this year, I have found myself craving the mountains. Perhaps it’s because of COVID and not being able to travel. It feels like there is even more of an appeal to exploring locally and find some hidden gems. Regardless, I have been itching to go on hikes and be in the mountains. I truly have always been that way though. My dream is to have a little tiny cottage in the mountains somewhere where I can escape for mini getaways. It would have a cute little fireplace, no wifi and endless amounts of books, tea and cozy blankets. I often brush that off as just a dream, but it’s not until I get outside into the mountains and breathe that air that I remember: this is what inspires me. Nature. A reminder that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Spending even a day on a hike in the mountains brings me oh so much. Hearing the sounds of nature. The crunch of the path beneath my feet. The warmth of the sun. The crisp air filling my lungs. The break from the city and all that goes with it. There’s an eagerness to get to the top. That calm sense of determination that fuels every step. There’s nothing like it. Even the drive out to the mountains…it takes my breath away.
I realized that it was this connection with nature that is what gently pushed me to get off my phone. To take in what was around me. I was reminded of how small we truly are and yet how strong we all are. All of these things are what inspire me. I realize too that this is why I enjoy my daily walks so much. And why I feel so frustrated on the days I don’t go. Nature is truly healing. It cleanses us. It nourishes us. It gets us outside of ourselves. I often feel like I can go outside with so many things on my mind, and come back lighter, more refreshed and definitely more grounded. That is what nature does. It reflects back to us exactly what we need. And it grounds us. If you have ever just stood in a forest amongst those mighty tall trees and felt that feeling awe, then you know exactly what I mean.
So I guess what this post is about is that if you are feeling a little uninspired lately, or you are struggling with creativity, then get yourself outside. Anywhere. It doesn’t have to be the mountains. It can even be your backyard or around your block. Take a moment and instead of rushing through nature to get somewhere, really feel it. Look around. Listen. Get your feet right into the grass if you can. Take a deep breath and take everything in. Do whatever you can to feel closer to the energy of the earth. Because all the things you seek are already within you. And sometimes all you need is a reminder. And that reminder, is waiting for you right outside your door.
xo.