Inspiration - from drought to downpour
When creativity comes after a dry spell
Hello friends,
How are you doing? How have you been enjoying the brief tastes of spring we’ve been having?
There are a few things that have aligned recently, along with the weather no doubt, that have led to me feeling more inspired than I have in a while.
So let’s chat about inspiration and what contributes to it flooding back into your life.
I am writing this from a local writers group, one I have joined for the first time. We’re sat in a cafe/art gallery space, surrounded by art and coffee.
I have a warm mocha to my right, piles of books to my left.
The people in the group are a delightful mix of creatives all here for one reason - we love to write.
We’ve had conversations about the books we’re reading, AI, plotting fiction and knowing where to start a story.
This is the first time I’ve joined an in-person group like this and I’m buzzing. I’ve already written some creative non-fiction, and now I’m writing this.
Last year my creativity outside of work felt a little stifled. Work filled my brain as I stepped into some new management responsibilities while my manager went on maternity leave.
That, along with other life ‘stuff’ that weighed on me. Suffice to say, creativity was the last thing on my mind.
Now things at work are feeling… free-er again. Our manager has returned from maternity leave, opening the door for change and that is feeling good.
Life ‘stuff’ is more manageable (thanks to some therapy last year).
I also recently went to two live music events, the first music events I’ve been to in a long time. The second one in particular, I loved.
It was Mae Martin’s gig where I got to listen to their first music album and get carried along with their incredible story-telling abilities.
Travel last year gave me a taste of inspiration and this year we have three trips on the horizon. The first one, happening very soon, will see Dan and I going to Groningen in the Netherlands for another gig and I cannot wait to let the combination of travel and music wash over me.
I’ve also taken on some changes in my volunteering role (at Beat, the eating disorder charity), prompting me to learn new processes and putting myself forward for some speaking opportunities.
All of these things, along with spring peeking through, is making me feel alive in so many ways. Here’s what I think is contributing to the inspiration flow:
More headspace: getting support to bring my mental health back on track, creating boundaries, radical acceptance that things are the way they are (but that change is possible).
Reminding myself what fills my creative cup: Travel, music, in-person connection, great films and TV.
Saying yes to things even when they feel stretchy: Speaking opportunities, joining a writing group, etc.
Seeing it written down, it makes a lot of sense. But, of course, it isn’t always doable. We all ebb and flow with life’s currents.
Sometimes there’s just too much heaviness filling our minds and it feels like we’re walking in a desert of inspiration, and that’s OK. In those seasons, we have to be kind to ourselves and do what we need to do to get by.
The rain will come again in time and when it does… do what you can to dance in it.
I’d love to know what factors contribute to you feeling inspired, let me know in the comments.
Until next time, take care.
Kat x