8 ways to get inspired

*Disclaimer* It took me forever to find the motivation to start blogging again, but here I (finally) am. Ever feel like you're in a creative rut and sometimes just simply going through the motions? Sometimes I get so caught up in my responsibilities with classes and work that I forget to find time to be creative. This is when it is so important to find some inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. Today I set aside a few hours of my day and devoted it to brainstorming and finding inspiration for new recipes, lettering ideas, and whatever else came up.

That's when I decided to write about what inspires me and share it with you all. Hopefully this might give you some ideas on how to get inspired whenever you might be in a creative rut. Sadly there isn't a recipe at the bottom of this blog post, but there will be a new recipe coming soon. Check out what inspires me below!

8 ways to get inspired

1) Get outside and take a walk

After what seemed like a never ending winter, it's great to finally have some nice weather to enjoy. (Am I really a true MinnesOtan if I don't talk about the weather?) Taking a walk is a good way to breathe in some fresh air, get some steps towards your daily goal, and to take a break from your busy day. In order to really take a break and clear your mind, try putting your phone down and just focus on being outside.

2) Listen to music

Sometimes when I need a little pick me up, I plug in my headphones and listen to my favorite songs. I am a huge fan of country music, but its good to switch it up every once in a while. Also, every once and a while I like to listen to the playlists that Spotify curates for me based on my music interests. I purchased Spotify Premium after refusing to pay the small monthly fee for so long. I 100% recommend buying Premium so you can avoid the ads, create your own playlists, and listen to whatever music you want whenever you want.

3) Go for a drive

This one is a little hard for me considering I don't have my own car, but soon I am going to do a little bit of adulting and buy one. One of my favorite things to do is to hop in the car, turn on my favorite music, and drive. If you hate listening to the radio's overplayed songs and commercials, buy an aux cord. This way you can listen to whatever you want whenever you want.

3) Browse Pinterest

This is a big one for me. I am such a visual person, so looking at all of the pictures on Pinterest is a great way for me to get inspiration. I look to Pinterest for recipe ideas, quotes to inspire me, workout circuit ideas, DIY projects, and so much more. Check out my Pinterest page to see what I've been pinning lately.

https://www.pinterest.com/8kelso/

4) Head to a coffee shop to brainstorm

I absolutely love coffee shops because of their relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Also, I love the smell of coffee. The coffee shop is a great place to read a book, work on homework, browse the internet, or to meet up with a friend. It is also nice to get a change in scenery from your normal work space.

5) Go buy a new journal (and then write in it!)

Cute journals are my weakness. Whenever I go by a section of cute office supplies while I'm shopping, I have to go check it out. That being said, I think writing down your thoughts is so important and can lead to some pretty cool ideas. Also, journaling can be a good way to stay organized.

6) Get some exercise

This doesn't mean you have to go out and buy an expensive gym membership--you can workout anywhere! Go on a walk, look up an at home workout circuit (Pinterest and Youtube have some great ones), go on a bike ride, look up some yoga moves online--the opportunities are endless. Any amount and/or type of exercise is a positive thing! That being said, sometimes the motivation to workout just isn't there and that's just fine, too. Working out should be something you enjoy and something that makes you feel good, so if you're not feeling a workout today (or maybe even this week) don't force yourself to. The motivation will come. Check out the link below for a look at some examples of workout circuits on my "health & fitness" Pinterest board.

https://www.pinterest.com/8kelso/health-fitness/

7) Explore somewhere new

This might mean going on a weekend road trip, exploring a new state, or simply finding a new place in town. No matter how close you stay or far you go, exploring somewhere new is a good way to find some inspiration and to look at the world in a slightly different way than you do at home.

8) Draw, doodle, paint, letter

You might be thinking something like "I'm not artsy" or "I can't draw/paint/letter"... and to that I say practice! Making art helps get those creative juices flowing and may even get you out of your comfort zone if you aren't super in to art. Not sure what to make? You could try replicating a picture, doodling whats on your mind, or trying out different fonts or lettering styles.

If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading! I'm hoping to get a new recipe up on the blog soon. Happy almost summer!