I used to think that inspiration came spontaneously from within. When you feel
inspired, you immediately jump to creative work.
But as I've moved through my creative journey, I've noticed that it's much more
complicated. Here's how I thought inspiration worked. Here's how it has
actually worked over the last decade. I've gotten to interview makers -- whether
they are chefs, artists, engineers, architects, or writers. I've seen how
inspiration is all around us. It's deeply contextual. Inspiration happens when you
engage with a community of fellow makers. Here you borrow ideas and share
strategies and even offer critical feedback to one another. Inspiration
happens when you stay curious and geek out on concepts and information and
approaches to your craft. Here you curate your favorite ideas or creative works.
Eventually, you mash up ideas and processes until you have something
original. Sometimes inspiration happens when you
play and goof off. Sometimes it happens when you rest and go on walks or
spend time in nature or even when you get really bored. In these moments of
rest, your mind makes connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. You are
inspired to think outside the box. Inspiration can happen when you see a
problem you care deeply about or when you build empathy with a group. You work
toward creating solutions in a way that is horizontal and democratic. Inspiration
happens when you experiment and learn from your mistakes. It can actually
grow stronger as you face that toxic fear that has been preventing you from
finding your creative voice and taking those creative risks. Inspiration is your
big "why" that sets the course for all of your creative work. It exists whether
you feel inspired or not. Sometimes you just have to get started and you'll
rediscover it.