What Inspires Me: My Go-To Sources for Staying Creative

Getting stuck or having a creative block is one of the worst things for any creative. We’ve been there, I know I have. You’ve time blocked your day, had everything set, and then nothing is looking right. Before you know it half the day has gone, and you’ve hardly done a thing. Some days, ideas flow effortlessly. Other days, it feels like my brain is buffering, stuck in an endless loading loop. So, how do I stay creative even when inspiration feels out of reach? The key is to actively seek out creativity and develop habits that keep my mind open and engaged.

Here are my go-to sources for staying creative, along with some simple exercises that help me tap into fresh ideas.

1. Step Outside: Nature as the Ultimate Reset Button

Whenever I hit a creative block, I take a break and step outside. Whether it’s a walk through a park, sitting by the water, or even just standing in my backyard, nature has a way of clearing mental clutter and opening new ideas.

Daily Exercise:

Take a five-minute outdoor walk and focus on one sense at a time—first, observe colors, then listen to sounds, then notice textures. Sketch or describe something that stands out to you.

2. Explore Other Design Mediums & Industries

Sometimes, the best inspiration comes from outside your own field. Looking at architecture, fashion, patterns, textiles, and even interior design can introduce fresh perspectives that influence your creative approach. One of my favorite fields to explore for inspiration is Architecture. Look at how other art and design industries have solved challenges.

Daily Exercise:

Pick a design medium outside your specialty—such as fashion, architecture, or textile design. Find three examples that stand out to you and analyze how their use of color, shape, and texture could be applied to your own work.

3. Music & Movement: Activating the Creative Brain

Music is one of my biggest creative fuels. Certain songs or genres can instantly shift my mindset and help me visualize new concepts. I also find that moving my body—whether through dancing, stretching, or even pacing—helps break creative blocks.

Daily Exercise:

Listen to a song without any distractions and quickly sketch or write down the first visuals that come to mind. Let your imagination flow without overthinking.

4. Keep a Creative Journal

I’m a huge believer in writing things down—not just ideas but also observations, thoughts, and even doodles. A creative journal is a great way to capture fleeting inspiration and return to it when you need a boost.

Daily Exercise:

Write a quick journal entry each morning about something visually interesting you noticed the day before. Bonus: Sketch it if you have time!

5. Find Inspiration in Everyday Life

One of the best sources of inspiration is simply paying attention to the world around you. From coffee shop menus to conversations overheard in passing, everyday life is filled with creative sparks.

Daily Exercise:

Pick a random object in your home and brainstorm three different ways it could be redesigned to be more interesting, functional, or artistic.

6. Rodd Chants— 20 Idea A Day Ritual

The other day a post from Rodd Chant popped up and I thought it was it was perfect for this blog. I was thrilled when he allowed me to highlight here. Rodd is a creative director, with a daily ritual that I had never thought of, and after reading it, it sounds like it help you become a creative machine.
Here’s what he does every day:
Come up with 20 random ideas.
Draw 20 boxes on a double-page spread in a Moleskine, or sketchbook and get thinking.
He follows only one rule, which is the ideas can’t be related to anything he is working on.
He maintains list of things to use for inspiration but also venture off if need be.

Here are some examples.
- A name for a punk band.
- A name for a coffee brand.
- An idea for a t-shirt.
- A chair design.
- A movie idea about ______.
- A song title about ______.
- A craft beer brand name.
- A book idea.
- A name for a (insert genre) band.
- A haiku about ________.
- An ad agency name.
- An Economist headline.

You can make up a list of anything that inspires you or interests you.
The method to this madness is to make your brain perform on demand, to generate ideas when needed.
I loved this quote from Rodd, “If you treat your brain like a muscle it responds accordingly.” I thought this was an awesome habit to do every day. You can check out Rodd Chant’s linked in page here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddchant/

7. Read Poetry for Visual Inspiration

Reading isn’t just about gathering knowledge—it can be a gateway to visual storytelling. Poetry, in particular, has a way of painting vivid imagery with words. The rhythm, metaphors, and emotions of poetry can spark unexpected design ideas and mood concepts.

Daily Exercise:

Read a short poem each day and create a quick thumbnail sketch inspired by its imagery or mood.

8. Play with a New Medium

Sometimes, the best way to reignite creativity is to step outside your usual medium. If you always work digitally, try something hands-on like painting or collaging. If you’re a minimalist designer, try creating something maximalist just for fun.

Daily Exercise:

Spend 10 minutes experimenting with a medium you don’t typically use—whether it’s watercolor, charcoal, or even cut-paper collage.

9. Look at Your Own Work Differently

Sometimes, your best source of inspiration is your past work. Flipping through old sketchbooks or revisiting unfinished projects can help spark new directions.

Daily Exercise:

Choose one of your past works and make a quick revision—change the colors, add a new texture, or experiment with a different layout.

10. Surround Yourself with Other Creatives

Creativity thrives in community. Talking to other designers, artists, musicians, and writers can open your mind to new ways of thinking. Even if you work solo, finding a group of like-minded creatives to exchange ideas with can be a game-changer.

Daily Exercise:

Engage with one new creative person each day—comment on a fellow artist’s post, join an online discussion, or watch a creative tutorial.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your Creative Energy Flowing

Staying creative isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about building habits that keep your mind engaged and open to new ideas. Whether it’s exploring design, listening to music, traveling, or simply observing the world around you, creativity is everywhere if you know where to look.

So, what keeps you inspired? I’d love to hear about your go-to sources for creativity! Drop a comment or check out my About Me page to learn more about my creative journey.
Photo by Jess Bailey Designs: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-pencil-screenshot-750913/