Inspiration Is Inherent
'Self-doubt is the death of creation'. A guide to harnessing your inner creativity.
Inspiration surrounds us; it’s everywhere we look.
Whether we capture it from conversations with friends or from moments spent simply daydreaming out of windows, inspiration finds a way to infiltrate our minds.
However, the buzzing, quick-paced nature of the world can sometimes place a one-way mirror on our thoughts. The myriad of inspirations existing around us may restrict our ability to draw inspiration from within.
Consequently, instead of accepting our primitive instinct to draw immediate inspiration from our own ideas, we often seek inspiration from the achievements of others before considering our own. We may even view their achievements with a sense of jealousy; upon discovering someone else’s creation, we are often met with an epiphany of missed opportunity: Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe I should do something like that?
Stop.
Step back from the achievements and creations of others. Start looking within.
In a society surrounded by endless marketing, AI, and propaganda, it can sometimes be difficult to think for ourselves. Whilst the internet can act as a phenomenal source of inspiration, when we are struggling to devise our own original, creative ideas, and are surrounded by a plethora of others’ achievements, it can sometimes ignite feelings of guilt and shame.
This is something I personally tend to struggle with: I may search for an idea on Pinterest for initial inspiration, only to feel deflated as I question why I failed to come up with such an idea independently.
Additionally, we are too often preoccupied with the possibility of being judged for our own ideas, worrying that they fall short of society’s strict standards, that we immediately feel inclined to look to other people’s creations for inspiration.
Self-doubt is the death of creation.
Instead, it is imperative to look within.
The beauty of our minds is that, until the day we die, they run like a machine.
One spewing with ideas.
Without sometimes realising, our minds already hold the answers we seek out from others.
Consider last year, when you were wondering how you would get through the darkness of winter.
Even last week, when your writer’s block was so severe you succumbed to hysterics?
Your mind carried you through these challenges, despite you deeming them undefeatable at the time; your present mind holds the answer to defeat the questions which burdened your past.
This is a cycle which will occur continuously for as long as our brains function.
Even once your mind slows down and eventually stops, your soul lives on, and consequently so does your source of creativity. Your mind is capable of the impossible; the impossible is only impossible because no one has achieved it yet (who's to say you won’t be the person to do so). I truly believe this is a prerequisite we need to consciously recognise in order to fully be in touch with our creative side.
Do not doubt what your mind is capable of.
Give yourself the time, space, and opportunity to truly be one with your mind.
Get to know yourself better.
In doing so, you’ll begin to connect with yourself and your ideas on a deeper level, discovering inspiration from within. There is no instantaneous need for a premeditated approach for whatever it is you seek inspiration for if you haven’t yet searched within your soul.
So, give the Pinterest search bar a break for now, and look within.
Inspiration is inherent.
Your mind is magic.
Now, you may be wondering, ‘But how do I reach this point of interconnectedness with my mind, especially when I feel like my thoughts are being drowned out by the noise of the world?’
In that case, below I offer some advice to help you start thinking creatively during a period of inspirational drought.
My previous article touched upon the topic of authenticity (specifically in a world where we tend to place so much value on perfectionism), which I would highly recommend reading if you are further intrigued by this topic of originality.