5 Tips for Sparking Your Inspiration

One of the oldest and most generous tricks that the universe plays on human beings is to bury strange jewels within us all, and then stand back to see if we can ever find them. 

-Elizabeth Gilbert

Today’s blog is for those days when we just need a little boost to keep on keepin’ on.

Think of this as a recipe, which you can pick and choose, rearrange, and use as you please to breathe a little inspiration back into your life.

We wholeheartedly believe that everything you need is already inside of you so these tips are here to support you and to point you back to your own light.  

1. Pick out a new book.

Go to a library or bookstore without a specific goal in mind. Let yourself wander through the aisles, browse the titles, and notice what catches your attention.

This is a fun exercise to wake up your creativity and to find what you’re naturally drawn to which also strengthens your intuition.

You may be surprised to find a new topic you haven’t dug into before, or a fiction book that you would not have picked otherwise.

2. Watch TED talks.

If you don’t already know, TED talks are concise talks (typically 5-20 minutes) on a broad range of topics meant to educate, transform, and empower.

These talks are perfect for when you don’t have a lot of time and need a mindset shift.

A few must-see TED talks:

Why We Do What We Do - Tony Robbins

My Philosophy For A Happy Life - Sam Berns

Do Schools Kill Creativity - Ken Robinson

The Power of Vulnerability - Brené Brown

3. Make a gratitude list.

You may already know we are a big fan of gratitude. We could write a whole blog post on this (and, yes, we have), but for now we will share just a few of the reasons we believe gratitude is necessary for a fulfilling life.

It not only increases your self-esteem, but it also helps you sleep better, have more energy to get what you need to done throughout your day, and it decreases stress and anxiety.

Gratitude is like a muscle that must be strengthened. We have to train ourselves to see what it is we are grateful for.

Making a gratitude list daily is one of our favorite ways to strengthen our capacity for gratitude.

It is as easy as it sounds. Grab a piece of paper and write down a few things you are grateful for.

We love keeping a physical journal just for these lists, but you might prefer using the “Notes” app, or something similar, on your phone. The how isn’t important. Find what works best for you and let’s grow that gratitude!

4. Give to someone else.

Giving to those in need opens our hearts in a way that allows us to also receive more fully. Sometimes we need to get out of our own minds and take care of someone else to remind ourselves that we are okay.

Helping others can boost self-confidence and help us remember that we are not alone in our struggles.

Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen, helping plant some trees, getting a loved one a bouquet of flowers, or taking some food to the homeless person you drive by often, giving to others is proven to benefit ourselves just as much as them.

5. Drink your tea slowly.

Find 5-10 minutes in a quiet place to do nothing but drink a warm mug of tea (or another beverage if you aren’t a tea drinker).

Allow this to be a meditative act. Ask yourself to notice the physical sensations you feel as you sip this tea.

Treat this moment and each sip of tea as if it is sacred, enjoying it as fully as you can. Buddhist monk and mindfulness teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh says, “drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world revolves.”

Often we just need to shake things up a bit to find a new perspective. We hope the above lists helps you tune back into yourself, find grounding in the present moment, and remember that even when life feels heavy, you are made of light. SaveSave