You’re traveling or otherwise out of your normal rhythm. The new stimulus gives you ideas for changes to make work, home and the studio.
Ignited by the inspiration, you vow to take action. But before long, you’re sucked back into your groove and those flashes of inspiration fade.
You begin to be suspicious about inspiration. What’s it for? Do all those aha epiphanies actually offer something beyond the momentary creative thrill?
I wonder too. I confess that as a businesswoman, I have prioritized results over fleeting, giddy joy. And honestly, I’m at a place in my creative life where I don’t want a bunch of new ideas. I need pointers on how to execute the ideas I already have. But reflecting upon my two trips to Paris this year, I see the benefit of inspiration that’s not immediately turned into something tangible.
I’m still getting emails from the wonderful people in my Curious Paris Excursion. The impact of traveling as a creative explorer in Paris has deeply affected these women. How the think about life (more courage, more enthusiasm to take risks) and what they’re doing (taking art classes in new media, cooking differently) is the result of the juju we culled together in France.
Memories of a meal in a stunning setting, of an encounter with a stranger whose kindness restores your faith in humanity, of a cherished purchase in a shop that’s truly out of your budget – these are invaluable traces of inspiration. How they serve us in our work and art is up to us to decipher and appreciate.
How to capture juju
Some days your juju feels elusive, others, you can’t capture all your great ideas fast enough. One of the tools from my Creative Toolkit for Travelers makes it more likely you’ll turn inspiration into action.
It’s so simple, it’s silly. But this works for capturing inspiration both while traveling and while going about your routine at home.
If you’re reading this, chances are you already carry a notebook or digital capture device with you all the time. If you don’t, please start.
Mark one or two pages “Flashes of Inspiration.” Then list your ideas as they arrive. Keeping them all in one place will make it easier to access them and also allow you to see bigger themes about changes you want to make in your life.
My Paris juju
Here is my list from my Paris notebook. Some are specific actions, others are things or concepts that intrigue me.
- Host private free-write parties with friends.
- Make art cards with coaching inspiration, perhaps haiku.
- Reclaim my art studio and move Original Impulse back into its office.
- Send homemade Christmas cards to clients.
- Travel as metaphor for creative process >>creating your Hero’s Journey…
- Book of hours
- Illuminated manuscripts
- Embellished fonts
- Steampunk
- Join or start a book club – thanks Clydette!
- Read Jung (This is a recurring theme, and Marcus always reminds me of Jung.)
- Make an illustrated/illuminated book
- Amazing new interactive and fun way to deliver the Free Write Fling (includes audio, video, photo prompts!! oo! oo!)
- Lead Curious Paris in September, 2011 – with changes based on what I’ve learned.
Looking at the list, I am energized from the inspiration. I recognize themes. The project I’ve been incubating for several years is coming into form and with this juju, I have insights into how to create it.
I’m enjoying the fruits of the inspiration right away; I’m writing from my office, which I have de-cluttered and re-organized into a useable space. I feel quite Queenly with my castle behind me, the dragon ready to conquer any nasty intruders. Protected by a dragon, I can do anything!
Joking aside, I feel the confidence and clarity that all this inspiration has given me. I am less distracted by fripperies of life and more engaged with my creativity. This is the value of inspiration that may yield action, but certainly yields confidence and hope that’s vital to the creative process.
Bottom line:
Write inspiration down – in one place. Dedicate several pages in your paper or digital notebook to capture the juju.
Coaching Inquiry/Writing Prompt:
How does inspiration affect you – even if you don’t ‘do’ anything with it? Share inspiration’s impact on you in a comment below.
What a wonderful storehouse of inspiration you have!
So many sights and people; so many historical sites that you’ve visited. Now you’re summing it up…placing it in usable categories! Dozens of storage crates and labels.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you pull out of storage in the future.
I’m sitting here in my chair and I see inspiration all around: the rock in the fireplace wall (from an old fence built by German settlers), the rock mason who did our rock work; the fall colors viewed through the window; the houseplants that I’ve managed to keep alive; my little canine companion. The huge beams above my head remind me of the patient workman who built our house and of the quality of materials 44 years ago…..Then there’s the old army saddle in the corner, my parent’s dining table (now a coffee table), my books and my aluminum collection! There’s a story behind all that I see and I haven’t moved an inch. I have 84 years of this stuff in my “storehouse”. Wow!
Dannie,
Thank you for your enthusiasm! I particularly like the eloquent tour of your world that you shared with us. Your writing is so evocative; you really know how to paint a scene.
I draw a lot of inspiration from my immediate surroundings, especially my plants! I have a succulent garden and have been excited all day because in a few minutes I am going to buy more as a winter treat!
Yes, you have a lot of material right at hand! It’s great, and I also want to say that your blog is looking awesome!