Finding inspiration and motivation can be difficult, but it is not impossible. The ancient Greeks had a name for the source of it: a muse, who gave people the inspiration to create great art, literature and music. We know how hard it can be to feel inspired, but it is simpler than you might think. Here are six places to look.
Nature
Nature is a great source of inspiration. A stroll in the park or a walk in the woods takes you out of yourself. Take in the sights and sounds, and let your mind wander.
Notice the imperfections too. From shifting light to an insect crawling on a leaf, there is beauty in disorder. Look past the obvious, at the shapes and patterns you would normally miss.
Artists
One of the best sources of inspiration is other people's work, whether a book, a film, a painting or a piece of music.
Books and films show the world from another point of view and wake up ideas that were lying dormant. Art makes an emotional connection that stays with us. A single line of dialogue can spark an idea for a project of your own, or show you a different way into it.
The same goes for pictures and music. Illustrators convey emotion in a few lines, and musicians turn raw feeling into a tune that stays with you for life. Keep looking and listening.
People
The people around us are a source of ideas. A conversation with a friend, a relative or a colleague can open up lines of thought you had never considered.
Talking a problem through is useful in itself, and especially when you are stuck. Two people discussing a piece of work often arrive at a solution neither would have found alone.
Collaboration is better still. Working as a team draws on each person's strengths and experience, and fresh ideas flourish.
Culture
Exploring other cultures opens our minds to different ways of living and of seeing the world.
Travel is the best way, because you see, hear and taste things you would not otherwise meet. If you cannot go in person, books, films and conversations will broaden your view all the same.
It has never been easier. Music, literature and art from around the world, language classes and online discussion groups are all within reach, and any of them can give you a fresh view when you need one.
A change of scene
Places inspire. Somewhere new, whether countryside or city, sparks ideas and breaks habits of thought.
Familiar places work too. A walk, or an hour in the local park or a coffee shop, can be enough to get your mind moving. Because you know the place so well, your thoughts are free to go deeper.
And sometimes you need to get right away. Seeing something new, be it a foreign country, a dramatic landscape or a part of your own town you have never explored, breaks the routine and shows you possibilities you did not know were there.
Adversity
Difficulty can be a powerful spur. A hard situation forces us to look for other solutions and to go beyond what we usually do.
Getting through it teaches resilience, and that builds confidence in our abilities. With each obstacle overcome, however small, self-belief grows, and we become readier to take risks. The more we challenge ourselves, the better our ideas.
Conclusion
Inspiration comes in many forms. Whether through people, culture or a change of scene, stepping outside your comfort zone and exploring the world around you leads to discoveries. All you need is an open mind and a little courage.
When inspiration has done its work, our made-to-measure picture frames will show off the result, and we are glad to advise on the best frame for your artwork.
Call EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are happy to talk it through even if you do not want to buy.