What with the wedding stress, day job being full on not to mention mixed with Ofsted panic. My sketchbook and notebooks have been lacking somewhat in anything remotely creative. My studio has become a dumping ground for all things but my bum on my chair and a pen in my hand.
So when I can grab a spare second to indulge in something that gets my brain excited, and the opportunity to sit down and make fleeting notes on what I want to create for 2014 I jump at the chance. Doodling isn’t working for me at the moment, I think over thinking is my problem, my brain at the moment is filled with panic over the wedding ( I am now doing a reading). So I definitely need a little brain break. Stay creatively inspired is really important to me, it gives me hope.
So to stay inspired and take time away from over thinking and brain panic try these steps.
1. Take time away from the thing (person) who is stressing you out.
2. Make yourself something that fills you with happiness – mines a cup of sugary tea, milk 2 sugars thank you!
3. Find a comfy spot, (preferably with lots of light) best thing to make a fort out or pillows and covers. My *Decker Pillow is a beaut and from Made.com the soldiers are a little christmassy.
4. Read, write or watch something that fills your head with exciting thoughts.
5. Don’t force it, chill and empty your head of negativity.
6. Repeat or carry on until you feel inspired.
When I graduated from uni 3 years ago, there was one book that truly inspired me through out my second and third year and that was the Tim Walker photography book, when I got paid recently for teaching at the summer school, I spent my hard earned pennies getting myself the book and all those happy memories, inspired moments came flooding back! I got this one from Amazon. I love finding inspiration in other peoples creativity.
So I am going to take some time out this week, grab an hour or two to write in my journal and plan a few trips over the Christmas period… I am hoping to pop to Oxford on Christmas eve, I hope you find this a little bit of fun and maybe a little help.
What is your go to book or film for inspiration? How do you stay inspired?
a great inspiration for me is the movie "Chocolat". It's so motivating to see the the main character go through all the difficulties!
I'm not sure if it's inspiring as such but i'm really into Tintin books at the mo. When I read them I get a bit lost and caught up. That's my downtime at the moment.
Buckets & Spades
I loved this post, definitely what I needed to read right now! Staying creatively inspired is something that is also incredibly important to me, in fact I sometimes find myself becoming stressed out because I worry that I'm losing my ability to be creative! I'm so weird, its unreal! Luckily I spent some time last (or should I say the early hours of this morning!) painting a new illustration, so I would say I'm feeling quite creatively excited and positive at the moment! I have that Tim Walker book too, and I find myself looking through it all the time, he's so amazingly talented and inspiring! (also you would really like his book called "Story Teller" too!). Another book I always seem to look through when I'm looking for inspiration is "My Heart Wanders" by Pia Jane Bijkerk. You might of seen it before, but if you haven't I highly recommend it! x
I think my go to film is probably Amelie. She's so creative and it just makes me all-over happy to watch her at her work 🙂
thank you for this post! i think the idea of noting down what you want to create in 2014 is such a great idea. i think i might do that to help kick-start my shop off and get a few more things into it!
Lauren
xxx
Hey Ella! Great post as this is something I am currently struggling with!
I have nominated you for the sunshine awards, so if you have a second to have a look, please do…
http://jessicabarrell.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/sunshine-award.html
Your blog is an inspiration to me so keep up the good work!
Jess – jessicabarrell.blogspot.com
This was lovely and i am going to take your advice and try to be inspired everyday!
Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
Thank you Ella, just what I needed at this very moment. What was the name of the book that helped you through uni?
I find that going for a walk (preferably by myself) is really inspiring, it gives me a chance to unwind and also to notice things a bit more, difficult when you are busy with work etc!
Maria xxx
My go to film is eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Michel Gondry makes films so visually stunning with such imagination; and I love the concept of remembering all the little things and taking the good with the bad. Always inspires me 🙂
http://www.littleleightree.co.uk
There steps are wonderful – I think that although the run up to Christmas is such a lovely time of year, it also quickly becomes stressful as we're all so tired and anxious about presents and everything else. So I'll definitely follow these steps when it's all starting to take its toll! Xxx
Your posts always help me to clear my thoughts x
http://rubys-eyes.blogspot.co.uk
i've been feeling depressed lately, which has lead to a lack of being creative and i hate it! sometimes you just need to stop for a while and come back super inspired.
also, that cushion is cute!
Dear Ella,
I’d like to invite you to the Fab Woman Virtual Christmas party to celebrate us, women, creativity and to show the world that all woman is a fab woman. Being an online party all you need to do is to turn on your computer, get comfy with a drink, click on my blog anytime between 19-26th December 2013 and via the party-post imagine together the best celebration ever! Looking forward to seeing you there.
Anami, xx
http://www.anamiblog.com
I just found your blog — this is a wonderful post! It's good to have a solid reminder now and then that sometimes to keep the creative juices flowing, we have to take a break, step back, and relax. You never know where inspiration will crop up!
Cheers!
Kate
http://artsyabroad.blogspot.com