My Favourite Places to Find Creative Inspiration
We all have moments where inspiration feels a little out of reach. Whether it’s for writing, creating, or simply sharing online, it’s easy to feel stuck and unsure of what to say next. If you’ve felt like this, don’t worry, I’ve experienced this so many times. But when that does happen, I find it helps to step back, notice, and do the things that naturally inspire me in everyday life. Inspiration is everywhere if we pause long enough to see it. I find that ideas rarely come from rushing and instead they emerge through a slower, more nourishing approach, like paying attention to the small details around me, pausing to reflect, and giving my thoughts space to settle. Inspiration can be found in the words we read, the conversations we have, and even in the small routines that make up our day.
Here’s where I love to find and gather inspiration…
Stories & quotes that inspire
I love sticky tabs! If you flip through the books on my shelf, you’ll see them everywhere. Even on my Kindle, you’ll find plenty of highlights. I mark sentences that make me pause, reflect, or spark a bit of creative inspiration.
In this Substack journal entry, I was inspired by a quote from a book I read while on holiday and wove it into my own writing. This journal entry was also inspired by my favourite quotes that I’ve collected over time. I love how a single line can branch into so many ideas - one quote can spark a story, a journal entry, or even a whole new way of thinking that can inspire creativity.
A cup of tea & a magazine
I’ve found that sometimes the best thing you can do is simply something you love. It helps you feel calm, shifts your focus, and often, when you least expect it, a glimmer of inspiration appears. That’s exactly what happened when a quote from my fave mag, The Simple Things, inspired one of my Slow Notes journal entries. Plus a cup of tea and a magazine is the perfect combination!
A couple other magazines that I love to read are Breathe and Country Living.
Online spaces I enjoy
If you asked me what my favourite platform is right now, I’d have to say Substack! I’ve been there for a couple of years now, and it truly has such a warm and supportive community. You can read more about why I decided to make the switch to Substack here. It’s not only a space where I love to write, but also where I enjoy reading the work of so many wonderful writers.
Here’s a few that I really enjoy…
Making Time by Bella Foxwell
A Kitchen Notebook by Java Ceridwen Bere
Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge by David Barton (of course!)
Conversations I Have With Myself by Jen Carrington
A Simple Living Journal by Debbie Meredith
…and so many more! Sometimes a sentence or a paragraph can plant a thought or idea that begins to grow and blossom into many different pieces of creative work.
Noticing what people ask
Whenever I’m chatting with someone, whether it’s a client, a reply to a post I’ve shared, or a question from an Instagram story, I try to take note of the questions I’m asked. Often, if one person is asking something, it’s likely on the minds of many others too. Those questions can blossom into all sorts of creative ideas: a social media post, a blog post, a newsletter, a podcast, and more.
Even when I see someone ask a question elsewhere, a little idea lights up and I think, “Hang on a sec… I can answer that!”
Chats with friends or fellow makers and creators
My husband David and I were chatting to a friend in town who’s also a maker and creator, and the conversation naturally turned to our online spaces. They shared a few things they were finding tricky, reflecting on, and had questions about. Immediately, a little lightbulb went off in my head. It’s these kinds of conversations that inspire my creative work, helping others who might be feeling the same way, while also giving me fresh insights to things I may not have considered before.
…I love how inspiration can show up in the most unexpected places. It might come from a walk, a chat, a book, or even while reading a magazine and sipping a warm cup of tea . Sometimes it’s a little thought that grows slowly, and other times it appears all at once. These little moments often bloom into new ideas, reflections, and creative projects, while gently weaving their way into my work.
Where do you turn when you’re seeking a bit of inspiration? I’d love to know!