Killing Boredom, and Seizing Creativity & Inspiration
Hello, my foxes!
Creativity, inspiration...ahhh those elusive sensations. For many, feelings of inspiration and creativity are infrequent, fleeting apparitions in an abyss of boredom and status quo. I have lived in the void, from time to time. But I have the key to bring the specters of creativity and inspiration to life. I ain’t afraid of no ghosts! 👻
The trouble is, when we crave inspiration, when we want to be creative, we are focused on the resulting feeling that eludes us. We think that we need inspiration to be creative, and creativity to create, but inspiration and creativity are as elusive as the wind without a sail. Try to reach out and catch the wind with bare hands. That didn’t work? Put your hands behind your back and try with your mouth. Haha, desperate chicken! Got you.
Instead, let’s be smart foxes. Creativity is real and constantly available. Inspiration is tangible and infinite. We just need the right tools to harness them. Today, I’m sharing with you one of my favorite tools: curiosity.
It's common to have trouble recalling how we sparked feelings of creativity and inspiration, because in the moment, we are too engaged. But that is exactly what we need to look at, our engagement. Our engagement isn’t about the task, inspiration, or creativity. Rather, it’s about indulging our curiosity.
Curiosity and boredom are like the on and off positions of a light switch, respectively. It’s much harder to live in the dark. Why not turn on the lights? If we are curious, we cannot be bored. Our minds are too interested. Curiosity leads to interest, and, when acted upon, leads to engagement. Thus, curiosity kills boredom. Boom shaka laka!
And when we are interested, we engage in a deeper thought process than the typical shallow mindset we use for day to day activities. We know how to, and often do, function on auto-pilot. Auto-pilot is a killer of creativity and inspiration. So let’s flip the switch to manual and get curious.
If you tell me you aren’t curious about anything, I’m calling B.S. Yes you are. We all are. Maybe we just haven’t allowed ourselves to explore our true interests. Instead of dismissing activities, reading material, and hobbies, we should dismiss social, cultural, and personal norms and judgments. When we embrace that which we are interested in, we become engaged and inspired. We start researching, practicing, and creating. We explore the unknown, and it is super fun!
If you’re having trouble identifying your curiosities, think about what you choose to do to relax, or what you do in your time between obligations. If you’re always looking forward to your next meal, get nerdy about gastronomy! I can taste cooking courses in your future...oh wait, that’s my future! My mind is filled with food dreams galore.
Investigate your interests, and I promise you will feel inspired. You will not be able to help yourself. You’ll have new ideas that you’ll need to explore, and it will be delightful. You’ll probably start creating as a byproduct of learning about your interests. Notes turn into art, into lessons, into a blog, into anything you’re inspired to build.
I’m betting you’ll also make new friends and have even more interesting conversations. When you’re engaged, you gain more knowledge as you deep-dive into your interests. Interests are interesting! Your curiosity, your passion, will be infectious and soon enough you may be answering these same questions: Where do you get your inspiration? How did you become so creative? I recommend that you make them do the chicken dance before you give your answer. Haha 🐓!
I’m curious about your curiosities. What inspires you? In which endeavors do you wish you felt creative and inspired? Send me an email and let me know! In the meantime, celebrate your curiosity and stay foxy.
Three cheers for my lovely foxes,
“I would rather die of passion than boredom.”
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