Talking About My Inspiration With...ME!

I'm excited to begin this new series called Talking About My Inspiration. Every Thursday, bloggers will answer questions about things that inspire them, how they organize inspiration and what they do with it.

photo by ohhellofriend

Today, I'm answering my own questions. I thought it would be good to not only make me think about what inspires me, but also share a bit about myself with you in the process.

from top left: glitterem; kasaa; gomattolson; rockygirl05

Quick, without thinking, what does inspiration mean to you?

To me, inspiration is energy. It’s like a light bulb clicks and all of a sudden the ideas swirling around my head come together and make sense. I have to reach for the nearest piece of paper (or napkin or hand) to write everything down before the thoughts float away. Sometimes, for me, inspiration comes and goes just like that.

Is there one task that always requires some inspiration to help you accomplish?
Organizing! Having a place for everything and everything in its place makes my home and life more peaceful and productive. Unfortunately, getting it together is often a daunting task. I usually need to look at pictures of pretty, organized rooms and great products available for motivation.

When you’re in a creative rut, where is the first place you go/look to be inspired?
I keep running lists of random thoughts, potential ideas and fun finds. These are in notebooks, folders on my computer desktop, in a Delicious account, sometimes even in my head. I always look at one of these first when I need immediate inspiration. This always leads me a website I want to check out or reminds me of a project I’ve got filed away.

I am obsessed with inspiration boards. Do you keep anything like this (board, journal, etc.) to help you catalog bits of inspiration?
I dream of a massive bulletin board with a gorgeous frame covered in tear sheets, photographs, sketches and fabric samples. You name it and I have imagined on my fantasy inspiration board. The only problem is, I am terrible at keeping one. I guess this is why I’m obsessed with everyone else’s. Thankfully, I’m great at filing, and I have a large accordion file divided by interests. This is the place I stash everything related to different (long-term) projects I have going on. My lists (see #3) are for things I need done this week.

What are your top 5 sources of inspiration?

• my church When I go in, I may feel stressed, frustrated or discouraged. I walk out thankful for my blessings, excited to use my God-given gifts and content in my journey. There is nothing more inspiring than to know I am forgiven and that no matter what happens in this life, something greater, something incomprehensible, is waiting.

• my lists The items on my lists come mainly from magazines, blogs or ideas I have because of something I read in a magazine or blog. Referring to these lists always jump starts my thought process no matter what the project.

• bookstores If I need to get away for a little while, I head to the bookstore where I am surrounded by tons of creative resources. A few hours spent scanning a new book, flipping through magazines and thinking without interruption practically guarantees new ideas and renewed energy.

• blank paper Whether in a well-worn spiral notebook or a luxurious leather journal, a blank page represents beginning. I might write, draw, plan a party or make a budget. Whatever it is usually leads to something bigger, even if it is a discussion with my husband over why our daughter can’t have two birthday parties.

• my magazine stash I keep a lot of magazines. Sometimes I go through them for a purpose like when I have an article idea I can’t wrap my head around or I need to know why my daughter randomly freaks out around certain people. Sometimes I read them just because it’s been awhile and I want to see if anything new catches my eye.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into everything that inspires me. Check back every Thursday to see what other bloggers have to say.