Why We Need Inspiration
Inspiration harnesses intrinsic motivation which is vital to success. Inspiration keeps your work, relationships, passion projects, and energy thriving. It is needed for self-esteem, mastery of work, creativity, and optimism. It’s why we progress as a species and it influences the human experience.
Momentum and desire are key components for any goal and inspiration is the fuel. It drives the subconscious to persist. Inspiration impacts our perception of life, especially the ability to see possibilities and opportunities. When we are abundant in the phenomenon of inspiration we have more energy and awareness.
When Inspiration Dies
2019 punched my inspiration in the gut and 2020 was the knockout to the jaw. I spent 3 years writing/editing a book and then went through 1.5 years of the worst writer’s block and dwindling purpose.
I became paralyzed with the fear of taking more steps forward. It’s been several months since I’ve even published a blog post. Though I have written over 300,000 words since the start of this year, I’ve published 0.
I lost all inspiration for life over the last couple of years. I’ve tried everything to get it back. I drove from Raleigh to Seattle. From Los Angeles to Key West.
I hiked through different mountain ranges and dove into different oceans. I meditated. I discovered new music. I read books. I met many interesting people, having in-depth conversations. I listened to endless podcasts and TedTalks. I changed my routines. I invested in courses. Nothing. I came to the conclusion that it’s me. It has to be me. I am not trying hard enough.
Inspiration Killers
Need to Control:
The irony about trying so hard to be healthy is it can end up taking a toll on your health. Being stressed about achieving health, ultimately, kills health.
Is it the same for inspiration? Is it all in my head that I have had writer’s block for almost two years and I don’t feel anything anymore? That I don’t see the inspiration in the world? What changed? Is it in my control? What am I doing wrong?
Feeling that you have to control every element of your life, down to the state of your being is not giving yourself any room to breathe. In attempting to control everything you close yourself off to new ideas and expeirences.
Overwhelm:
We live in a time of information overload. We are constantly exposed to the news and social media where every person has a platform for their opinion. Losing your sense of being grounded is a recipe to get lost in the abyss of contradicting points of view. It’s easy to lose the ability to think for yourself, to perceive the world in your own way.
Fear:
Fear comes in all forms. I’ve realized 90% of fear is an illusion based on beliefs. Fear of being judged, rejected, misunderstood. I have struggled with worrying I am being ignorant and delusional for thinking there is anything positive worth seeking out in the current state of the world.
Perfectionism:
This one has been a huge issue for me. It’s not original enough. There are errors I missed. Is it concise? Is there a point? It’s dumb. It’s shallow. It makes no sense. Perfectionism is debilitating to career, academic, and personal output.
You can drag every project out. Anything creative will never be done. It will never be ready. Sharing your work is half the reason you create!
Revitalizing Inspiration
Vulnerability
Oh, hey! This is a fear I’ve noted to overcome. Writer’s Digest rated my book a 4/5 with the criticism that I should strive to be more vulnerable. They recommended more emotion, personal development, and openness. I’ll keep ya updated on how this one is going but for now, I just have my toes in the water.
Authenticity
Often, content is trimmed to show the most appealing aspects of a topic or lifestyle. Yes, it’s entertaining, skillful, and artistic to maintain aesthetics and appeal to an audience of a particular niche. Travel, beauty, fitness, finances, business, spirituality, etc. Writers, photographers, musicians, and lifestyle influencers can manipulate reality to dim the difficult, mundane, and uncomfortable aspects.
Being authentic is to let your guard down with the intent to connect to others and yourself. That connection brings clarity to values, intentions, and purpose thus aiding in confidence.
Feeling
To feel something, anything, even if it’s pain will remind you that you’re alive. So many of us cope by dissociating or repressing feelings. We numb what we don’t want to feel but unfortunately, I’ve learned the hard way you can’t selectively numb feelings. To block out the bad is to also block out the good.
Acceptance
Acceptance feels counterproductive at first. That you if surrender to the fact you’re stuck, you’re not feeling how you wanted to, you didn’t accomplish what you wanted to accomplish, you’re not the best version of yourself…you’re just stuck. But like a Chinese finger trap, the harder you fight to break free, the tighter the grip gets.
Accept you’re numb. You’re not aligned. Let go of the belief that you are supposed to be happy, creative, innovative, inspired, and energetic all of the time. What is this frustrating and stagnant time trying to teach you?
You might just find inspiration in having no inspiration at all.
Conclusion:
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for hanging in there with me on this one. I wrote this from the couch and told myself I am not getting up until I publish it. So here we are. A piece of writing that wasn’t quite articulated with structure, mind-blowing substance, or clear purpose. If only a few people read it, maybe it’ll be enough to start some momentum again. Thank you!