How to Find Inspiration in Life
Learn about the science behind inspiration and the incredible benefits it can have on our lives.
Psychologists define inspiration as being motivated by something outside yourself that evokes an idea and/or the impulse to produce something creatively. It’s “a motivational state that compels individuals to bring ideas into fruition” (Oleynick et al., 2014).
When we’re inspired, we feel a strong sense of purpose and direction. Inspiration can lead to the generation of new ideas, the pursuit of personal goals, the creation of art, the solving of problems, and the development of innovative concepts. Inspiration is also considered a positive emotion (Watson et al., 1988). It’s characterized by feelings of excitement, motivation, and awe.
Some sources or triggers of inspiration include:
● New ideas and experiences: This could involve reading books, watching movies, traveling, or meeting new people. When we are exposed to new things, it can help us to see the world in new ways and come up with new ideas.
● Challenges and setbacks: While they are typically unpleasant at the time, challenges and setbacks can actually be a source of inspiration. They can force us to think outside the box and come up with new solutions.
● Nature: Being in nature has been shown to boost creativity and promote inspiration. This is likely because nature can help us to relax and clear our minds.
● Other people: We can be inspired by the people around us, such as our friends, family, mentors, and role models. Seeing what others have accomplished can motivate us to achieve our own goals.
● Passion: When we are passionate about something, we are more likely to be inspired to work hard and achieve our goals. Passion can also help us to overcome challenges and setbacks.
● Awe: The experience of awe promotes inspiration (Dai & Jiang, 2023). Awe is the feeling of experiencing something larger than yourself, something that is difficult to integrate into your current understanding of the world (Keltner & Haidt, 2003).
● Art: Art can inspire us to think differently, see the world in new ways, and express ourselves creatively.
Like all emotions, the feeling of inspiration comes from your brain. In a recent study, inspiration was triggered by giving people a design problem to solve and then exposing them to clues or objects that help to evoke solutions. During this process, brain imaging showed that different parts of the brain are active when engaging in inspirational thinking (Goucher-Lambert et al., 2019).
Ideas for Inspiration
Here are some ideas for finding inspiration:
● Connect with art: Visit art galleries, museums, and exhibitions.
● Listen to music: Discover new genres and artists. Pay attention to the lyrics and emotions conveyed.
● Experience nature: Spend time at parks, in forests, or by the ocean. Mindfully observe your surroundings.
● Exercise: Move your body; this can jumpstart your creative brain.
● Journal: Keep a journal to document your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Reflect on your goals and aspirations.
● Read: Read books and articles from lots of different genres and perspectives. Explore topics you’re not familiar with.
● Try something new: Try something outside of your comfort zone. Learn a new skill or start a new hobby. Learning something new can be stimulating and inspiring, not to mention confidence-building.
● Travel: Experience new cultures and landscapes. Interact with people from different backgrounds that may have different ideas and perspectives.
● Practice mindfulness and mediation: Practice mindfulness to stay present and focused. Meditation can help clear your mind and stimulate creativity.
● Have conversations: Engage in meaningful conversations with diverse people. Discuss ideas, experiences, and challenges.
In Sum
Inspiration is a powerful force that can lead to personal and professional growth. It can help us overcome challenges, persevere in the face of adversity, and create something new and innovative. In addition to its ability to spark breakthroughs in science, technology, and design, it also has many benefits for our health and well-being. Some of the benefits include personal growth, connection, enhanced productivity, and sharpened focus. But perhaps the biggest benefit is the influence it can have on our happiness and feelings of fulfillment in life.
While we can’t make inspiration happen with something like willpower, we can create an environment to encourage it. It’s important to be curious, challenge the norm, look beyond the obvious, and seek out new experiences.
References
● Dai, Y., & Jiang, T. (2023). Inspired by awe: Awe promotes inspiration via self-transcendence. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 1–15.
● Goucher-Lambert, K., Moss, J., & Cagan, J. (2019). A neuroimaging investigation of design ideation with and without inspirational stimuli—understanding the meaning of near and far stimuli. Design Studies, 60, 1–38.
● Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314.
● Oleynick, V. C., Thrash, T. M., LeFew, M. C., Moldovan, E. G., & Kieffaber, P. D. (2014). The scientific study of inspiration in the creative process: Challenges and opportunities. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 436.
● Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063.