10 New Sources of Inspiration for You to Explore Today

Wherever you go, there is a source of inspiration waiting to be discovered. From the commute you take every morning to the packaging gracing supermarket shelves, creativity abounds. What you choose to do with these visual images, snippets of overheard conversations, and million-dollar ideas is up to you.

If being more creative in your own life is an idea you’d like to explore, now is the time to do so. Never has there ever been a time greater for sharing than there is today. Take one look at television or the internet and you’ll bear witness to inspiring ideas in motion immediately.

Here are ten sources of inspiration for you to explore today:

1. Your favorite social media influencers.

If you’re looking for ways to stay fit and remain healthy, you’ll find plenty of ideas through sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Your favorite social media influencers recommend everything from morning routines to the best water bottles to use. Let them remain a source of inspiration for your own creative routines and lifestyle.

2. Blogs that highlight unusual ideas, places, and people.

If you’re more of a reader than you are someone who glimpses images on social media, let the bloggers that you follow serve as guides for your journey to inspired living. Follow blogs that make creativity a priority. See which ideas you’d be willing to try in your own life. You’d be surprised at how motivational some bloggers can be.

3. The public library.

There are many types of media to choose from. Best of all, it’s free with a library card. In addition to books, magazines, movies, and CDs, you can check out artwork, different tools, and even take complimentary classes.

4. Cool packaging, typography, and logos.

A trip to the supermarket or department store could be an act of creativity rather than of necessity. You’ll find packaging of interest everywhere you go. Look for unusual fonts, layouts, and logos. Use what you’ve gathered as ‘homework’ to start your own project.

5. Unusual natural patterns.

The Great Outdoors serves as a virtual wonderland for inspiration. See which types of patterns and textures you find in the natural world. Take photos or collect samples of what you’ve found. Leaves, rocks, and pinecones may very well be referenced in your own body of work.

6. Your ancestry.

Getting to know where you came from and your family’s past is exciting. It could lend to all sorts of creative projects for you in the future. Read your ancestors’ stories and get to know how they lived. Learn their languages, customs, and even cooking styles. It’ll be something you’ll never regret learning to do.

7. Other countries.

There is a lot to discover from countries around the world. Explore one of interest and get to know what makes it unique. Find out more about its people, customs, and traditions. Gain a deeper appreciation for your own country in its uniqueness in the process.

8. Old journals, notepads, and sketchbooks.

Recycle your ideas into something new and fresh. Use the creative projects from your past and challenge yourself to utilize them in different ways than you first intended. If you want to get really inventive, ask a family member or friend to give you one of their old books full of writing or drawings to work with.

9. Maps. 

Colorful and full of imagery, you’ll find lots to look at on old road maps and topography websites. See what sparks an idea in your own mind. Use it to draw, paint or develop a new app. The sky is the limit when it comes to your imagination.

10. Your kitchen.

When in doubt, cook. Experiment with different ingredients, fresh herbs, and spices. See where the flavors take you. Let your senses get fully immersed in the experience.

Pique your curiosity by finding new sources of inspiration to explore right away. It will open your eyes to opportunities that didn’t exist in your mind before. It will nudge you out of your comfort zone so you’re better able and willing to expand your horizons by meeting new people and exploring new ideas, concepts, places, and activities. Being constantly inspired by things helps stoke your creative fire and bring innovation and imagination into your life.