Get Inspired: Inspiration is one of the most mysterious things about being human. You don’t know where it comes from exactly, but you know that when you live without it, life is dull and without flavor. If you’re going through a hard time, like a breakup or a job transition, you may feel the lack of inspiration more deeply than others. Here are five things you can do to reignite your inspiration so that you can get back to living life to the fullest. 

1. Explore the World

Travel is the perfect prescription to fix a dull perspective. When you’re feeling stuck with where you are in life, going somewhere new can shake up your ideas and help you regain inspiration. Even a short trip can do wonders for your sense of self and adventure, so you don’t have to overthink things like booking a tour and a hotel. Start with straightforward research on how to travel by bus in Europe or how to plan a cruise, and from there you can find plenty of ideas on how and where to go. The important thing is that you leave home and go experience new things. 

2. Take a Sojourn in Nature

Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, nature can still be a panacea for what ails you. From a short drive down the coast to breathe in the sea air to a casual stroll through your local park to watch the squirrels, being in nature has a healing effect on the mind and soul. You’ll have to put down your phone and take a break from snapping pictures, but once you are present and surrounded by nature, you will start to feel the calming and inspiring effects. 

You can enjoy nature even if the weather is bad. Here are some simple ideas to help you take advantage of the free therapy that is nature:

• Visit a greenhouse or an aquarium on a cold or stormy day.
• Book a birdwatching trip through a local university or city group.
• Sit by a fountain, lake, stream, or canal to soak in the sound of running water.
• Start a window planter box for flowers or herbs.
• Enjoy a solo picnic under the trees at a local park.

3. Engage Your Mind 

One quick way to find inspiration is to learn a new skill or practice something you love. If you have always dreamed of traveling to a foreign country, you could start your journey sooner by studying the local language or learning how to cook a local dish.

Another way to engage your mind is to make time for your favorite hobbies, especially reading, painting, photography, music, and creative writing. Making something of your own is a guaranteed way to find a new perspective on life and feel inspired. Plus, there’s an added benefit, because you can process whatever you are struggling with through your art and let that guide your creativity.

4. Connect with Friends and Family

If you’re having difficulty finding inspiration in your own life, you can reach out to your loved ones for support. Not only is it important to combat feelings of loneliness, which can lead to anxiety and depression, but you may find that someone close to you is a source of inspiration.

Try talking about what inspires that person or asking them about what they are grateful for in life. You may find that really interesting conversations happen with elders in your family or your community. People who have been through a lot in life tend to be resilient and understand how to find inspiration. They can be a good source for you.

Inspiration may be elusive, but it’s not impossible to grab it for yourself. Your journey in life is unique, so what inspires you may be different from what inspires someone else. The more you are in touch with your own wants and needs, the easier it will be to get inspired.