Personally, I've never found a way to 'be' creative. I really like The Oatmeal's take on creativity: when you read, do new things, explore, or whatever, you inhale. Creative outbursts are exhalations. You can't have too much of the one without a sufficient amount of the other. So I get inspiration from the things around me that I find interesting. More often than not, it is by being able to combine a bunch of disparate thoughts with something challenging that drives me to actually make something. My first article, for example, was a combination of a few articles I've read here mixed with my own thoughts and the challenge of writing for a larger audience. Another interpretation of your question is about what inspires hope in life, in the motivational sense. That is a much harder question - it's not one that I am good at articulating, let alone write a one-paragraph answer to. The first thing that comes to mind is to have something to work towards that you care about. Life is about the journey, but without a destination you won't get very far.
You might find Mark's essay on design useful.
I'm gonna say my more painful or sad experiences. This is in no way speaking for everyone else, but the creative pieces I have always returned to were born from my deeper conflicts manifested in word (in my case). They serve as deep breaths in an already complicated day to day. Some of them are dramatically overdone, or too soft to mean anything to anyone. All of them though have pain, sadness, anger, or doubt tied to them.
I think hope. As I thought about the question I wanted to say something like overcoming adversity, but that isn't it. It's the hope that with whatever effort, a goal might be achieved. Hope is unbounded optimism, and I find that inspiring.
Being surrounded by inspiring people. It's surprising how much the energy around me affects me - a lot more than I'd like sometimes. Just released a video of this project we did with an artist friend, and it was super awesome to see him work. I hope my video does it justice: Since I can't be travelling ALL THE TIME, I was thinking of making more art-related videos like that too in the future. Give my channel a bit of a unique angle with culture and travel meshed? I'll try that out in my next trip to Berlin and see how it works out.
Came to say people and you beat me to it. I like to dive into the lives of people whose work I admire and learn about how they came to do what they do. I’m most motivated to get my work done when I see other people crushing their game, whatever it is. I get that innate talents (or genetics) are a factor in most fields of expertise, but I’ve seen enough people earn their way into greatness to believe that nobody is born into it, regardles of the opportunity or privilege they were born into.
Yeah. Surrounding myself with hard working people has been key. It's a common adage that you're the average of the 5 people you hang out with the most. And it's been really true. I've become ruthless about ditching negative people from my circle of friends. My friend once said he likes to surround himself with as many diametrically different people as possible, so you're pulled into all directions. Hang out with stock brokers, shamans, artists, nurses, old people, kids and you're gonna be a vastly more interesting person than average.
Love this. It’s the most painful part of being at a college built on uniformity, learning by way of interacting with my peers never extends past performance on our common and responsibilities. Why I envy your travels so much :) Hang out with stock brokers, shamans, artists, nurses, old people, kids and you're gonna be a vastly more interesting person that average
I love this idea! The Alain de Botton of vlogs! I also like that it helps your viewers connect with you, personally. You talk about/show artwork that means something to you, and we learn something about you at the same time. Better connection with your audience. That's a Good Thing. Since I can't be travelling ALL THE TIME, I was thinking of making more art-related videos like that too in the future. Give my channel a bit of a unique angle with culture and travel meshed?
Man. This is a question, isn't it? "What inspires me?" I'm not sure I know, honestly. But I know when I am inspired. My skin gets goosebumps. The hair on the back of my neck stands up. I buzz. It can be a turn of phrase. An image. A part of a song. An idea. Sand between my toes. Beauty, in all its forms. Industrial areas. Empty office space. (Because I like to invent new businesses in my head, and think up the perfect business for THIS specific space.) Good design. Clever details. I get inspiration from things all around me. They may inspire awe, or wonder, or action, but they all touch me in an inspirational way. I like this question ... I'm going to noodle this some more ...
I agree with some of the people already spoken. Personally, I'd rather bring new perspective than repeat, so here's my answer: Mastery. It feels fantastic to hear professionals discuss aspects of their field with each other. I might not have the same grasp on the idea as they do, but the sheer depth of conversation drives me crazy from joy. I'd listen to Stephen Hawking discussing fringe physics theories with another expert if it costs me my diploma. I'd listen to Eminem discussing the philosophy of rap and his perspective on it as a white rapper if I get fired for it.
That's so true! I once listened for hours an engineer talk about wood-cutting technologies in Sweden, how we're not really doing it right in Canada, and how he set up a paper-processing plant in SE Asia to help develop communities. He worked 30 years in the industry and it was fascinating to listen to. Who knew a conversation about trees and paper could be so interesting.