Whether you write poetry, comics, short stories, novels, or something in between, I hope this list can help you inspire some new pieces!
1. Walk outside without music
Woman walkinghttp://watchfit.com/general-health/mental-health/benefits-of-walking-2/
I know, walking around campus might feel miserable to do without your headphones in. Disconnect yourself from distractions and focus on the present moment—the air, the sun, the people around you. You never know who you may see or what you may hear, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for something that could spark an idea!
2. Listen to your favorite songs
Artistic headphoneshttp://www.lovethispic.com/image/20078/hearts-and-headphones
Kind of the opposite of number 1, I know. Music can be very inspiring for artists of any kind and sometimes we like to work in the comfort of our own thoughts and passions!
3. Listen to new music
Large headphoneshttps://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/tech-tips/can-i-record-mix-music-just-using-headphones
Another opposite, I know. I might sound crazy. Sometimes we get too stuck in our comfort zones. Listening to a new musician or a new genre could spark some thought processes that you have never experienced before!
4. Meditation or Prayer
Woman meditating at sunsethttps://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-1059991-silhouette-woman-meditating-during-sunset
Sometimes just some quiet time for yourself and your thoughts with absolutely no outside distractions is the best. Just don't fall asleep!
5. Try a new restaurant
Fun restaurant and barhttps://www.homejournal.hk/en/living/top-5-artsy-restaurants/
As someone who is afraid of trying new foods, this sounds a little scary. But a new environment with new food and maybe even new friends is a recipe for a new masterpiece.
6. Spend time with new people
New friends taking a selfiehttps://www.entitymag.com/socializing-apps-for-making-friends/
Everyone is different. The more people we meet, the more exposure we have to different personalities. This could inspire new characters and start new friendships!
7. Color
Crayola Colored Pencilshttp://time.com/3889581/crayola-colored-pencils-eyeliner/
It might sound childish, but those adult coloring books are so relaxing! Grab yourself one and color something out of the norm. Make an elephant purple and a jellyfish green. The possibilities with color are endless—so are the possibilities with words!
8. Exercise
Woman runningExercise can reduce a ton of stress – stress that blocks the creative connectors in our brains! Work out, shower, and cuddle up in your favorite place to reduce anxiety and improve creativity!
9. Read your own writings
Handwritten storieshttps://www.gretchenlovesanchorage.com/2013/08/17/stories-around-town-4/
I know we hate to read things we wrote. It's like hearing your own voice on a video. Do I really sound like that?! Read your older pieces to see how you have grown as a person and a writer. Maybe even return to an unfinished piece. Use it to reflect and to move your writing forward.
10. READ READ READ!
Books on a shelfhttp://www.mschildcare.org/seven-books-to-read-in-honor-of-black-history-month/
This is probably one of the most important things on this list. As writers, we have to be readers. That way, we can mimic writing we like or challenge writing that we do not. Just like modernist writers, we want to understand the writing culture we come from to challenge it and push it forward!
