How to Get Inspired : 5 Ways I find Inspiration without the Internet

Wondering How to Get Inspired? I am sharing 5 tried and true ways that I find inspiration without Pinterest or the Internet. I have been doing these things since middle school. Be it looking for inspiration for my next art project or outfit, these 5 ways that I find inspiration have helped me time and time again when I catch myself in a creative rut. 

Now, don’t get me wrong- I LOVE me some Pinterest, but do you find yourself just pinning away, constantly looking for inspiration but not ever stepping away from Pinterest to actually apply it?! No…just me?! hehe

…But really, I am sure you can relate. Pinterest can be like a time warp, that sucks away your time AND creative drive all at once. I have boards that I use for inspiration for my art, and designs and some days when I go back to it I just start pinning away like a zombie or just get stuck feeling like I’ll never create something as cool as what I pinned… Ya know? 
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In these cases, I believe it’s always good to go back to your roots. And when I was young, and un-jaded by the world (and the internet and all of its cool ideas), I was filled with so much creative energy and could find inspiration everywhere. 

SO, I started thinking about what I would do when I needed inspiration back then and realized, other than Pinterest and the internet (and wine)- I still find inspiration the same way. And for me, it ALWAYS works. 

So if you want to know How to Get Inspired without the internet, try these 5 things and let me know how it works for you!

How to Get Inspired without the Internet - 5 Ways:

1. Go thrifting // antiquing :: For me, there is just something about going to a thrift store that really gets my gears uh-firin’! Digging through people’s old junk always sparks inspiration for me. Even if it may not be something I would buy, I can find inspiration in the designs, prints and old books and nicknacks that can be found. ​

thrifting in East Atlanta village

2.  Get out in nature :: When I say I believe in returning to your roots, I mean it literally. Get outside, smell the fresh air, let the sun hit your face and clear your mind. Look around and find inspiration in the mundane beauty that nature has to offer.

roaming the flower fields in the South of France

3. Go to a library or bookstore :: I don’t know about you, but I love books. From their covers, to their smells, to the beautifully written words and pictures inside. There is always inspiration to be found inside of a bookstore or library. I personally could spend hours flipping through and tabbing off pages in books (or snapping pictures on my phones -SHHHHH!!).

A rainbow library I spoted in Iceland

4. Flip through old magazines :: Like books, magazines- old and new, are a great source of inspiration. So, next time you're at your Grandma’s house, flip through her old stack of magazines. Trends are always repeating themselves, and an old college professor of mine once told me that good artist borrow, but great artist steal an idea and make it better ;P

image via unsplash by Charisse Kenion

5. Get inspired by Music :: I mean HELLO! Who doesn't love music and use it as a source of inspiration to make them  feel better, good and creative?!?! But digger deeper than just the sounds you hear, look at the words, album art and music video. Be inspired be the full experience.

some of my favorite records

I hope at least one of these five ways can help you find inspiration if you are feeling in a creative rut. But please, share with me (and my readers) what you do to get + stay inspired in the comments. We all have those moments where we find ourselves in a rut, and no matter how much we don’t want to be there, sometimes its hard (but keep fighting, you got this). Remember to support and uplift your fellow artist and creatives, always!

Psst!: How do you stay inspired? Share with us in the comments!