Looking out on the morning rain...

I used to feel uninspired...WaaOop - you know the rest of the words, right? You know, the Carol King song - the one that used to be in the shampoo commercial (can't remember which one it was)...Anyway, you guessed it, this blog post is about what to do when you're feeling uninspired, and wouldn't it be nice if it was as easy as washing your hair with a certain shampoo and tada - you're inspired again?!

Here are just a few things that have helped me get back into the inspirational groove:

1. blog hopping - you know when you look at one blog and then you see a link to another one and then five blogs later you can't remember how you got there...
2. visiting a museum or gallery - I'm a really visual person, so just looking at the color of a painting or the texture/shape of a sculpture can get the wheels turning
3. going to the bookstore - no need to buy, just browse - it's amazing what interesting tidbits you learn by reading the back of a book or an article in a magazine
4. window shopping - I'm lucky to live in a city where people spend a lot of time on their window dispalys - I love checking out the window displays at Raulph Lauren on Michigan Ave.
5. play with your kids (or your niece or nephew) - kids always have the best imaginations and lots of energy - I remember once I was babysitting for my nephews and instead of watching a movie we took a deck of cards and tried to build a mini fort for all their little army men - I had a blast (and I think they did too)
6. watch HGTV - I'm a huge fan and I love watching the transformations of little run down offices into a functional and stylish space
7. get your heart pumping - sometimes all you need to do is go for a run, a walk or visit the gym
8. play with a pet - dogs and cats never seem to worry, they always just go with the flow and are a good way to take your mind off your worries (in turn leaving your mind a little more clear to pick up on anything that might inspire you)
   
   
   
9. cook or bake something and don't follow a recipe - sometimes the best way to let go is to not follow the directions - experiment - go wild - and if it doesn't turn out - no big deal, there's always take-out
10. write or doodle - it doesn't need to make sense, sometimes if you just get whatever is in your head out on paper it has a freeing effect - you don't need it taking up space in your brain when it's already recorded in your notebook
    

I'm interested in hearing what works for you? Please share...

Picture credits: © 2009 Suzy Rohan