Whether you’re creative minded or not, it’s always great to be inspired in life. In fact, I think inspiration is something we don’t bring up enough. That’s why, today, I’m going to talk about how to find inspiration.

I’ve had moments of low inspiration and high inspiration during the last few months, and I’ve realized that I need to be proactive about getting and maintaining my inspiration.

Because when we’re inspired, we’re more motivated to help others, to help ourselves, to let our internal lights shine, to stay active and healthy and to create and live a more full life. And who doesn’t want all of that?

The definition of inspiration is …

The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. A sudden brilliant, creative or timely idea. It is a feeling of enthusiasm you get from someone or something, that gives you new and creative ideas … If you describe someone or something good as an inspiration, you mean that they make you or other people want to do or achieve something.”

Good stuff, right? No matter what your role in life is, it’s always better to be inspired than not.

Now, let’s get into some of my tips …

How to find inspiration (and why you should care)

While these tips may not be groundbreaking, they are things that I am intentional about doing each week, and I think they really spark something in me.

We are all inspired by different things, so hopefully you can use this list to find what works for you in your own way, in your own unique life.

Read nonfiction books with a positive message.

I think nonfiction books have been given a bad reputation in the past, because oftentimes they are too preachy, all about science or do nothing but make you feel bad about your life. And those types of books are not the ones I’m talking about.

I wrote a post about this list of health and wellness books that changed my life. 

However, I’ve read a bunch of other great books since then that truly inspired me. What I love most is to read transformation stories, with life tips built in of what someone learned along the way. If you’ve never dipped your toe in the self-development or professional development book pond, I’d recommend you give it a go. You can get a lot from a good book.

Here are a few great nonfiction books I’ve read within the last year that were inspiring to me in career, personal growth or health …

• Marie Forleo’s “Everything Is Figureoutable”
• Cameron Diaz’s “The Body Book”
• Rachel Hollis’s “Girl, Stop Apologizing”
• Jen Sincero’s “You Are a Badass”
• Maria Shriver’s “I’ve Been Thinking”

Follow uplifting Instagram accounts.

Okay, the truth is, a quote tile cannot change your day.

However, I find that filling my social media feed with positive and uplifting content, makes me feel uplifted. And sometimes, a simple quote can spark an idea or some joy, and that’s a good thing. (It’s sure better than following Instagram accounts that make you feel down or bad about yourself.)

Here are some of my favorite positive accounts to follow on Instagram …

• Tiny Buddha Official — this may be one of my favorite accounts.
• My Self-Love Supply — this is a sweet account with tips on self-care and self-love.
• The Chalkboard Mag — great wellness and self-care insight.
• Full Spirit Quotes — I just started following this account, and it’s a real delight.
• The Good Quote — lots of gems on this account.

Listen to educational podcasts on a solo, slow walk outside.

The combination of learning through a podcast and moving my body in the fresh air is heavenly.

Whenever I need to change my mindset or tone, I can either do a workout, or listen to a podcast on a slow walk. It’s so rewarding.

I wrote a post about my favorite health and wellness podcasts a couple of years ago, and I still listen to a lot of these.

But here are some helpful podcasts that I’ve been listening to lately for inspiration …

• Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher — mostly about owning a small business, but still valuable.
• The Rise Podcast by Rachel Hollis — a lot about business, but also mindset and being a woman with a vision.
• The Mindbodygreen Podcast — all about wellness with great interviews from experts.
• The Model Health Show by Shawn Stevenson — this is the first podcast I ever listened to before podcasts were cool, and it is so full of great health information that is all research based.

I’m actively trying to set a goal to listen to two podcasts a week, and sometimes I fit them in while folding laundry. But when I listen to them on a walk, somehow it just means more. And if you’ve never listened to a podcast before, they are free. What have you got to lose?

Chat and converse with people and friends who lift you up and challenge you.

When you’re feeling un-inspired and low about things in life, it can be common to turn inward and avoid conversations and avoid other people entirely. 

However, this is actually a great time to get inspiration from other people. I love my regular Beautycounter calls with team members, as well as my semi-regularly FaceTime dates with some of my blogging buddies to discuss ideas, projects and goals. These get-togethers always inspire me to do new things and to do more. But on another level, just chatting with friends who know me and care about me makes me feel happy as well.

Well, positive feelings bring more positive feelings, and inspiration can flow from there.

Browse wellness websites for information and insight.

I don’t spend as much time consuming content as I used to before Brady.

That’s mostly because I spend most of my computer time working or creating. However, I do like to make sure I’m seeing what is trending out there and get ideas from things.

Here are the websites I like to visit to read about wellness, life and more …

• Mindbodygreen — short articles on health, mindset and self-care.
• The Chalkboard Magazine — short articles on health and food.
• Well and Good — short articles on fitness and wellness.
• Camille Styles — lots of great life, health and fashion tips.

I’m certainly not saying you need to read a lot of websites to be inspired, but I am saying that branching out from your everyday news sites could be helpful.

Meditate and get some space to think or not think.

The thing is, meditating isn’t about sitting and thinking, it’s actually about sitting and breathing and being separate from your thoughts to be totally present.

However, I find that the ability to be present can actually be really inspiring. Because you’re not dreaming of the past or future, you’re in the moment.

Giving yourself space as often as you can to just sit and be is incredibly beneficial for your mindset. I’m on a 318-day meditation streak, and I always start my day in a better, more inspired, place after a short meditation session.

I recommend using the Calm app or the Headspace app. And they both have free trials.

(In these pictures, I’m wearing a new outfit, which I wore to teach a virtual class after taking these pictures. Here are the animal print leggings, here is the tank top, and here is the shiny sports bra.)

And those are my tips!

Closing thoughts on how to find inspiration …

We all have a lot going on in life. You’re trying to stay healthy. Work. Take care of your loved ones. And do all the many things you are responsible for on a daily basis.

While I know that “finding inspiration” may not be at the top of your list, I also want you to know that spending even a little bit of effort finding that light can and will help you along in all areas of your life. And that’s something worth acting on. 

Thank you for reading this one, my friends! I hope you stay well and stay inspired this week! xoxo

I’ll see you over on Instagram, until we meet back here.

Other posts you may like …

• Three health and wellness books that changed my life
• The best health, wellness and fitness podcasts
• Interesting facts about food and the body I learned from reading “The Body Book”
• The five best books I’ve read this year (fiction and nonfiction)

Questions of the day

How do you find inspiration?

What are some of your favorite podcasts?

How was your long weekend?

Have you read a good nonfiction book lately?