Sometimes inspiration comes easily and sometimes it takes work to find it! When I feel I've hit a creative wall I often take a few hours to go out and gather inspiration in a new environment. Here are ten of my favorite spots to get inspired...
1. A Flea Market. I love a good flea market break because I can grab a coffee and browse the aisles for treasures while clearing my mind. As an added bonus, I often find objects that I can use for my creative projects like home decor items or DIY ideas!
2. A Farmers' Market. I love visiting a local farmers market for inspiration. I pick up fresh food and flowers for my home and look for new ingredients that I haven't tried before. The best thing about a Farmers' Market is the abundance of color. It's a wake up call for my senses and I love that!
3. The Library. Your local Library is a fun and free spot for endless inspiration. Find your section and search for fresh ideas or try learning about something new!
4. A Local Historic District. Your local historic district is the best place to take a long walk and find a quiet place to write or sketch in a journal. The beautiful buildings will inspire you. It's good to get out of your environment to reset your mind.
5. A Picnic Alone. As much as I love picnics with my husband a creative picnic alone can be nice too. I bring a quilt, a journal and a pen. Something about the act of driving to a park and sitting there waiting for inspiration always invites it in. I never leave without new ideas! 6. A Coffee Shop. Anyone who has ever worked from home understands the value of a good coffee shop. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house, but you still want to work. Coffee shops are a nice change of pace. It's fun to get a treat and soak in a different environment for a bit.
7. A Nursery or Flower Shop. I love shopping for plants. Having little breaks like this can spark creativity or allow time to decompress in the middle of a stressful day. I always feel inspired and happy after buying a new plant for my home or a bouquet of fresh flowers. It's a simple exercise that can act as the perfect "me time".8. A Country Drive. When you really really need some time to think, consider a long drive in the country. You can listen to some music, sing really loud or find a spot to stop and journal. A country drive is a great way to take time for yourself and make space for creative thinking!
9. Shopping. Once in a while I can get really inspired by shopping. It doesn't seem to matter where I shop... I just need to be in a busy place with lots of color, texture and sound. Sometimes I'll go shopping for fabric or supplies or even for clothing. A shopping break can be a good place to get inspired.
10. A Bookstore. Once or twice a month I head over to our local Barnes and Noble and pick up a huge stack of magazines. Sometimes when I'm feeling blue I'll purchase a book on a new skill I want to learn. I always feel better when I'm done. Sometimes it's good to get inspired by someone else's hard work... magazines and books are a great way to do this!Well, what are you waiting for? Plan a time to go out and gather inspiration! XO. elsie
I love your photos and Ideas!
xoxo Luisella
Posted by: luisella | July 18, 2012 at 12:49 PM
I'm completely with you on the library and book shops! I'm also lucky enough to live by the sea, so going to the beach is a great place to get inspired, especially when it's quiet!
Posted by: Sam | July 18, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Great tips! Thanks a mil!
Brooke
Posted by: Brooke | July 18, 2012 at 12:54 PM
I love all these ideas! My favorite one is the farmer's market :) xx.
p.s. I have a $75 Shabby Apple giveaway going on if you'd like to join!
Posted by: simi | July 18, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Love this!! For me, being in nature is always really inspiring and I love historic places too. One of the most inspiring places for me is Cranbrook in Michigan - it's a campus but also has multiple huge gardens of all varieties and also a mansion that you can go inside. It's a truly magical place.
Posted by: Jessica | July 18, 2012 at 12:55 PM
The book store is definitely one of my fave places! I love the smell in there and its just so relaxing :)
Rory
http://www.wearaboutsblog.com/
Posted by: Rory | July 18, 2012 at 12:56 PM
This is such a brilliant post! I completely agree, sometimes a change of environment is just what you need to get inspired!
Posted by: Kate | July 18, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Libraries and bookstores are definitely my happy places, as well as nice grocery stores. A guilty pleasure is to grab a beer at the bar in Whole Foods, and then just take my sweet time wandering around the store :)
Bike rides are great to clear your head as well. If only it wasn't 90% humidity in Austin right now.
Great post!
Posted by: candace | July 18, 2012 at 01:06 PM
these top ten are so true. love getting out and about and letting nature give us some inspiration. love it.
xoxo
Posted by: ali thompson | July 18, 2012 at 01:06 PM
Thank you for the inspiration.
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/
Posted by: shannon | July 18, 2012 at 01:08 PM
I love this post.
I'm lucky enough to live in a historic district in a small town in wine country. I used to bike to work, and thought that was faster, I have found that walking to work gave me more time to clear my head, look at the beautiful houses, and fill my mind back up with fresh new inspiring thoughts. It's definitely something that I will miss about this place when I leave!
--Erin
Posted by: Erin | July 18, 2012 at 01:09 PM
This is such a great post! I'm always trying to find inspiration for my blog. Sometimes writers block is a terrible thing. Yet again, your blog does not disappoint!
Posted by: Heather | July 18, 2012 at 01:20 PM
The library always makes me feel more motivated! I love flea markets and farmers' markets :)
www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
xo
Posted by: Gina | July 18, 2012 at 01:36 PM
I love going to a bookstore to look at magazines and drink a coffee! It is definately one of my happy places!
Posted by: laura b | July 18, 2012 at 01:37 PM
This is such a great reminder! Thank you.
Posted by: Kate @ Songs Kate Sang | July 18, 2012 at 01:39 PM
Love this post! All are really great suggestions/reminders of places that inspire, thanks!
Posted by: Marie | July 18, 2012 at 01:39 PM
I adore this list! I'll be keeping it in mind :) Thanks for sharing!
http://thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com
Posted by: Laura @ The Joyful Fox | July 18, 2012 at 01:41 PM
love this post! i find the library is my inspiration for traveling. i tend to park myself in the travel guide aisle and delve into all the lovely travel books.
Posted by: Julia | July 18, 2012 at 01:46 PM
Great inspiration ideas! I particularly love visiting local historic districts/ downtowns. They always feel like a throwback to a more slow-paced time, where one actually stopped to just ponder, take in and enjoy life.
~mel
http://o-h-my.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Melissa | July 18, 2012 at 01:50 PM
Beautiful images! LOVE!!
Cheers
~ Jillian
www.hersplitends.com
*Check out the fab freebie today at Her Split Ends!!
http://hersplitends.com/2012/07/18/giveaway-good-belly/
Posted by: Jillian {Her Split Ends} | July 18, 2012 at 01:50 PM