Finding Inspiration Again
I believe inspiration creates motivation. Sometimes we just need to find a new source of inspiration to shift our mindset or rework the way we approach a project/challenge/situation.
Finding small windows of time during our week that we can commit to a source of joy is an important part of sustaining a healthy mind. What “joy” that may be, is personal to you.
Music is proven to impact our mood (whether positively or negatively). Going outside, walking, sunlight exposure; all create serotonin. Maybe it’s reading, knitting, cooking.
I find, whenever I’ve slipped into a period of heavy focus and I’m living in fight or flight mode, these pockets of joy are almost immediately diminished. Not intentionally of course. But on reflection, having no focus on things that excite me outside of my work, has a detrimental effect on my mood, my energy levels and in turn my performance at work and personal relationships.
I'm sure the same can be said for many Founders, or anyone going through a period of intensity where there's no work/life balance.
In last week's post, I mentioned the luxury of time. It's something we have less of during our working years but when we do have it, it's so easy to let it slip by scrolling on social media or partly engaged in multiple things at once.
Learning to say no.
Now, this does not come easily to me. It's taken a long time to admit to myself that it's the only way to create time in my schedule and stay sane.
Side note... when I spotted this video from Trevor Noah, it completely described the inner workings of my brain. For those with ADHD, this advice is particularly pertinent, as the overcommitment to others and time blindness create very difficult cycles to break.
Over time however, it does become easier. Leaving gaps of time in your own calendar is an absolute necessary for deep work, movement, enjoyment and rest.
Learning to say no, especially to friends and social plans, can feel uncomfortable at first. Here's a few tips on where to begin that I always find helpful.
- Start with an internal check
- Do I actually have the capacity for this?
- Will this drain me or support me? (social plans with friends may actually boost your energy so think carefully about who, where and what the plans are)
- Am I saying yes out of obligation rather than desire?
- Prepare a few responses that work in your tone of voice
- “I’d really love to, but I'm at full capacity this week. Does next week work for you?” Ideally share a few dates there and then that align with your diary
- “I can’t it on this occasion, but please let me know about next time!”
- “Right now I’m being strict with my time, as I'm feeling a little run down / need to focus on 'xx' / have a deadline coming up [or whatever it may be]. I hope you understand.”
- “This week doesn't work well for me but I hope you have a great time”
When time is on your side.
Last weekend, I was in Verona, after completing a pretty intense fitness competition (yes, I did succumb to the Hyrox propaganda).
Post fitness high, unsurprisingly came the energy crash.
I had a 15 min sofa snooze which for me is the sign of ultimate relaxation. I don’t nap often and I'm envious of those who can take a timed nap in the middle of the day and wake up feeling refreshed.
When I woke up, I carried on reading “Selfish Girls” on my kindle (by an old colleague Abigail Bergstrom and Founder of Bergstrom Studio.
My hack to reading more this year has definitely been having a non-fiction book and a fiction book on the go at one time and being honest, the kindle has really changed my life. So easy to throw into any bag without adding extra weight to the tote bag of crap we all seemingly own and drag around all day.
I'm currently curating my list of 2025 reads, music, podcasts and any other helpful sources of inspo to share at the end of the year.
After about 20 minutes I picked up my phone and stumbled upon a video that grabbed my attention. I immediately went over to Spotify and added to my new playlist ahead of 2026.
I started the habit of yearly playlists before the days of Spotify wrapped as a way to collate all of the music I discovered that year, no matter what year, era, time said music was from. It ends up being a very eclectic mix of all genres, bpm's, vibes. I love going back and listening to the 2019 version and remembering exactly where I was in my life at the time.
The song referenced from my weekend discovery is FKA Twigs - Hard. The choreography in this particular video is stunning. I love watching movement and it got me feeling nostalgic.
I realised that it’s been years since I’ve sat through multiple music videos back to back. In the early 2000’s, we’d watch music channels for hours, learning every word, every move. Inspired by the musicians we once wanted to become.
Working alongside my Bolder Studios Co-Founders has definitely unlocked a part of my creative mind that’s been slowly shut down whilst working in survival mode, especially during the early days of Season25.
I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who love music so I’m consistently exposed to new songs and artists by association, but I’d somewhat lost interest in sourcing new inspiration for myself recent years.
Something I’m trying to do to change this is actively using the time I've carved out by reducing my external commitments to follow these action points. Note them down or save this post to refer back to them.
1. Reintroduce joy on purpose
Schedule small things that lift you: music, movement, cooking, reading, wandering. Treat them as non-negotiable.
2. Change of scenery
Go somewhere new or unfamiliar; a gallery, a café, a park, a neighbourhood you’ve never walked through. Novelty resets the brain.
3. Consume content that expands you
Podcasts, short films, essays, poetry, documentaries… not to copy, but to spark perspective.
4. Revisit old passions
Look at what used to excite you years ago. There’s often a trail hidden there that will reignite you. (I'm finding this through writing these posts)
5. Declutter your digital and physical space
A tidy environment lowers cognitive load and frees mental space for creativity.
6. Try something mildly uncomfortable
A workshop, a new fitness class, a skill you’re bad at. Discomfort often births ideas and helps us not to fear failure.
7. Carve out “idea time”
Ten minutes a day to capture thoughts, no pressure. Let quantity lead to quality.
8. Start documenting more
Use your notes app to write down random thoughts and to remember conversations that energised you. Take pictures. Be curious. Use these notes, pictures, saved albums to spark new ideas.
Slowly but surely, when motivation returns, it shows up across all parts of your life.
Once you clear a bit of head space, follow the things that lift you, and give yourself room to breathe, the ideas start to trickle in again.
You think more clearly. You solve problems faster. You spot opportunities you were too overwhelmed to see before.
Making space for yourself isn’t just good for your wellbeing - it’s one of the smartest things you can do for your business.
Till next time!
