Start Here.
It begins with a spark.
The moment when inspiration strikes. Like a lightning bolt in your consciousness. The spark is the first glimmer of inspiration, the breath before creation.
Maybe you heard a piece of music or saw a painting, and then an idea popped into your mind.
An epiphany.
Maybe you want to start a blog, writing about what you’ve learned on your travels; maybe you feel inspired to write a song, capturing how it felt when you were walking in the city last night, the way the neon lights and fog blanketed the effervescent city; maybe a book of poems - melancholic contemplations about love and life.
The beginning is inspiration coming through in its purest form. At the start, you feel it in your gut—in feelings, in colors, and in sounds; this is the soul of your creative project.
“Art is a pure expression of the soul, an energy compelling to be seen and experienced in the world of matter”
Then the mind kicks in. "What if they don't like it?" Thoughts of the process's difficulty come up; questions about finances, intimidation around learning new software -
So you don’t even start, and the inspiration sits and gathers dust, yet still takes up space in your subconscious mind - because the spark still calls.
When inspiration flows in, like a spark in its purest form, start now.
Make the first mark.
Capture the pictures and feelings that are coming through. Protect the purity of this moment by eternalizing the now. It could be a dot on the paper, a scribble, a sentence, a set of notes on the keyboard. Get it down in its purest form. We'll worry about the rest later.
By putting down the first mark, you’ve created a protective circle around the spark of inspiration.
Maybe more will flow, maybe you'll step back.
Creation is about participating in the conversation with the spark. It’s the dance of knowing what it needs; when to act and feed the fire, and when to let it sit and breathe.
Focus on the feeling.
Don’t think too hard. That’s for later. The feeling is the soul of your project, communicating how it wants to be seen and experienced. By focusing on the feeling you’re opening a dialogue with Inspiration.
Maybe it feels like a call to play. To take up a dance class - explore how it feels to move your body in a way you never have before but have always been curious about.
Maybe it feels like a need to share a specific message with the world.
Maybe it feels like a compulsion to spread joy and laughter.
Start with yourself.
You are your most important project. You are the spark that yearns to be ignited. Prioritize time to connect with yourself to allow the purest, most authentic form of inspiration to flow through.
Here are some ways to tap into your inner well of creativity and nurture that spark.
Cultivate a sacred space: Whether that’s time to connect with yourself on a walk or in your home; create an environment where you can be open and attuned to your inner voice.
Fuel the spark: Collect images, take a walk in the forest, collect references, and read books that inspire you. Absorb the wealth of inspiration that both nature and the human experience has to offer.
Know that you have the tools: Draw from your life experiences, unique interests, and acquired skills. Trust that you already possess everything you need to embark on your creative journey.
When you’re ready - when the foundation of you has been laid out, let a select others in. Embrace collaboration, listen to their insights, and use your discernment when considering which ideas align with your vision.
But right now, all you need to do is
Start here.
