How to Find Blog Post Inspiration

A guest post by Kate Irwin of www.improvedconfidence.com

Have you ever had a day when ideas for blog posts swam around in your head like tadpoles in spring, but as soon as you sat down to write, those tadpoles turned into frogs and hopped away?

Occasionally, I’ll sit at my laptop–usually when I have a deadline!–and have no idea what to write, what topic to cover, or where to begin. My brain seems devoid of motivation, inspiration, or ideas and is filled with closed doors and frustrations.

I’m sure I’m not alone in this, so when the words stop flowing and all creativity has vanished, try one of these tips:

Don’t push it. The more I stare at the blinking cursor and blank screen, the more frustrated and uninspired I feel. So just let go, trust that inspiration will come, and do something else. I go into my teeny-tiny garden, water my vegetables and herbs, and stare at the sky while breathing deeply. Anything that takes your mind off the task at hand will help, such as making a cup of tea, calling a friend, walking around the block, blasting your favorite song and boogieing around the room, or meditating for 15 minutes. I find it best to do something that doesn’t require too much concentration, as tension and irritation seem to block ideas from flowing. Just relax and switch off, and ideas will soon tumble into your mind with abundance.

Think about what you’re afraid of. Often when our channels of inspiration are blocked, it’s because we’re afraid. If I don’t get my own post or a guest post written in time, I’m worried I may let down the blog owner or myself or lose out on an opportunity. Perhaps you’re worried that people won’t like your posts or that the posts won’t be read. The possibilities are endless on this one, but look a little deeper. When your fears have been identified, you’ll be able to address and overcome them and move on.

Do something you’ve never done before. Watch a foreign film, pick up a book or magazine which you normally wouldn’t give a second glance, or try something new for lunch. Doing different things opens your mind to the possibilities of many more new things, and inspiration flows.

Experience something great. Take in a work of art by one of the masters, a piece of music by Beethoven, or a classic poem, and remember what humans have achieved and are capable of. Your brain is an amazing thing and knows that if Van Gogh can create paintings like that after half a bottle of absinthe (or because of it?) you are more than capable of writing a 1000 word blog post. I don’t recommend the absinthe!

Read over your last 5-8 posts. Often, when you made a decision on which way to take these posts, they could have just as easily veered down a different path. Explore this path now.

Seek out inspirational materials. Create a collection of motivational quotes or find a motivational video to watch on YouTube. As your brain feels motivated, it will relax and allow inspiration to enter.

People watch. One of my favorite past-times is sitting outside a coffee shop by a busy street and just observing people. I never cease to be astounded by the variety of people and their interactions. Listen to snippets of conversations, hear how a mother is telling off her child, check out the dude with the pink hair, and feel your heart melt at the elderly couple holding hands. London is great for this, as there is so much diversity, but even the Stepford Wives could provide inspiration. People are simply fascinating, so take a notebook! As a side note, check your behavior when you do this–it’s easy to start judging people.

Think through the previous day from beginning to end. Who did you talk to? What did you see? What made you smile, get angry, or feel disappointed? Anything that evoked an emotion can usually provide inspiration for a post.

And finally, write about your writer’s block!

The next time inspiration deserts you, don’t worry–it’s only popped out for a bit and will be back soon. Just remember to leave the door open for it!

Your turn: Do you ever have ‘blank’ days? What inspires you?

Bio. Kate is passionate about helping others attain happiness through improving confidence and self-esteem. Visit her blog for an instant happiness boost! You can also download a free workbook to improve your confidence instantly.

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