I blog because I love the medium. I like that I have carved out my own space on the inter-webs where I can share my thoughts, interact with people I usually wouldn’t have had the opportunity to interact with and talk about fashion, beauty and discuss topics that are on my mind. I can be creative, I have no boundaries and it’s mine. As much as I enjoy blogging, writing and shooting looks, it doesn’t mean that curating content is easy. Consistently producing quality content when you’re working 50 hour weeks, trying to workout to keep fit, eat healthy, read, spend time with your friends and family, build yourself spiritually and just survive isn’t easy. Finding inspiration is one of things I struggle with the most lately. If I have nothing worthwhile to say I’d rather not post anything at all. Lately I’ve found myself going out my way to find inspiration. Here are a few tips that have helped me out.
- Visit other blogs & websites | I am a serial surfer. I don’t only visit blogs and websites in my niche. I visit interior decor sites, travel blogs, career and entrepreneurship sites. My browser constantly has multiple website tabs open at once. Reading a post or article can trigger an idea or you could expand on and give your opinion on a topic which was covered in a post you read.
- Magazines | I usually read international mags like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, but because I’m familiar with the style and layout of these mags I feel like I’m home in their pages. So I stretch myself and page through Paper, Interview, L’Officiel, Numéro and Dazed & Confused in the book store. If something catches my attention I’m taking it home to further expand on my ideas.
- Stop thinking about what you need inspiration for | When I’m looking for new content for my blog and social media sometimes ideas sprout when I stop thinking so hard about it. It’s hard to switch off when you’ve planned to write at a certain time yet can’t come up with any ideas, but sometimes distancing yourself from what you are expected to do and immersing yourself into something totally unrelated can be the catalyst you need to lead you to your next great blog post. Which leads me to my next point.
- Read a book. Listen to music. Go to an art gallery. Watch or listen to a Ted Talk. Listen to a Podcast. Anything unrelated to what you are trying to achieve.
- Sit down & decide to write | After I’ve exhausted all options I grab my laptop or sometimes I like to go old school with a pen and paper and just start writing. Usually, my first ideas are shit, but those ideas often morph into substantial posts after a lot of editing. I read somewhere that writing is like a muscle. The more you use it the stronger and better you become.
Beautiful outfit KB.
Writing things down in the morning has helped me so much. Everything from work needed to be done to getting my car washed during lunch, so I know what’s ahead for the day.
What I have also started doing is gym during the day instead of evenings. I think it just clears my mind and enables me to put things into perspective, especially people like us with 40 hour weeks.
Author
Thanks Nons!
Great tips! I think also writing things downs ensures you leave “brain power” available to allow you to do other more fun and creative things, instead of trying to worry and plan the mundane things which you have to do.
so inspiring….had to read it again…..do you mind blogging about your daily or weekly diet. I think you have an amazing healthy body……i can easily read up fitness and health junkie blogs, but i want to hear it from someone blogging about something totally different…
Author
Thanks Lu!
I had no idea someone would be interested in my diet. I did blog about my fitness but that was a while ago. I’ll definitely post something about my diet (Although it’s far from perfect).
I’m definitely gonna try and write things down more often. Whenever I’ve done, my day always goes according to plan. I don’t know why I stopped.
Author
It makes a world of difference Thabani! It’s almost like writing them down is a commitment to yourself. Let me know how it works out for you!
Love this post! Thank you so much. Going outside to play is one of my favourite things to do. Yes, to actually PLAY. Leave the phone behind, finding a fun activity that costs nothing and actually having fun. Stop thinking about the serious stuff and the “I must get this done”.
Author
Thank you for taking the time out to read it Phumeza!
What activities do you partake in?? I need some ideas to play. 🙂
If you have cousins or friends with little ones, offer to take them for a few hours – they have the best perspective on life ever! And they have such a pure love for life 😃. Visiting neighbourhood park: “muzwinki” (sp) experience 😃 – safe places aplenty that you can check out. Other places that require a bit of cash, BOUNCE! I went once last year, YOH, hectic but amazing fun. Jumping castles – it’s not only for kids 🙌🏽 yes, you know you’ve been tempted to also get in on the fun. And also, not so much on the “play” side but going to a home and spending time with kids who need and deserve all the love in the world. It gets you emotionally but you realise that there are so many more important things in life to be worrying about and there are numerous experiences that you can share with others – like your time and your heart.
Author
Ah yes! I haven’t visited Bounce yet. I definitely need to plan to go soon. Spending time with little kids always changes your perspective and forces you to slow down.
I love all your ideas!! Thanks for the suggestions.
Love this post! I find too much inspiration sometimes lol from the IG feeds of so many stylish women and men.
I love reading other blogs with different perspectives because it broadens one’s mind and helps you to understand and appreciate others.
Again, great post…loving your blog!
Author
Thanks Tracey!
That’s true! I spent a lot of time online and on Instagram especially checking out people’s profiles, then check who they’re following, then checking who that follower is following then… It’s a slippery slope!
I have been following your blog for some time now and I can’t fully express to you how in love I am with it. There is aura about it that so inspiring. I am a beauty blogger and whenever I get into that creative rut, I always look to travel and interior design blog for rejuvenation. Odd but it helps…I guess it sparks some kind of excitement regarding the beauty of style and exploration.
Enjoyed this post and many others I’ve frequented!
Author
Hi Vuyelwa!
Thank you so much! Your kind words are so encouraging.
I absolutely believe the arts are intertwined, so it’s easy to find beauty inspiration from sculptures, style inspiration from painting, music and videos are also a great source of inspiration. Somehow, they’re all linked.