10 Ways to Stay Inspired for the Long Haul | By Becky Murdoch

1. Find Your People
Community keeps momentum alive when your energy dips. Okay, this one’s obvious since we’re all about finding your people here at Epiphany Space, but there’s a reason for that: it works. I personally get so much more done at our weekly coworking sessions than at any other time of the week. Working alongside other creatives, even online, helps so much!

2. Celebrate Small Wins
Finishing a draft, organizing your desk, sending a pitch - they all count. It’s easy to celebrate the big wins, but what do we do for the small, everyday victories? Instead of rewarding yourself with food or drink, think outside the box. Text your creative friends a fun GIF, repeat a mantra that lifts your spirits, or have a quick dance party (the November Spark Playlist is perfect for that!). Or go old-school and make a sticker chart, simple gold stars, or maybe even a full-on sticker collage. Is that a thing? It should be.

3. Name Your Why
Revisit the reason you create when motivation runs low. This can tie into the “mantra” idea from the last point; what if you printed your creative why and kept it where you can see it? Why do you create? Is it because you can’t not create? Because you can’t bear the idea of a traditional 9-to-5? Or because your art keeps you sane after a day in the office? Whatever your reason, name it. Remind yourself often.

4. Build Rituals Around Your Work

Light a candle, make a playlist, open the same notebook, anchor your creative time. What helps you feel creative? I have specific notebooks for specific projects.  For instance, for my Liner Notes project, everything lives in a Donnie Wahlberg notebook (I swear, I don’t buy these things, but I love that people give me so many Donnie-themed items). I also keep a candle on my desk that I try to light when I’m writing my blog. This one’s aspirational for me. I know these small rituals help me focus, but I often forget to use them daily. Habit-building is still a work in progress!

5. Keep a "Done List"
Seeing what you’ve accomplished helps fight the illusion of stagnation. I call this my ta-da list. (I totally stole that phrase from someone, but I can’t remember who.) Sometimes I end the day thinking I’ve done nothing, but when I make a ta-da list, I see how much I’ve actually accomplished. It also helps me notice where my time’s going, like realizing I’ve started three unnecessary emails while writing this paragraph.

6. Refill Your Creative Well
Read, listen, wander, and let inspiration sneak up on you. Take yourself on artist dates and go have fun! What fills your creative well? I’ve written blog posts inspired by movies I’ve seen and dance classes I’ve taken. Anything we love can spark ideas. My mom’s creativity lives in textiles, and much of my childhood was spent walking through fabric stores (harder to find these days!).  Wandering around fabric stores or even the mall fills my creative well; the bright colors and creative displays always get my ideas flowing.

7. Mark Your Milestones
Anniversaries, project launches, and creative streaks deserve to be honored. This week, Melissa and I were reflecting on all the big things Epiphany Space has done this year. At first, it was hard to think of many, but looking back at past events and social media posts reminded us how much we’ve done, even in a tough year. What anniversaries are coming up for you? What deserves a little celebration?

8. Turn Down the Noise
Too much input can drown your output; curate what you take in. I usually like working with a lot of background noise, but every so often I just need quiet. There’s so much going on around us all the time. You don’t need to watch one more reel, listen to one more podcast, or talk to one more friend. Maybe you just need a few minutes of silence to let your brain process.

9. Find Creative Peers Who Cheer, Not Compete
A healthy community fuels persistence. Who are the people who cheer you on, and who are the ones who don’t? Spend more time with your encouragers. In one of Brené Brown’s books, she mentions carrying a tiny piece of paper with five names, the people whose opinions actually matter to her. If your name’s not on that list, your opinion doesn’t count. Who’s on your list? Find those people and let them fuel your creativity.

10. Tend to Your Body
Movement, hydration, and sleep all support creative stamina. This tip pops up everywhere, for good reason. It’s important! I feel it more as I get older. It’s like the airplane rule: put your own oxygen mask on first. It’s hard to be creative when you’re tired and cranky. Get up and move. Set a timer for a walk around the block. Keep a pitcher of water on your desk. Take a nap if you need to. It all matters.