When Inspiration Doesn’t Strike…And Then It Finally Does
image via Robert S. Donovan
Whenever I have an idea for a post but not the time to sit down and write it, I just jot down a note to jog my memory: “Savoring the small stuff,” “Cauliflower + capers!” or “When inspiration doesn’t strike.” This last one has sat in my drafts folder since January, a strange comfort to me: whenever inspiration didn’t strike, I could just write something about it! How’s that for turning lemons into lemonade?
Only, every time I actually didn’t feel inspired, I would look at that title blankly. What exactly did I think I would write about inspiration not striking? What is there to say, exactly? And then I would shrug and tell some story about potatoes instead. You can’t push a camel through a needle’s eye, after all, and you certainly can’t say your piece about barren creativity when you’re not, well, inspired.
As I write this, I am sitting on an airplane. I had been briefly delayed in Baltimore, which afforded me the chance to indulge a little daydream about spotting my fictional crush, Cedric Daniels, and then run off down the terminal toward the Hudson News to buy a trashy magazine. I fully intended to be instructed on the colors I “need” to buy this spring, candids of celebrities who are “just like us,” and sail away on pages of chiffon gowns and sprightly cotton day dresses. Against my initial inclination toward trash, I found myself picking up a copy of one of the hippy-dippie holistic magazines I love. It was the best decision I had made all day.
I love magazines. In fact, if there’s one thing I get hung up on about reading a blog — and I love blogs — it’s that it’s not, at the end of the day, a magazine. As visually stimulating as they can be, they can never quite approximate the look of a beautifully art directed glossy. This is just a temporary limitation of the technology, of course, but there is still the needling trouble that I do not, as of yet, have a way to read a blog in the bathtub.
And isn’t that what traveling is supposed to do, anyway: introduce us to new discoveries and reacquaint us with past delights? Parting these colorful magazine pages was like finding a wellspring after days in the desert. Suddenly there was so much I was curious about: a bag designer on Etsy, a beautiful lamp, and a springtime ragout that had me forsaking all others for leeks, asparagus and radishes. My desire to make new dishes, sauté a vegetable I always eat raw, and maybe, just maybe, improve the way I live my life felt, after a period of hibernation, like sending up fresh green shoots.
Who wouldn’t prefer to live in what I call the “idea machine” state? Every little thing — every sight, every movie, every page in a book — sends off a crackle to a new idea. Inspiration begets inspiration. But when that idea machine gets a loose cog and needs to go on hiatus, I never tire of the eventual excitement when it finally roars back to life.
Ann: I love magazines for that very reason. I’m addicted to them! I dangle them in front of myself like a carrot to get my butt to the gym. What are your faves?1 year ago
Laureen: I was standing in line for coffee this afternoon and was looking longingly – aka, probably creepily – at this girl sitting down with her lunch reading a magazine with another two magazines tucked into her tote. It just looked so luxurious and I was so jealous.1 year ago
Ann, Oh, lordy, the list is long. I love: Martha Stewart, O, Self, Glamour, Lucky, The New Yorker, Body + Soul, Yoga Journal, Country Living, and Better Homes and Gardens. Did I miss anything?
Laureen, Yes, why is it that they feel so luxurious? And luxury for $3-4 a pop — I can think of worse things!1 year ago
Danielle: I’m so glad you’re back! As much as I adore your 101 favorite things, I was depressed everytime I pulled the blog and saw that heading…:) Welcome back!1 year ago
Thanks, Danielle. Sometimes a girl’s just gotta recharge her batteries and read a bunch of magazines.
1 year ago
Karen: So glad that you’ve found your “idea machine” state again! I’ve found myself inspired a lot as well — and a bit down because I never did anything about the ideas floating around in my head. So, I made a list and a plan and now feel so much better about accomplishing a few things!1 year ago
Cadi: Glad your batteries are recharged. I look to your blog daily for inspiration and a smile, and missed the new posts this week.
And there is little more that I enjoy than flipping through the pages of one of my favorite magazines, the silky pages sliding through my fingers as I turn the page. Sometimes a book is such a commitment…1 year ago
BethP: Hey! Are you saying you weren’t actually inspired by my potatoes?
I usually relegate my magazine reading to airplanes, but, feeling really grouchy and worn out on Tuesday evening, I picked up takeout and two magazines on the way home. I was actually quite amazed by how much Real Simple and Body + Soul and a couple glasses of red wine totally cheered me up. I agree, it does feel so luxurious!1 year ago
lindsey clare: i’m with Bethp: i usually only buy mags when i fly, but on the odd occasion that i do find myself with one at home (even just from the library!), they rarely fail to cheer me up and spark some ideas.
glad you’re feeling inspired again, Sarah!1 year ago
Sarah F: It’s really funny you posted this today- I’ve been saving a bunch of magazines to go through for the past several weeks, and today I pulled them out and went through a few. It was fantastic! I pulled out recipes and articles I wanted to keep and just basically enjoyed myself. Today was The Herbal Quarterly and the Herb Companion, and I’ve got several more for the weekend- a bunch of National Geographics, Smithsonians, and Yoga Journals! I love going through and reading all the great ideas!1 year ago
Sasa: Welcome back! Unfortunately all the magazines here are in German so not exactly relaxing reading (darting back and forth from a dictionary anyone?) but it is a rare treat if I am in the UK or my mum sends me one. Happy Friday!1 year ago
WannaBePinkTeri: My husband says I need a 12-Step program to get over my addiction to magazines. I adore them! I subscribe to all but one that Sarah listed. I love the beginning of the month when I get a fresh new stack of magazines in the mail. I get almost giddy!!1 year ago
Katie @ cakes, tea and dreams: I love magazines too – they do feel so luxurious. And I love the “roar” of excitement when the ideas come back.
I’ve been in the uninspired state lately, but I am hoping my words + ideas will come back soon.1 year ago
Sarah_in_DC: I think it’s time for a “Pink of Perfection” magazine, Sarah!
I’ll come up to NYC and work on it with you. Tee-hee.1 year ago
Kiki: Wow! Reading blogs in the bathtub is the most wonderful idea! Where can I get a waterproof laptop?1 year ago
Annie: This is one of my favorite posts you’ve ever done! It’s so true isn’t it? There is no better feeling than breaking out of a creativity rut!
I wish this website was a magazine…I love nothing more than the glossies.1 year ago
Brooke: I read once that for those on a budget, one of the first places you should cut back on magazine subscriptions. But-but-but! Those simple pleasures cost $4 and bring so much delight and possibility… A worthy investment, I say.1 year ago
Jackie: I’m another one who has to point at fate! ‘Couldn’t believe I was reading this from you today (if you haven’t noticed by my frequent comments around here lately, you’re my favorite “new-to-me” blogger) because I had the exact same thought as I was home for lunch and glanced at my little stack of “to-read” magazines. i’m addicted to subscribing — so much cheaper than buying per issue, plus it’s such a fun surprise to have one tumble out of your mailbox – surprise!
I wrote a little bit about this on my blog and mentioned which mags I subscribed to at that time. Looking back at that old post, I’m surprised that I said I preferred Bon Appetit over Gourmet. I was mourning the loss of Gourmetjust today…but happy that there’s inspiration to be had elsewhere!
Thanks for another great post.1 year ago
citygirl: The Wire may be the best show ever made.1 year ago
Heck yeah, citygirl. About to start Season 5, but I just don’t want it to be over!1 year ago