Che cos’è l’ispirazione?

What is inspiration?

Have you ever needed an idea and… nothing, just a complete blank? Recently, when I asked someone “what is inspiration?”, they replied:

“It’s that thing that never shows up when it’s supposed to.”

And it’s true—how many hours do we spend staring at a screen (or at a blank wall) waiting for an idea to appear? Not necessarily the perfect idea, but at least the right one to help move the project forward, especially when a deadline is looming over you.

Back to the original question: what is inspiration?

Looking through various dictionaries, I found a few interesting definitions:

  1. A fervent spark of genius or creative impulse.
  2. An idea or sudden impulse, an intuition that arises almost instinctively from within.
  3. The intervention of a divine spirit, guiding human beings to create or express themselves through their work.
  4. A state of enthusiasm that allows the artist to bring their creation to life.

So, it seems to be something sudden, almost magical, that draws us into the creative process. But for those who work in creative fields, the reality is often different: you can’t just summon inspiration on command. How many times do we look for an idea and find nothing, only for it to appear out of the blue, often while we’re doing something completely unrelated?

Where does inspiration come from?

I believe inspiration is a deeply personal experience. Some find it in nature, others in a book, some in contemplating a work of art, and others while travelling or observing the world around them. It’s an experience that depends on each person’s sensitivity and background.

Without invoking the ancients and the original meaning of the word inspiration — that is, a “divine breath” — we can more simply talk about creativity.

Personally, although I consider myself a creative person, I don’t see myself as an artist in the strict sense. Often in my work, I can’t wait for inspiration to arrive: I have collections to design, deadlines to meet, and commitments to honour.

That’s why, over the years, I’ve learned not to see inspiration as a bolt from the blue, but as something to nurture methodically.

How to cultivate creativity day by day

In my opinion, creativity can be trained. How? Here are some practical strategies:

  • Try new things and look around with curiosity;
  • Interact with different people, gather input, and allow yourself to be influenced;
  • Give yourself time to think: give your mind space to process experiences and develop a personal perspective that can turn into creative ideas;
  • Brainstorm even the most unlikely ideas: sometimes a spark comes exactly from there;
  • Take notes or make quick sketches to capture fleeting ideas and develop them later.

I myself have the habit of writing down every insight in a notebook. Ideas don’t always come when you need them, but a good idea saved can become invaluable during a creative block.

When ideas don’t come

And what if, despite everything, your mind feels blocked?It’s normal: stress and tiredness can block all creative channels. But there are some habits you can adopt to ease the tension and free your mind:

  • Going for a walk: stepping outside and taking a stroll helps your thoughts wander;
  • Listening to music or reading something completely unrelated to work;
  • Playing games: board games or video games can also stimulate creative thinking;
  • Allowing yourself free time for your passions;
  • Meditating, practising yoga, or relaxation techniques;
  • Getting enough sleep: a good night’s rest is essential for mental and physical health;
  • Taking breaks from screens and electronic devices: this helps relax your mind and regain focus.

In conclusion, the first step is to take care of both body and mind by allowing yourself moments of rest and relaxation, and by nurturing your interests and relationships.

Sometimes, inspiration needs our mind to be ready; perhaps the idea that seems not to come is actually maturing inside us, waiting for a little space to welcome it.

 

"A Year of Inspiration" banner

Do you need ideas to create a children’s collection?

“A Year of Inspiration” was created just for you, as an expanded version of my “inspiration notebook”. Inside, you’ll find 12 themes. I imagined each theme as an experience told by a child in an year-long imaginary diary. Each theme is packed with images, inspiration, colours, prompts, and ideas. In addition, the kit includes 12 moodboards and 6 ready-to-use vector patterns. Read more about "A Year of Inspiration".

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