Written by CJ McGillivray Photo by Lee Campbell How do you unlock creativity in your everyday life? This question is quite personal as it can look and feel different for each individual. Musicians, artists, designers and creative thinkers can gain inspiration from a broad range of material. Boredom for one person can mean excitement and divine inspiration for another. Perhaps you love watching old movies and being fascinated by the craft. Maybe you love to go on walks and get some fresh air to get your creativity flowing. One thing that is for sure, creativity comes and goes for everyone. That said, there are plenty of steps that you can to increase your inspiration. Many scientific studies encourage routine practice and thoughtfulness in the search for creativity. One thing to consider is your daily routine. Of course, not everyone can devote all their hours to creativity. Your routine may look completely different than your artistic colleagues. There is nothing wrong with that and any feelings of guilt or shame around your creative practice will not serve you. Having a sense of community also makes a world of difference. How often do you engage with other musicians, artists, inventors or creative thinkers? How often do you connect with creative minds outside of your favoured industry? Psychologist Dr. Robert Epstein recommends four guiding principles for anyone struggling with inspiration. In a recent publication of Creativity Research Journal, he advocates for recording new ideas on a regular basis. He also discusses seeking out diverse challenges to stimulate your thoughtfulness. Then we have community building and expanding on your current knowledge. The idea may not be new for some, but researching or learning about topics that are outside of your field can do wonders. If you are a classical composer, try reading a book on molecular biology and see what happens. If you are studying poetry, why not add some philosophy or sociology readings to your inventory? The results could surprise you and may even kickstart your inspiration. In his final point, Dr. Epstein advocates for the power of community and diverse voices. He recommends crafting a life filled with interesting people, to stimulate creative thinking in new and unexpected ways. Looking for inspiration but you are not sure where to start? Try checking out local Vancouver arts and science organization Curiosity Collider. The company 'promotes interdisciplinary collaborations that capture natural human curiosity.' Their events and collaborations explore the convergence of culture, arts, science and human nature. You can also keep an eye out for upcoming online workshops, webinars and learning opportunities with Tom Lee Music. Our goal is to help you along your musical journey by providing inspiring and informative content. You can read all about our online resources, creative content and streamlined services here. Photo by Soundtrap Above all, we love our music community and we adore seeing you inspired and creative. How is your artistic practice going these days? Do you have any additional tips or recommendations for your fellow creatives who may be struggling with inspiration? Connect with us on social media or send us an email at info@tomleemusic.ca. We would love to hear from you and follow along on your musical journey.