I saw a quote the other day that said, “Inspiration comes during work, not before it.”
Whether it’s running, writing, a new exercise practice, wanting to do (or be) something different … I think all of us experience an element of this at times. When I teach writing, I tell students that you cannot wait for the muse to arrive to get started. I’m guilty of this myself when it comes to my personal writing. (Not for my paid writing — that muse has bills to pay!)
For a while, I’ve had an idea in my head for a braided essay/writing project. I even went so far as to outline different components of that project in my phone notes. But, the notes just sat there since late last year, getting further and further down the list of notes in date order.
The other day, I opened up those notes and started thinking seriously about the writing project again. I even jotted down a few new themes and topics. … At nearly two miles into my run this morning, the beginning of the essay/story popped into my head like a lightening bolt of clarity. I paused my watch, took out my phone, opened a blank note and let the words tumble out of my mind. My fingers couldn’t type fast enough! And on the remainder of my run home, I thought to myself, I may really have something here.
My point is this … I wouldn’t have had that inspiration today if I had not opened the original project notes and decided to write again.
In other words, start. Whatever you want for yourself, START. And the inspiration will find you.