Staying inspired can be an art within itself. While inspiration is spontaneous, there are ways to help yourself along to finding that “eureka!” moment or flow state.

We all have different reasons for seeking out inspiration— maybe you’re the creative type looking for a jumping off point for your new project, or maybe you’re embarking on some serious self development and need some momentum— or perhaps you’re simply seeking out more joy in your everyday.

Whatever your reason and however unique it may be to you, here are a few universal ways you can ignite that inspiration spark…

1 Seek out new places

One of the simplest/easiest ways to get your mind thinking of new things is to put yourself in new places. When you’re in a completely new environment, you rely less on habit and routine and more on instinct and your senses; they actually become heightened. Ever notice how the memories of trips you’ve taken are so vivid? Or how when you decide to take a different fork in the road, you become extra aware of your surroundings? Accessing new places require more attention than we need to give to the expected and everyday. So our minds naturally quiet down, taking a backseat to what we see, hear, smell, etc. This does two things: it clears our minds from our normal narrative, and it makes way for new thoughts, ideas and perspectives.

2 Stay curious

Instead of setting goals for yourself, try asking the question, “I wonder what would happen if…” Some people have no problem setting goals for themselves and crushing them. But if you’re like me, you function much better based off of curiosity than absolute certainty. Deciding an endgame and working towards it with focus and dedication is one way of doing things. But not everyone or every area of your life will thrive using this method. You might not even know your end goal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a direction. All you need to ask yourself is, “I wonder what would happen if…” and fill in the blank with whatever it is you’re curious about. What are the possibilities? And how do they make you feel? If they light you up with excitement then odds are it’s something worth trying. All you need is curiosity and to try that next step.

3 Surround yourself with your interests

The last and most obvious way to stay inspired is to surround yourself with your interests: i.e. things that inspire you! This can be done in so many different ways and will look different to everyone, depending of course, on what your interests are. Immerse yourself in any way you can in what you enjoy. Whether that be music, nature, art, science, food, roller skating, figurine making— whatever it is! Listen to podcasts on it, read books on it, find other people that do it, do it yourself! The ways you can incorporate it into your life are endless. Even if you don’t have a particular passion per se, anything you enjoy will do! The idea is to start somewhere and see where it takes you. It isn’t about being a master at it, it’s about exploring it that much further. Finding out something about it you didn’t know or know how to do before.

Inspiration like I said, is spontaneous. You never know where it will pop up. But if you stay open minded, curious and immersed in your interests, you’re sure to have a healthy supply of it.