To Be Inspired.
Spring is springing, summer is coming, and we couldn’t be happier. What better way to celebrate than find some fun things that inspire you to be creative while reveling in this pre-Christmas season!
So here are SIX things you can do FOR FREE to find inspiration and spark some joy. (Not on the list because it’s not free, but seemingly relevant: go and see SIX the Musical. You won’t regret it. I saw it in August and we had two of the swings and the whole cast were all phenomenal).
Okay back to the free stuff:
Go to a Library
Specifically if I need inspiration for a certain project, going to the local Library is one of the easiest ways I can find inspiration, and it’s something I recommend to a lot of artists I talk to who feel like they’re creatively stuck. Libraries are FULL of (cover) art, of fun and quirky titles, and when something catches your eye, flick through the book and read a few sentences. You are instantly in someone else’s world, which evidently opens your mind in the best of ways.
Try to note to yourself what it was about the book that stood out to you (the colour, the font, the title, the size) so you can play with ideas for your next creative project. (I’m not talking about graphic design here; if you liked a bold font, for example, maybe some bold choices are going to be helpful and fun in your next project. If you liked a tiny font or detailed patterns, maybe little subtle movements/choices will be something for you to focus on).
Hot tip: Go to the State Library if you’re wanting some architecture inspiration while you’re at it, and then head to the smaller library on Flinders Lane for a smaller, more local vibe. If you’re reading this from overseas (Hi!! We see you!!) there will be some great options near you, too - have a google and find some little old book stores for some added atmosphere.
2. Walk through the Botanical Gardens
This one is a given. I almost said walk along the bay but that seemed too cliche. (Except for the fact that it’s so not overrated!) I remember one project I had for a client through my job Producing, I was helping our editor and looking up sound effects for water lapping, then birds chirping, then rain. As you likely know if you’ve been around the StrecthiFlex, I live in Elwood, so I had to keep pausing the sounds to differentiate between the actual birds outside and the ones I was listening to online. I then walked to the gym along the bay and noticed the sound of the waves on the rocks and realized it was pretty identical to the sounds I was listening to earlier. All this to say, whatever we create is a replica of what is already around you: so just go for a walk in nature and you’ll be refreshed in all the right senses.
(There are Botanical Gardens in St Kilda as well as the ones by the city).
3. Sign up to (or just attend) an Open Mic night
I went to an Open Mic last night in Brunswick and it was such a vibe. A friend of mine was singing so I went to support her, and I forgot how much fun it is to watch live music*, hear peoples stories and listen to original music from super talented local/aspiring artists. (Plus you ALWAYS learn so much for yourself from seeing other people perform live).
*Okay so maybe I didn’t forget that it’s fun: I go to live music events at least once a month and they’re always a good time with such a solid mix of artists but what I meaaannnnn is: while live music is just the best thing in general, Open Mics are different because there’s an air of newness for the people performing (rather than an established artist playing at a venue) and being there to support them and hear their music when they are SO new to performing: it’s just, special, you know?
Okay this image is from Rome but there’s some markets by the bay in St Kilda and Elwood sometimes too if you want the addition of bay views!
4. Go to an Op Shop or Local Markets
There are so many (SO MANY) great things to find at op shops or local markets (Chapel St and Brunswick’s Sydney Road are my Op Shop go-to’s, and the Camberwell Market is my market go-to (although admittedly I haven’t been since 2016…)). There are so many pieces of art, so many clothes you can get creative with, just so much STUFF to look at and be inspired by. PLEASE NOTE: I am not someone who always needs to buy something: I can easily spend hours at a market or go op-shop-hopping and happily buy literally nothing. If this is NOT you and you find you always need to buy something, maybe this point isn’t for you!! <3
Fun fact: Friends of mine convinced me to watch This Is Us in 2019 and I was so impressed by literally everything (the writing, the casting, the acting, the everything) but especially the scene (SpOiLeR) where the house burns down and you see the different items catching on fire and the story behind each item (THAT SCENE WRECKED ME) and now when I go to op shops or markets I have a little brain-vacation of the stories and moments and memories these different items have lived. I personally find it so inspiring and just freeing to look at peoples past memories.
Fun fact number two: I stayed in a place opposite one of the filming locations for This Is Us in Los Angeles WHILE I was in the process of watching the show and I became low key obsessed. That too is inspiring but a little difficult to put on a Melbourne to-do list, lol.
5. Bring a picnic blanket and a book to a park or the bay.
So this can tie nicely into point 2 (and point 1 if you get said book from the library lol), but there’s nothing quite as relaxing as laying in the sun reading a book! I’ve already talked about how good reading is for your brain and creativity, and at this time of year honestly what could be better. Bring your dog for some added cuddles. If, like me, you don’t have a dog just cuddle someone else's - there are plenty at the park AND the bay. I feel like “Go and cuddle a strangers dog” could be a point all on its own but it’s giving weirdo. (Even though we ALL do this frequently, it just doesn’t belong on a todo list)?!
Regardless of how many dogs you do or do not cuddle reading a book in the sun, people watching, and not being rushed for time will be sure to fill your inspiration cup. (On the topic of cups, make sure to bring water, kombucha, iced coffee, snacks - every good picnic thing. Just pre-plan where you are in vicinity to the public toilets if you have that many beverages with you, tho).
6. Visit THIS heroic list from the City of Melbourne for their list of The best free museums and art galleries in Melbourne (spoiler: you will get inspired just by reading this list).
There are sooooo many great things to do in Southbank, and the above link (circled) will tell you all about it! There’s so many public transport options (you’re probably extremely used to by now), otherwise correct me if I’m wrong (please!!) but I find parking on Grant Street the most convenient option.
I hope you take some time for yourself this week and do one (or six) things on this list before the chaos of December hits you!
Xx
