Well of Inspiration: Creating an Inspiration Box

An inspiration box is a box that contains various items that is used as a source of inspiration for a project that someone is working on. The box is a centralized source of items relating to the work that the creator can turn to when they reach a creative block. You can use one box for all things that inspire you, or a separate box for each project. I personally go with the separate boxes in order to keep my various projects distinct from each other. An inspiration box is also useful when taking a break from a project. When you want to return to the project, you open the box up, review what is in there and start working on it again. This also allows you to view the items with "new eyes", as it were, with a fresh perspective.

As mentioned before, the box can contain various items. These items can range from pictures to shaped soaps to scraps of fabric. The items are anything that sparks the imagination of the creator in relation to their various projects. Items with a specific smell, with a certain sensation when touched, the recording of the way someone speaks, are all things that can go into the box. Anything that inspired the person in a certain way can go into the box.

Many cardboard boxes are available at a relativity low cost at office supply stores, but if you do not want to use a box, there are other alternatives. I personally use binders to divide all my writing projects. I keep color swatches and pictures in the pockets, all my edited drafts are in one section using dividers, and all my notes and personal drawings are in another section. If I have any offshoot stories, I put those in the back of the binder in the last section.

Computer folders can also be used. Most people are comfortable with this since a majority of people use their computer on a daily basis. Setting up a specific set of folders with all of the work pertaining to your projects is quick and simple.The only downfall to this is that you really want to save (backup) these folders to others locations, like a flash drive, in case anything happens with your computer. Even printing out copies of the project and inspiration items are something to consider. Just remember to put those hard copies in a safe place!

Having a specific place to put your inspirational items is very important. Whether it be a box, binder, or on your computer, keeping organized is key to digging yourself out of a creative rut quickly. When you know exactly where to go to get your creative battery charged, you do not have to fret about keeping on schedule, finishing a lingering project, or picking up a project again later. So pick yourself up a box and start filling!