A daily dose of inspiration

As I lay in my bed, laptop open, the fan blowing somewhat cool air onto my face, I think about the ongoing heatwave, the need to write more, my neverending but underpaid list of blog content I need to write for clients, and finally about the gladiolus flower that I need to harvest and put into a large vase.

My thoughts are all over the place, and maybe you feel the same way...

After making a hearty meatball soup for today's lunch, I decided that I need to start working. But, 20 minutes in, I lost all inspiration and all motivation. It was a sudden disconnect. Why? I'm not quite sure. But, what I do know is that getting back on track can be hard. So, I thought, why don't I look for some inspiration?

And, after doing so, I decided to share some of it with you in hopes that you can feel a bit better if you're feeling like me today. I hate cliche positivity jargon and those really obnoxious "positive vibes" quotes, but you know what? Sometimes we all need a little pick-me-up.

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Inspiring memory: a day at the lake

This was a beautiful sunset in a local park in Toronto, Canada. I now live in Romania, but I hope to visit soon.

Whenever I feel down, I remember the sharp cries of the seagulls as they fly around the lake, looking for their next meal. That, combined with the sounds of crickets on a hot summer day, is a beautiful memory I don't ever want to forget.

Inspiring photo: my flowers

The first two gladiolus flowers from the garden, one a peachy pink, the other a beautiful dark purple. I'm not sure about the combination with these cute wildflowers I picked when I went to the mountains, but hey, it's all about the simple things in life. Not everything has to be perfect.

Inspiring quote: Isabel Allende

“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while the muse shows up, too.” —Isabel Allende

This quote is exactly what I needed to hear. My struggle is "showing up" when it's go-time. I am expecting an imaginary muse to show up, tell me what I need to know for my work, and then relieve me of the burden of endless content writing. But, it's a bit silly, I admit.

However, showing up, trying to do something, and actively making your life better is what it takes for that breakthrough moment. When you sit down to write and feel writer's block sucking the soul out of you, keep going and write, even if it's just five words. Eventually, the muse will show up and plant a seed in your mind.

Inspiring aesthetic: cottagecore

There's no aesthetics that is more appealing to me than cottagecore. It's all about pastoral scenes, quaint little villages, old wooden cabins, fairytales, faeries, picnics in the forest, and flowy feminine dresses.

Pink, flowy dresses remind me of the Jane Austen classics which are still my favorite novels to this day. When I think of cottagecore, I imagine Elizabeth Bennett walking through the fields of her beautiful English village in the 2006 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

Keira Knightley wasn't wearing a pink dress but I kind of wish she was it would've been dreamy but now I am just turning it into a modern fantasy in which characters are no longer wearing historically accurate costumes.

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

What can you do to experience a tiny slice of the fantasy cottagecore life? I recommend going on a picnic. If you can't go on a picnic in the countryside, try a local park or even your backyard.

How cute is this picnic set? It's perfect for a date, or just a relaxing time with loved ones and friends.

You can get the picnic basket for 4 people on Amazon.

Since it's sweltering hot today, I'll probably end up picking fresh raspberries and gooseberries from the garden in the evening when it starts to cool down. But, until then, I will spend time working, enjoying a coffee, and dreaming of better days to come.

Need a break? Read about how to make coffee breaks a part of your daily self-care routine.

#inspiration