Where I find inspiration on the days I can’t write
The other morning, I found myself staring at my screen, feeling a bit at a loss for words. I wondered what had happened to my writing inspiration, hoping it might just be a temporary slump. Then, suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and I quickly jumped up, feeling grateful for the interruption.
When I opened the door, I was greeted by a delivery person with the biggest smile on his face. His cheerful mood was so contagious that I paused to chat, and we ended up sharing a laugh right there at the door. With a smile, I returned to my screen and started writing.
Little moments like these truly brighten my day. And they can spark my writing inspiration when I’m feeling a bit stuck. Sometimes it’s just a temporary wobble, as it was for me that morning.m(If your dry spell continues, please click here to read about the lack of motivation that makes writing feel impossible.
Many daily factors can affect us, like not getting enough sleep, hearing news that worries us, or having an argument with someone we care about. These things can drag us down and make it harder to get into flow.
Writing haikus often helps me get started
A few years back, I stumbled upon a brilliant idea that’s been my go-to source of inspiration: writing haikus. It all started during one of our Writer’s Hours, though the seeds were laid way before. And there’s a little story behind that which you can read here.
Writing just three lines about what I was experiencing was like waving a magic wand that unlocked my creativity. It opened up a whole new world of writing possibilities, and since then haikus have even inspired whole new blog posts!
Haikus capture a fleeting moment in time, like something we see in 3 lines that follow the 5-7-5 syllable structure. They often conclude with a realisation or an intuitive thought that comes to you.
Here’s one of my own examples:
Ideas float gently by
The fog lifts its heavy hold
The mind is open
If you are new to writing haikus, please click here to read about the benefits for bloggers with detailed instructions and a few writing prompts that could even lead to a full blog post.
Reading can spark new ideas 
Do you read a lot too? Reading helps me, always! I enjoy reading stories from women who follow their heart, often purely for their own fulfilment. Invariably, this inspires others too. Brave and authentic writing inspires me too, from women speaking their truth even when it feels difficult.
Every new idea, perspective, or approach can inspire your own writing journey. The most inspiring moments often come from exploring the unfamiliar beyond our comfort zone.
Do you ever read anything you’d never normally read?
I’m a passionate Substack reader who loves discovering posts from new writers on surprising topics that truly spark my imagination. Substack makes this easy for readers, as does Medium (as long as you have signed up).
Where do you like to read online? If you are looking for new writing inspiration, maybe it’s worth trying somewhere different?
Next, there is inspiration that doesn’t come from reading but from engaging differently with the world around you.
A change of space helps – as does being present
Your brain might associate a certain environment with a specific behaviour. If you always write at the same desk, it may feel like the place where you should be writing. Switching things up a bit can get your words to flow again. A walk, a different room, a bench outside… a physical shift can certainly break the loop.
But that’s not all! I often feel a sense of hope when I am outside. In the summer, I take my laptop to sit in the garden whenever I can. The hope I feel comes from being aware of the changing seasons, a beautiful reminder of new beginnings!
They often come with small glimmers and joyful moments that brighten our days, like a robin hopping to sit beside me in the garden, a sudden burst of sunshine on a cloudy day, or the cheerful mood of a delivery driver, just like that morning.
Taking a moment to truly notice the moment can spark fresh ideas or insights you might not have considered before. It might also inspire you to share your thoughts with others, creating a genuine connection.
Sometimes, when we stop stressing over a problem like our lack of inspiration, our mind can unexpectedly surprise us. You might find an idea coming to you when you least expect it, perhaps in the shower, right after waking up, or while you’re exercising. It’s such a great reminder that creativity can also strike when you relax and let your mind wander.
Whenever you’re searching for fresh writing inspiration, consider changing your surroundings to spark new ideas. Have you thought about what that might look like for you?
Old drafts, notebooks, note apps and voice notes
I have a few drafts saved in the draft folder of this WordPress site, and others are stored in the cloud. Sometimes, I worry that I give up on projects way too soon. But then again, I find it really rewarding to revisit something I began six months ago. It’s nice to see it with fresh eyes, noticing what works well and discovering areas to improve or develop further. Adding a little personal story is always a good idea.
The best part is, I don’t have to start over from scratch! (By the way, the post you’re reading is one of those revisited pieces!)
Do you love collecting notebooks as well? I have quite a collection myself, and I really enjoy flipping through old notes to find fresh ideas. As I capture most of my ideas in a mind map, a list, or a little story, I often strike lucky.
In recent years, I have also used the notes app on my phone. It is great for capturing ideas when you’re on the move.
Voice notes can be useful too. I sometimes record strange dreams that way. Who knows, there might be something in there that leads to an idea.
Paying attention to conversations
Before the pandemic, I really enjoyed bringing my laptop to coffee shops to write. I miss those special moments, now that my health issues make this a bit harder. Sometimes, I’d overhear snippets of conversations nearby. Maybe it was the topic, a story, or an unfamiliar word. Those tiny pieces of information can ignite something inside us, too.
Whenever I chat with coaching clients or friends who also love writing, I often hear interesting stories, perspectives, or beliefs that naturally draw us into a deeper conversation. Sometimes, someone will say, “Oh, I could write about that!” And if they don’t, I might gently suggest, “Have you thought about exploring that more in your journal or a blog post?”
Usually, these moments pass by so quickly that we might not even notice them. We’re often so absorbed in the details of our conversations that we forget that ideas are always right there within us, simply waiting to be discovered.
So a great question to reflect on after a conversation is, “What can I take away from this time with my friend, client, or coach?”
As a coach, I find it helpful afterwards to reflect on how present I was with my client. I might also consider whether their questions are ones others might ask and deserve some space on my blog.
How do you capture your ideas? If you haven’t started recording them yet, I encourage you to pick a method that works for you and try it!
PS Now it’s over to you. What helps you find your writing inspiration?
This could be a writing prompt, if you wish? It can be a person, a place, or a feeling – or even an object. In fact, whatever inspires you, perhaps it gives you hope, makes you feel relaxed, and brings a smile to your face. These are the moments to remember.
PS. These photos are all my own – copyright 2026 Ute Wieczorek-King
