Written by Vedika Dayal.

Whether you’re a creative by trade or you just need 100 more words to hit that essay word count, finding inspiration during the pandemic is hard. I am currently writing a book called Think Outside the Odds, which requires me to consistently output content. For me, stagnancy is the biggest trap. It is all too easy to sit in your PJs and only move when you need to refuel on snacks. When I’m rotting in bed and longing for those days of sitting at Café Think and watching the world go by as I wrote down big ideas, I crave inspiration. 

So, I seek randomness. 

Randomness breaks up the monotony of being at home. It’s kept my mind on its toes. It’s kept me feeling excited about the different projects I’m working on. Most importantly, it’s given me opportunities to find inspiration. 

Here are 3 ways to spark that randomness in your own life.

1. Work out of your car

This is my favorite thing to do during the pandemic. The idea first came to me on a whim. As winter approached and it got colder outside, working outside at coffee shops got increasingly difficult. Luckily, I had something in my garage that was perfect for giving me a new, warm working environment. 

I drove to a local coffee shop, picked up coffee, and then parked facing the street. I got to watch the world go by as I worked cross-legged in the car. It was raining that day, and people were chattering underneath umbrellas as they walked between stores. 

I was with someone else, so we played a game where we would count the number of cars we saw of a certain color. It was a fun way to focus on the little things around us, and before I knew it, I had 1,000 words down for my manuscript. 

If you’re feeling stuck during dead week, go take your car out for a spin. Just make sure to stay safe by turning your car off while you work!

2. Go on a walk through a neighborhood you’ve never explored before

I live in a suburban area, where things start to feel homogenous after years of living here. But one habit I’ve picked up during quarantine is to take a walk as soon as I feel my brain starting to get tired. I rarely walked through my neighborhood pre-COVID, so the experience has shown me that there are so many nooks and crannies of my town that I have never explored before.

Turn on a podcast or your favorite bop and head outside. Seeing a familiar place in a new light can spark a lot of new ideas. 

3. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while 

This is one that I am still working on. I’ve always thought of myself as pretty introverted, but being in quarantine has made me miss one-on-one interactions. As a result, recently, I’ve found myself seeking new conversations. 

The best people to have good ones with are people you haven’t spoken to in a while. A lot of times, their ideas will spark new ones in your mind. If you’re not sure where to start, try an old friend from high school or a distant relative.

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Within our communities, there’s so much energy and new ideas to be discovered. Finding inspiration during the pandemic looks a little different, but the world remains your oyster. Whether you decide to cozy up on your car or call up that friend you promised to stay in touch with but never did, all you have to do is seek out the pearls.

By Vedika Dayal

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