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On Inspiration

 

A lot has been said about inspiration. There’s a widespread belief that it’s unpredictable and comes whenever it pleases. Some people wait for it for years — but it never shows up. I’ll take the liberty to debunk some myths on this subject.

 

On the one hand, the muse of inspiration is indeed mysterious. Under normal circumstances, it can strike at any moment, without asking whether you’re ready for its company or not. It just barges in unceremoniously. And if you miss that chance, this lady leaves just as quickly, without even a farewell air kiss.

 

In fact, I used to have similar thoughts myself. However, with experience came a completely different understanding and approach. The myths were debunked, the fog cleared, and the gnomes scattered.

 

Once I heard a phrase whose essence boils down to this: inspiration is, in fact, simply a productive working state — and anyone can bring themselves into it. And it’s not that difficult. Remember the proverb “appetite comes with eating”? Well, I might argue about that in the context of food — but when it comes to inspiration, it almost always works.

 

We think about this muse too much. That’s why it’s become so spoiled by our attention that it’s grown overly capricious. In one of his books, the well‑known writer Vadim Zeland says there’s no need to wait for inspiration to visit. Start creating without it. Since the muse desperately needs attention, it’ll be so hurt by your indifference that it’ll definitely knock on your door.

 

Sometimes it doesn’t knock right away. But it almost always comes. And then you feel like you’re entering a flow — a current that carries you further and further.

 

There were times when I picked up the guitar without feeling inspired — I did it because I had a goal: to write a new composition. So I started creating. It didn’t work out. I kept going. Still didn’t work. I tried again. No luck. Another attempt. Still nothing. One more try. And a bit more. And suddenly… there it is! It’s happening! Something unique is being born: a motif, a melody, anything. Your body instantly responds, and super‑focus, super‑concentration sets in. Inspiration, by all means! It’s here! Laziness, fatigue, and bad thoughts suddenly vanish. The whole world fades into the background. As a result, you create something unique — something that didn’t exist in this world just a few minutes ago.

 

Would I have written this composition if I’d decided to wait for inspiration before picking up the instrument? Possibly. But how long would I have waited? A month? A year? Ten years? Who knows. Heck, I even started writing this post without inspiration — and now, having gotten into the swing of things, I’m writing in such a flow that my fingers are literally typing on their own, and my soul is filled with delight. That’s how it works.

 

And if creativity becomes your constant companion in life, you’ll find yourself entering this state more and more often — simply by touching the guitar, canvas, paints, pencil, keyboard, microphone, or anything else you use to create.

 

Yes, sometimes apathy creeps in too. It can indeed take hold of you — and even long attempts to create something won’t lead to the desired result. If you feel strong fatigue and resistance, it’s probably best to put everything aside for a while to recover. Either you’ve become too saturated with the activity (yes, it can happen even with something you love), and you need a break — or you’ve chosen something that’s not truly for you.

 

When I write music, not everything always goes smoothly and is paved with roses. But I know that waiting for inspiration is a waste of time. It’ll come on its own. And life is too short to wait for it.

 

Choose an activity you love, start creating, and you’ll see the magic happen. Just create — as best you can. And everything will work out. I believe in you.