Let’s face it. Most of us spent the first few weeks of quarantine promising ourselves we’d stick to our workouts and goals but just ended up binge watching Tiger King on Netflix.

No matter how hard we try, sticking to a plan during these times is hard. We have thousands of other things running through our minds. 

If you find yourself straying from your standard patterns, don’t be too hard on yourself. But keep in mind that these goals may actually help you through these times. 

Here are some ways to stay inspired while quarantining in your homes:

  • Set yourself a schedule 

And stick to it. Make sure it is reasonable and something you can stick to, such as writing for thirty minutes every night. Give yourself rewards for when you accomplish your goals. But remember to be kind to yourself if you stray from time to time. 

  • Read! 

I will say this a thousand times over. Nothing inspires me to create more than reading someone else’s genius writing and wishing I had come up with it first. Whether it’s one of your old favorites or an author that you’re trying for the first time, reading will spark your own creative flow. 

  • Change your surroundings

Write somewhere you usually wouldn’t. Go to the kitchen, or sit by the window. And if the weather permits, sit outside. There’s nothing like a slight breeze on your skin and hearing the birds chirp to ignite an afternoon of creativity.

  • Listen to music

Pick a playlist that matches your mood. Or pick a playlist that matches the mood you want to have. Let it guide you! 

  • Think about your biggest stress/fear

Not only will this help your writing flow out of you, it’s also a great way to relieve the stress. By putting your worries on paper, you’re releasing it from your mind. Try not to overthink about what or how you write. Just let it out. 

  • If all else fails, set it aside

If you’re not feeling inspired and nothing else is helping, do something else. My go-to is crafts. Whenever I am in the artistic headspace but can’t formulate any words, I like to create in other ways. Sometimes, this helps lead to my writing mode. 

No matter what, don’t get discouraged. And don’t give up!