Have you ever felt like you're stranded on a deserted road in the middle of the desert during summer while waiting in line at the grocery store? Just me? The world isn't always full of rain

bows—especially this time of year when spooks, specters, goblins, and vampires outnumber sunshine and unicorns. The worst thing for a creative mind is being stuck in a mind-numbing meeting or an endless line, wishing for a distraction—maybe even a poke in the eye, just to feel something. But fear not! With a sprinkle of imagination, you can turn even the most mundane situation into a story worth telling.

Ghosts of Inspirations Past

Like a friendly ghost, ideas from the past often reappear when you least expect them, ready to be revived with fresh energy. You don’t need Frankenstein’s laboratory or a lightning bolt to reanimate an old idea; sometimes, all it takes is a new perspective. This is where mundane tasks come into play. Revisit your old journals, notes, or past creative attempts and see what fresh insights a new day might bring.

The truth is that old ideas and forgotten moments can haunt us creatively. But who you gonna call? You just need to summon your creative mind and the experiences you’ve gained since you last worked on the project. Like when I completely abandoned One World United, even though it was almost finished. I kept thinking about it—until a motivating conversation with someone amazing reignited my passion, and a year later, my book was finished and published!

Pondering these possibilities can transform a haunted memory into a delightful adventure.

Witches Brew of Creativity

Many times, creative lifers block out the world around them. I know I am very guilty of this; ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that my home is my fortress of solitude. But honestly, I sometimes forget how life blends to tell its own stories.

The creative mind is like a cauldron: throw in the right ingredients from your surroundings, stir it up, and watch as magical ideas bubble to the surface. Creative minds can blend sights, smells, sounds, conversations, and locations just like witches brew potions. Add the right words for the moment, and voilà! You’ve created a potion of inspiration.

For me, some of the best ingredients come from my own experiences. I can still smell the salty air of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, and I vividly recall the confusion I felt when my Uncle Charlie from New York, with his thick accent, talked to a guy from deep Mississippi, whose drawl matched the scenery!

The truth is, life is as interesting as you make it. You can actively choose to find inspiration—even when you’re just staring at a wall. So, find your spark, and ignite your passion!”

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Facing Your Creative Demons

Mostly, I’ve found that there are three battles to face in my creative journey: self-doubt, fear, and toxicity. Each one is its own dragon to slay.

Self-Doubt

This sneaky beast creeps up behind you, whispering that you’re not good enough or that no one will care about your dreams. My own demons tell me that people will hate my work and that I should be doing more for my family and friends instead of chasing a seemingly fruitless dream. I often struggle with how to care for my world while pursuing my passion for writing a book.

But I am the best demon-slayer I know. I’ve discovered that the demon of self-doubt hates action. So, make small steps to fight back. Create a list of achievable goals and start working through them. It may take time, but all great masterpieces do. Those seemingly small goals will begin to snowball.

Fear

“What if I fail?” “What if I lose everything?” “What if I’m not as good as someone else?” These are some of the fears that haunt me.

Fear is a sly demon, feeding off the unknown, chaos, and insecurity. It’s okay to feel afraid, but it’s not okay to let fear paralyze your potential.

So, how do you banish this demon? I say it often, and I’ll say it again: MAKE A LIST! The antidote to fear is action and routine. Set aside at least ten minutes daily to focus on your dreams. Start small—perhaps by Googling how to reach your goals. Then break it down into actionable steps and tackle them one by one.

Toxicity

This demon may be the hardest to slay. Toxicity creeps in through your environment, Little Shop of Horrors style, seeking to drag you back down to earth. These shape-shifters might be loving parents or friends who mean well but think you’re wasting your life on creative pursuits, telling you not to throw it all away.

One of my biggest challenges was setting boundaries with my grandmother. I often heard that I was dreaming of a life opposite to what it takes to have a loving husband and a well-rounded life. While she meant well, her perspective didn’t align with my truth.

The harsh reality is that some of these soul-suckers don’t even realize they’re being toxic. That’s where you come in. Wield boundaries like a shield—not just against naysayers (good intentions or not), but also in your own mind about what feedback you will accept.

Toxicity can also lurk in familiar spaces. Your home, job, or even car can become breeding grounds for creative stagnation. Exhaustion from work shifts, chaotic home life with endless chores, or even the noise of daily commuting can overshadow your creative spirit.

But my silver bullet remains the same: lists and schedules. By scheduling ten minutes of creativity for yourself or fifteen during your lunch break, you can carve out time amidst the chaos. If you have a plan and know what’s next, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and more productive.

Trick or Treat Your Surroundings

Whether you’re out and about or lounging at home, help your brain stay creative by uncovering hidden treasures all around you. The ‘trick’ is to train your mind to see the world as a treasure map, full of buried gems just waiting to inspire you. The ‘treat’? Discovering creative inspiration in the most unexpected places!

Maybe it’s a quirky conversation you overhear at a café or a shadow cast just right in your living room—it all has the potential to spark something magical. So, embrace the spirit of adventure and curiosity, much like Halloween itself, where surprises can be both spooky and delightful. Creativity, like Halloween, is full of mystery, fun, and endless possibilities. Just keep your eyes open, and your next idea could be lurking right around the corner.