Stuck in a creative rut? Take inspiration from the natural world

Here's how the world around us can nurture our creativity

I take a sip of my tea, and stare out at the scene: the colourful, wooden rowing boats bobbing on the lake, contrasting the various green hues of the mountains reflected on the rippling canvas of the water. I breathe in the sweet smell of grass and flowers lingering in the air. Geese honk in the distance, and a stream rushes nearby. There is the sound of other people at this lakeside café, chatting softly, punctuated by the occasional clatter of a teacup. Gazing out as I sit at this wooden picnic table, I feel so calm. I could happily stay here all day. My notebook and pen are in front of me, and, over the course of an hour, I write pages and pages.

Natural inspiration

I’d been feeling in a bit of a creative rut, so having the words flow is very welcome. Being in nature can be a brilliant way of kindling our creativity. Sometimes, our art can be directly inspired by what we observe – sketching a sparrow perched on a branch, or penning poetry about a beautiful view.

But being in nature can also help spark our imagination even if what we’re working on has nothing to do with the natural world. I find going on a walk, even just a 20-minute lunchtime lap around the block, can help me come up with ideas, or think through a problem, and I return to my desk feeling refreshed.

“When we are in nature, creativity is all around us, and there is something for all our senses,” says life coach Ingrid Van Oostrom. “Nature is rich in symbolism. For example, when you are going through a challenging time in life and you sit at the edge of a flowing river, thoughts of the flow of life might come up, knowing that challenges come and go. Or when looking at a growing tree you might appreciate the resilience of your body, mind, and spirit.”

Being at one with nature can support our wellbeing and help us reconnect with ourselves, too. “Taking a moment to appreciate and connect with nature brings peace,” Ingrid says. “It calms us, and can give us many insights. Many artists head into nature to escape the distractions of daily life, to connect with themselves and the world around them. When we are able to disconnect from modern life and technology, and truly connect to nature, that is when creativity flows, as we are surrounded by it.”

Creative release

You may well have experienced how spending time in nature can help ease difficult emotions. We can combine this calming benefit of nature with a creative outlet.

“Using creativity is a great way to release negative emotions,” explains Ingrid. “For example, when being frustrated, going out in nature clears our mind, which then allows us to use a creative activity to release that frustration. Imagine painting dark clouds with the sun in the background, or journaling out pent-up thoughts.”

We can use nature as a way of tapping into how we feel. Sometimes, I find that the sense of awe of being in nature can make me want to put pen to paper to capture how I feel, and to reflect on my life.

Creativity inspired by nature

If you want to give it a go yourself, have a think about what has inspired you in the past. Are you moved by a sunset, or the sound of the dawn chorus? Do you feel free swimming in the sea, or wandering through a woodland? And while travelling to a well-known beauty spot can be worthwhile, it’s good to think about ways you can connect with nature close to where you live, rather than waiting for the ‘perfect’ place.

“It starts with awareness, like most things,” says Ingrid. “Be present and use the senses to ground yourself. Look at that view, feel the earth beneath your feet, smell that smell. What does that bring up for you? Being at the beach when it is windy might inspire you to run along the shoreline, or dance on the sand creating funky shapes.”

If you aren’t sure about what creative activity to use, it can help to get in touch with what you’ve enjoyed in the past. Says Ingrid: “Which sense do you connect with most? If you are a visual person, then you might love to paint, or draw, or take photos, or experiment with natural dyes. Maybe you connect to sound? Then you might like to record birdsong or the sound of waves or wind for a musical piece, or use it to sleep at night. If it is touch, what about walking barefoot, planting plants in your garden, or practising yoga or hugging a tree? Listen to your intuition.”

You might want to bring something like a notebook or sketchbook with you, or even make notes or take photos with your phone (I’d recommend switching off notifications or putting your phone on aeroplane mode so you aren’t distracted when using it). But you may also find that you don’t need any materials – that just being in nature is enough. Sometimes, it can help to go with a gentle sense of purpose, but it’s OK to just let yourself go with the flow and not set big expectations.

For me, finding somewhere comfortable to sit with my notebook and pen, whether perched on a rock or at a picnic table by a lake, is the perfect way to be inspired by nature.