By: Kylie Lang

Looking for new ways to stay inspired? Whether it’s in class, at work, or just in daily life. Inspiration can feel incredible when it hits, but frustrating when it fades. The good news is, you don’t have to wait around for it to return. With a few intentional habits and mindset shifts, you can actively create and sustain it. Here are some practical tips to help you rediscover your motivation and stay inspired, no matter what comes your way.

1. Change Up Your Routine

Sometimes the easiest way to feel inspired is to do something different. If your day-to-day schedule is the same, it’s easy to fall into repetition. Start small. Change your study location, rearrange your workspace, or take a different walking path to class. New surroundings can lead to new thoughts and ideas.

Try going to a new spot on campus, like the library’s upper floors, Hyland Hall, the Serentity Space in the Warhawk Connection Center,  or even a quiet outdoor bench on a sunny day. These changes may seem minor, but they can help reset your brain and give you a fresh perspective on what you’re working on.

2. Surround Yourself with Positive Energy

The people you spend time with play a significant role in how you feel day to day. If you’re around people who are constantly negative, it’s easy to start feeling discouraged or unmotivated. On the flip side, surrounding yourself with passionate, driven, and optimistic individuals can help re-energize you.

This doesn’t mean you need to cut people out of your life, but make an effort to spend more time with people who uplift you. Look for classmates who are enthusiastic about their work, coworkers who take pride in their work, or mentors who genuinely enjoy helping others. Being around people who are inspired often enables you to feel inspired as well.

You can also join student organizations or attend campus events that align with your interests. You might discover a community of like-minded individuals who remind you why you chose your path in the first place.

3. Take Breaks Without Guilt

It’s common to think that the more time you spend working, the more productive you’ll be. But without rest, your brain becomes foggy, your creativity slows down, and burnout starts to creep in. Ironically, working non-stop often leads to less productivity and less inspiration.

Permit yourself to take breaks throughout the day. Step away from your computer. Listen to music. Stretch. Breathe deeply. Even just a ten-minute walk can help clear your mind. The goal isn’t to avoid your work, but to return to it with fresh energy. Inspiration often strikes when you’re not staring directly at the problem.

4. Reconnect with Your “Why”

When things get difficult or tedious, it helps to take a step back and remember why you started. Why did you choose your major? What excites you about your career goals? Who are you doing this for?

It’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when you’re caught up in deadlines, grades, and responsibilities. But if you take a moment to reflect on your long-term vision, it can reignite your passion. Try writing down your goals, creating a vision board, or simply journaling about what motivates you.

Keeping your “why” visible, whether that’s a note on your mirror or a quote as your phone wallpaper, can serve as a helpful reminder when you’re feeling uninspired.

5. Try Something New

Routines are helpful for structure, but they can also limit your creativity if you never branch out. Trying something new, even if it’s unrelated to your field of study, can help you see the world differently. This could be learning a new skill, attending a workshop, reading a book outside your usual genre, or taking an elective that interests you.

Stepping outside of your academic comfort zone introduces you to new perspectives and might even spark ideas you can bring back into your primary area of focus. Sometimes the most inspiring moments come from unexpected places.

Not sure where to start? Check out the UWW Events Calendar for upcoming activities, visit the One Stop to connect with a Success Coach, or stop by Student Activities & Involvement to meet with an Involvement Intern. You never know which opportunity might spark a new passion!

6. Break Big Goals into Smaller Steps

One of the fastest ways to feel stuck is to look at a giant task and think, “How am I ever going to do this?” Significant goals are essential, but they can feel overwhelming if you don’t break them down into manageable steps. Instead of focusing on the outcome, try focusing on the next small, manageable step.

For example, if you’re working on a big paper, don’t think about writing the entire thing in one sitting. Begin by outlining a few key points or simply writing the introduction. Those small victories will give you the momentum to keep going.

Celebrate each step forward. Progress, no matter how small, builds confidence and confidence fuels inspiration.

7. Limit the Comparison Trap

It’s hard to stay inspired when you’re constantly comparing yourself to others. Social media, classmates, and even coworkers can make it seem like everyone else has it all figured out. The truth is, they don’t. Everyone is facing their own struggles behind the scenes.

Focus on your own journey. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Inspiration thrives when you’re tuned into your own goals, values, and growth, not someone else’s highlight reel.

Instead of comparing, try appreciating. Let others’ success motivate you without letting it diminish your own progress.

8. Practice Gratitude

Inspiration often comes from appreciating what you already have. Taking a moment each day to reflect on what’s going well can shift your mindset from stress to gratitude.

This doesn’t mean ignoring your challenges, but recognizing the positives in your life can give you the emotional energy to keep going. Try writing down three things you’re thankful for at the end of each day. It could be something as simple as a good cup of coffee, a kind word from a friend, or finishing an assignment on time.

Gratitude builds resilience, and resilience keeps inspiration alive, even when things get tough.

Final Thoughts

Staying inspired isn’t always easy, especially when life gets hectic. But inspiration doesn’t have to be a rare, magical feeling. It’s something you can nurture by making small, consistent choices. Whether it’s taking breaks, connecting with passionate people, or trying something new, there are always ways to reignite your spark.

Keep exploring. Keep reflecting. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. You’re doing more than you think, and your next burst of inspiration might be just around the corner.