It all started during an Eric Clapton concert, where artist Ed Sheeran was inspired to start playing guitar after hearing the song ‘Layla’s iconic riff. Afterward, while still learning guitar, he came across a musician called  Damien Rice in a pub, it was there where he was inspired to start writing his own songs which are now hit records in the music industry.  

In these difficult times of being locked up at home, it’s really important to find inspiration and there’s no better time to pick up a new hobby. To be inspired is finding a moment in time in which we become mentally stimulated to do something. However, inspiration holds a different meaning for each person, therefore it cannot be explained in plain words. But it can be shown through examples such as Ed Sheeran’s experience.

“I started watching a lot of artists such as Ed Sheeran and Jason Mraz who really inspired me to play guitar” Miguel Restrepo, Grade 11, said.

What is Inspiration?

The process of being mentally stimulated to do, or feel something, especially something creative, but is it really just a stimulation? Inspiration is a complex emotion as it isn’t the same for all people, some get mentally stimulated more than others. The majority get inspired by living a moment that shows you the prospect of something being possible, something that once seemed unattainable. It could be watching a musician they like, trying a chef’s food/watching them cook, or even watching an artist paint a masterpiece.  

“There are a lot of great pianists that I listen to that inspire me as I want to play like them such as Evgeny Kissin” Alejandro Escobar, Grade 11, said.

However, celebrities aren’t the only cause of inspiration, it’s a moment in time where you are mentally stimulated to do something, it can be while adventuring the wild, hanging out with friends, and many more.

“My main hobby is Jiu-Jitsu, the main reason I started doing Jiu-Jitsu was during a childish fight with my cousin, he did a super weird move and I thought it was cool and then I decided to try out jiu-jitsu,” Pablo Ospina, Grade 11, said.

Finding Inspiration

Psychologists Todd. M Thrash and Andrew. J Elliot noted 3 main qualities for inspiration: Evocation, Transcendence, and approach to motivation. So firstly, inspiration is evoked spontaneously without any hesitation, this can be by just watching one of your favorite celebrities and instantly being inspired/motivated.

“I saw them play and sing and I was inspired to play like them, I want to become more skilled with the guitar so I can play any song and start singing and playing together,” Restrepo said.

Second, transcendence often involves a moment of clarity and awareness of new possibilities, this is that moment that you realize that your goal is attainable. Finding the steps they took are fundamental for you to be inspired more. 

“It’s important because being able to see someone’s trajectory and the steps they took, shows you that you can start taking those steps too and that it is possible to get to that point,” Ospina said.

And finally, approach motivation, this is where you strive to transmit a new idea or vision. According to Thrash and Elliot, inspiration involves both being inspired by something and acting on that inspiration. 

“I chose my teacher as my role model instead of a famous fighter for the reason that I can compare myself and my progress with my teacher more often and efficiently compared to a professional fighter that is very distant,” Ospina said.

The Importance of Inspiration 

One reason inspiration is important is that finding new hobbies when not being inspired can be struggling. Inspiration’s been seen to allow people to be more open to new experiences. 

“Inspiration is really important, if it wasn’t for me getting inspired by artists to play again, I wouldn’t have touched my guitar,” Restrepo said.

Another reason inspiration is important is that it gives people a stronger drive to master their work, while also increasing their overall satisfaction levels. It may seem like a drag at first, however, it is highly recommended that you start as soon as possible. 

“If you like something with a passion, start acting on it now or you will never do it,” Restrepo said.

“Have a clear goal with your hobby, find and watch various people doing your hobby until you find someone that inspires you” Escobar said

Works Cited:

Wooditch, Bill. “Get Inspired – The Psychology Behind It.” Bill Wooditch, 17 Nov. 2018, billwooditch.com/get-inspired-psychology-behind/.

Kaufman, Scott Barry. “Why Inspiration Matters.” Harvard Business Review, 23 July 2014, hbr.org/2011/11/why-inspiration-matters#:~:text=role%20of%20inspiration.-,Inspiration%20awakens%20us%20to%20new%20possibilities%20by%20allowing%20us%20to,because%20of%20its%20elusive%20nature.

“Ed Sheeran.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 31 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sheeran#:~:text=He%20was%20also%20inspired%20by,home%20and%20started%20writing%20songs.