The Art of Awakening: How Nature Can Inspire Creativity
Ice covered trees; with Daisy Doodle bounding through the snow.
My winter hibernation is coming to an end—finally!!! I have even been seen walking outside lately. This season has been intense, with lots of below-freezing weather, icy rain, snow, and slush covering everything here in Baltimore. Most days, the only reason I even stepped outside was to walk my dog, Daisy, who was just as eager as I was to scurry back inside. My creativity has felt much like the weather—a bit frozen, sluggish, and uninspired. But now, as the world outside starts to stir, I can feel something inside me waking up, too.
Being in nature is my favorite way to reconnect with my spirit and rekindle that creative spark. I watch for the tiniest changes—the first buds appearing on the branches, the bright green tips of crocuses poking through the damp earth. It all feels like a quiet whisper, a reminder that life is stirring beneath the surface. When I see these first signs of spring, I can't help but think of secret worlds—the kind where fairies flutter between mossy roots, and something magical is always happening just out of sight.
Why Nature Fuels Creativity
I truly believe that nature has a way of breathing life back into us, especially after months of feeling creatively stuck. There’s something about the colors, textures, and patterns of the natural world that spark fresh ideas in ways nothing else can. It’s no wonder so many artists, poets, and thinkers throughout history have drawn inspiration from the outdoors.
Photo by Ingrid McCoy
Snowdrops (Galanthus Nivalis) popping up among the Creeping Charlie (Glechoma Hederacea) and Chickweed (Stellaria Media) in the woods of Linthicum Walks, one of Daisy’s and my favorite places to explore.
Here are a few ways nature reawakens creativity for me:
A Change in Perspective – Stepping outside shifts my energy. Even a short walk through the neighborhood or a visit to a local park helps me see things differently. (Need proof? Try bringing a sketchbook or camera on your next walk and challenge yourself to capture something new.)
Color & Light Inspiration – The soft pastels of early spring, the bright yellows of daffodils, the deep greens after a rainstorm… Nature’s color palettes are endless sources of inspiration for painting, design, and photography.
Mindfulness & Stillness – Slowing down to observe nature—a bird building a nest, raindrops clinging to petals, the way light filters through tree branches—draws me into the present moment. And in that stillness, ideas begin to flow again.
Symbolism & Storytelling – Spring itself is a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and transformation. Sometimes, simply witnessing this shift makes me reflect on my own life and creative work.
Simple Ways to Reawaken Creativity Through Nature
Feeling a little creatively stuck? Here are a few simple ways to let nature help:
🌿 Go on an “Artist’s Walk” – Take a slow, mindful walk and notice small details: patterns in tree bark, reflections in puddles, shadows stretching across sidewalks. Try not “doing” anything except taking in sights, smells, and sounds as you walk. This is the perfect way to replenish and nurture your soul after a long winter. Consider making this a daily practice.
🌱 Start a Nature Journal – Collect leaves, flowers, or interesting textures, and document them through sketches, watercolors, or pressed into a journal. (Need inspiration? Check out The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling here).
📸 Take a Photo Challenge – Capture the signs of spring unfolding around you—first blooms, birds returning, light shifting. Use these as inspiration for your nature journaling, color palette, or story.
🖌 Create an Earth-Inspired Mood Board – Find natural objects that resonate with you (a smooth stone, a feather, a petal), then use them to inspire a new creative project. (Check out these amazing nature-based landscape sculptors here).
🎧 Listen to Nature-Inspired Music – Music can transport us to different landscapes. I’ve put together a playlist of songs inspired by the outdoors—perfect for painting, writing, or daydreaming. (Check it out here!) Listen and add a song that makes you think of Spring to the playlist.
Cherry Blossoms at Ft. McHenry. Photo by Ingrid McCoy
Stepping into the Awakening
Just like the seasons, our creativity has cycles—times of stillness and times of growth. If you’ve been feeling uninspired, know that it’s natural. But as the earth stretches and awakens, you can, too.
I’d love to hear from you. “How does nature inspire your creativity?” Do you have a favorite place to recharge, or a ritual that helps you reconnect with the world around you? Drop a comment below — I’d love to swap ideas!
So if you’re looking for more ways to weave nature into your creative life, start with a simple walk and investigate what’s right outside your own door step. Stay tuned for my next journaling session.
Peace,
Inga 🌿✨
