Noise-Canceling for the Mind

There’s no single way to get inspired as a creator. One of my favorites is watching the work of fellow creators. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are full of creative sparks — I use Instagram for reference and YouTube for learning. But as with all great things, there’s a line. Cross it, and you fall into a vortex that drains you instead of fueling you. You forget why you went looking for inspiration in the first place.

Inspiration is a spark — it lights the fire that fuels creation. It’s that first nudge to start making. But if you’re not paying attention, you can miss it. The spark often gets lost in the noise — and that noise usually takes two forms: distraction and intimidation.

In a world of infinite content, distraction is effortless. These platforms are designed to keep you scrolling. The longer you stay, the further you drift from actually creating. The trick is to look for a seed — a word, a color, a frame, a subject. Something small that helps you begin. Once you have it, step away. Without focus, you end up doomscrolling and further behind than when you started.

Then comes intimidation. Sometimes, seeing others’ work can make you feel small — like you’ll never reach that level. But there are no levels. Art isn’t a competition. No one can outdo your perspective just as you can’t outdo theirs. It’s art, not sport. There are no winners or losers, just creators.

Cancel the noise. Focus on the signal. Inspiration can come from anywhere. If social media leaves you distracted or discouraged, change the channel. I find sparks in movies, books, and moments of presence — especially during shoots. Sometimes, I forget I’m a creator altogether. That quiets my mind and protects it from noise. Yet even in that quiet, ideas collect in the background. And when I return to creating, they flow naturally — clear, calm, and finally audible.