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Ask HN: Remedy for sagging inspiration?

5 points by boggles ↗ HN
When you're working on something and just start to feel, what's the point? Is this going anywhere? Will anyone care? Should I just give up?

What do you do to stay inspired?

Do you read something?

Do you have some kind of ritual to get you back on track?

Any inspiration secrets?

I'm having a pretty low day today and could use some hopeful advice.

3 comments

[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 18.7 ms ] thread
edw519
Everyone has low days. When I do, I just power down and do something else.

I can't imagine letting a low day discourage me. My work is way too important for that.

If you ever think "What's the point," "Is this going anywhere?" "Will anyone care?" or "Should I just give up?", that tells me that you're not sure about how important your project is. Get sure. Is it too important to let a few speed bumps discourage you? Decide. If it's that important, then get back to work. If not, do something else. There's no in between.

jcw
Are you just burnt out? When you're low on inspiration, taking a day to do everything but work can do wonders. Get out the house, see some friends.
rit
Tune out for awhile. I find shutting out everything I normally do (like watching TV, playing games, and especially anything work related) for a day or two, and reading a book helps a lot.

If you need to, step away from your normal environment too. In general I find that breaking away from what I'd do "normally" really works best to reset my brain. Your mileage may vary, but give it a try. Go to a park, bring a book and lunch and just disconnect.