There is no creativity in a vacuum. The key to creative output is creative input. INSPIRATION is the essential raw material from which new ideas can manifest.

But how do you replenish this divine imaginary well? Do you pray to the gods of inspiration? Do you just sit around staring at the blank page waiting patiently (or anxiously) for *something* to dawn on you? No. Of course not. Eureka moments don’t work like that.

While it is possible to be inspired by completely ordinary or innocuous things, the fact is that common activities of daily life are hardly a fruitful source of inspiration for people whose livelihood involves creativity. Inspiration exists literally everywhere and its sources are as varied as humanly imaginable, but some things are certainly richer than others.

For artists, designers, writers, and all measure of creative professional, it is essential to actively and deliberately seek out inspiration; to seek out new and exciting experiences; to seek to be stimulated on both conscious and subconscious levels.

Here are some of the most sure-fire places to go in search of granules of creative potential:

1. The Mall.

This is by far the easiest place to access inspiring things. Malls are everywhere, and they are all on a personal mission to be au courant. Since malls exist as these hubs catering to the fashionable and on-trend, they are a constantly replenished source. You will see all new storefront displays, the colors of the season, brilliant packaging, innovative materials, and more. There are fragrances, textures, music, and even plenty of people-watching to take in.

My personal favorite are the most upscale shopping destinations. No expense is spared by the major fashion houses to make their in-store experience seriously epic. They employ sophisticated storytelling to bring to life their brands and the current collection. Many people don’t realize just how deep fashion collections can be, but believe me, these designers don’t just assemble pretty frilly things on a rack. There is a lot more behind this skillfully fabricated square footage than meets the eye. It is not necessary to fully understand the cultural statement behind why insert-luxury-brand-here has so much of XYZ in the new line to be inspired by it, although delving a bit deeper can unleash all new dimensions.

Here in Miami, I’m lucky to have the Miami Design District, Bal Harbor Shops, and Brickell City Centre. I’m just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Maison Martin Margiela, Agent Provocateur, Alexander McQueen, Dior, Fendi, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. But equally inspiring are the malls for common folk. They have a louder buzz and you can literally see and hear what makes real people tick.

2. Museums.

Unlike shopping malls, museums don’t have quite as much turnover in the exhibits, but they do offer more than enough to feed a hungry creative mind. In addition to rotating exhibits which can keep you coming back for more, a museum’s permanent collection comes with the added bonus of in-house experts who are always eager to discuss the work. Schedule some time to go on a guided tour with a docent or the curator and you will learn new things about pieces you thought you already knew. There is something about just being in a museum that is inherently inspiring, too. There’s something in the air that helps prime you and open your mind. It can be a great way to spend just a couple of hours before going on to another activity.

3. The Internet.

Unlike the mall or museums where you’re not driving the experience, the Internet is yo bitch. If you want to see pictures of crown molding, Pinterest will deliver an endless supply of the most mind blowing pictures you’ve ever feasted your eyes on with their infinite scrolling. You want to learn more about the life of the British royal family? Google has literally billions of hits. Curious about coconut oil uses? YouTube has plenty of DIYs with more added each second. The Internet also has tons of interesting tangents it can lead you to. But be warned: The one big problem with the Internet is it will always tell you what you want to hear. Even if you have to jump to page 8 of the search results, Google will by-design undoubtedly give you exactly what you seek. It’s important to remember that it is those things outside of what you already know or enjoy that are most likely be rich in inspiration.

4. Travel.

Jump on an airplane to anywhere and watch the floodgates of inspiration open right up. The novelty of every little thing around you – from the language to the street signs, from the weather to the foliage, to candy wrappers and flavors – all heighten your senses and you become more observant and perceptive to your surroundings. All of this sensitivity culminates in healthy creative energy. In our daily lives we often aren’t as attentive or become downright blind to our routine environments. Just think about how many more photos you take when you go on a trip. Near or far, traveling is for sure one of the richest sources of inspiration available.

5. Mother Nature.

Two words: Sacred Geometry. This is the idea that every detail of our universe is governed by shapes that exist in divine relationships with each other. The harmonious ratios seen in the forms of the natural world make up patterns we observe in many creative endeavors. These “sacred” proportions inspired countless architects, artists, thinkers, and scientists.

Distancing yourself from the hustle and bustle of your Instagram feed can free you up to observe sacred patterns all around you, along with the colors, sounds, and smells of nature. Compare the undersides of different leaves. Take in the radiance of the sunset. Stare off into the horizon. Mother Nature is infinite and divine. Notice the tiniest little bugs and pebbles. You can go on a nature walk or bike trek, but you can also just stop to observe how a potted plant has tilted to catch the sun.