Who or what inspires you? Fascinates you? Makes you want to createcreatecreate until you fall asleep in a pile of fabric scraps or seed beads or bobbins?

As spring hits, it’s hard not to be inspired, but what if all those budding flowers leave you listless and blank?

Lately I’ve been returning to some of my old standbys for when I’m feeling less than artistic, in case you’re feeling blue, here are a few recommendations:

1. Take a walk with your camera. Don’t take any photos of anything bigger than, say, your fist. Zoom in on tiny things. Kneel down to change your perspective. Look at all those things you don’t normally see. Alternatively, take pictures of only one thing along your walk (the ground, birds, roadkill, trash).

2. Listen to instrumental music. Normally I listen to music with words, and this forces me to hear the difference between the notes and pay attention to the types of instruments being played. Instead of focusing on the lyrics, my mind wanders with the notes. (I especially recommend Sigur Ros.)

3. If you’re stuck inside by a computer, go to Technorati and search for topics that you want to know more about. You’re likely to find someone who thinks a lot like you and who can challenge you to view your favorite subjects in a new light.

4. Just because you’re inside doesn’t mean you can’t plan where you want to go once you’re outside. (Lonely Planet makes me want to plan elaborate vacations I can’t afford, but also allows me to think outside of my own cultural identity.

5. Read the paper of an opposing political slant, depending on your political views. Sometimes I get so trapped in my little liberal bubble that I forget for a minute what I’m fighting for and/or working towards.

6. Focus on one of your senses. This was something I did a lot in grad school and an exercise that I love doing. It was amazing what new ideas I had for projects when I concentrated on the way the city smelled or felt or sounded. It opened countless narratives whenever I was feeling uncreative.

7. Sit still with your eyes closed. (Be careful, lying down tends to make you fall asleep!) Call it meditating. Call it thinking. Call it what you will. Just sit down for five minutes and clear your mind (I actually use the mantra “clear (inhale) mind (exhale)”). This is especially effective when your mind is everywhere but on your creativity. Listen to your breath and wipe the slate clean so you can make new things instead of worrying about old things.