Working in a reputable web agency adds glamor in your resume. It is also a privilege when you do not need to worry about your income, though there are times you may have doubled in your working hours unconditionally with the company's best interest in your heart (especially Saturdays and Sundays).

Your great commitment in sacrificing your time and skills are experiences that will be a great attribute to the next big firm that you planned to get into. You will be recognized in an industry party, you also enjoy meetings and partying with the higher society (people who pay your bosses so your bosses can pay you). As long as you are comfortable and happy, life will still be great. But bear in mind an unspoken fact, a brutal truth; your company have you in their asset temporarily, what asset do you have for yourself permanently? Glamor and respect, or is it? Whatever it is, the company have bought your time away.

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As you are reading this, you may already be toying with the idea of becoming a freelancer yourself. But part of you may be holding back because you are fearful of not having enough projects to sustain financially, handling monstrous clients and of course, the most crucial of all, the lack of inspiration.

However, as a freelancer, there are so much more privileges you can focus and leverage on. One of the most important privilege is:

the freedom of time.

The freedom of time, is priceless. If you are a stable freelancer, you do not have to battle with inevitable politics in the studio, you do not need to dread working in a space that doesn't belong to you. Oh, you know the smell of stale air on a Monday morning; let’s not get there.

The learning curve of an up and coming freelancer is so steep and exciting, because he takes on the role of a project manager, art director, designer and client servicing. While playing too many roles alone puts a strain in the procession of a project, creative juices turns stale too when the freelancer is having trouble dealing with deadlines. Many "freelancers" might have over committed themselves in project handling and neglected the real work of design. Generating fresh and creative ideas is what a designer is for! Can you manage?

When your inspiration has been compromised, there are ways which you can try, to get creative juices flowing back into the pipeline.

Here are some ideas we have compiled. What about yours?

Take an Evening Walk

Walking is fun and easy. Get away from your desk, and take evening walks. Be it walking in the park, or along the beach, evening walks work great for people. It is not only healthy; it also allows you spend soulful time with yourself. Your mind starts to wander off as you appreciate and enjoy the sound of waves, the chattering of birds, the breeze, the colors that make up the beautiful nature.

Bring along a small notebook for sketching or even documenting your thoughts. This creates a healthy balance between your body and mind, and releases the stress in you.

Bring out the Fashionista in you

Fashion is design. As web designers and developers, you are not boring geeks. Be daring, be experimental in your dressing. Take some time to play around with colors. See how you could look different in a different hairstyle or outfit. Of course don’t go overboard by scaring your clients off with your Halloween outfits. Not sure how to look good? Visit fashion web sites, turn on the television, walk down town or even people watch in at coffee joints. Notice the styles and colors that fit you. You may not get it right the first time, but once you grasp it, you could be the next fashionista among your friends!

Making an effort to dress up makes you feel good and it shows how conscientious you are with details. Good fashion sense gives you the opportunity to, perhaps strike a lasting impression. So before you step out of the house, look at yourself in the mirror again, and see what you can do to improve those T-shirts (obtained from free events) and jeans you are wearing.

Read about Art History

Did you know Art History is sexy? Ever thought what Medieval Art, Romanticism, Cubism or Neoclassicism are? Think Salvador Dali, Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Kandinsky, just to name a few. They are like our grandparents to the art we have today. The different forms of popular expression in visual culture – painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, film, architecture, mass media were shaped by these artists.

Reading about art history expands our knowledge about the verbal and written literacy. It helps us to think deeper about the roots of design and to rationalize the visuals we produce. Only by absorbing ourselves in art history, understanding it and linking the concepts to today’s work of art, is the most possible way to produce even better works during this century.

Visit the Museum

Museums contain the roots of the culture and heritage of your country. Most museums (especially the art museum) is often identified as a gallery where exhibits can be found. Museums provide inspiration through personal connections with visitors by engaging them in various activities. The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the American Association of Museums created SPARK, a powerful and emotional short film about humans, and the profound impact that Philadelphia museums and cultural institutions have on their and hearts and minds.

Music heals your soul

Music relaxes our minds. Playing a soothing song or tune, can stimulate your mind to recall about happy memories and transport you into faraway lands that you always dreamed about. Listening to your favourite tunes while working on your design, eases the tension, unclogs the mind and motivates your body to work well.

From time to time, keep a look out for your favourite bands or gigs that will be visiting your city or town, it would be great for you to experience it with a bunch of friends.

Say hello. Be social.

I know striking a conversation may be difficult for some; however, it is always important to keep your circle of friends wide. One of the disadvantages being a freelancer is that you lack colleagues. Lacking colleagues could also mean lacking conversation and outing activities. So always seize the opportunity to date your friends out. Going out to meet their friends or their circle of friends expands your social loop.

Learn to build rapport with them and telling them about your job, business or skills may help you to get projects down the pipeline. Certainly it is even better if you could participate in design communities and meet other fellow designers. It is always essential to speak to people in your industry and understand their point of view in design issues.

More Ideas?

Finding hobbies and other activities to stimulate your mind is crucial. It also adds so much more color to your life! What do you do when the juices just don't flow for you? Share them with us!