1. You

Okay, I don’t even think this show is particularly well-written. It is clearly written by a bunch of frustrated English majors who are stuck writing a trashy show. (Not that there is anything wrong with that. To be honest, it is #goals.) I started the show thinking I would hate watch it. Then I couldn’t stop watching. Now I am obsessed with analyzing how the show makes a stalker sympathetic and what techniques the writers use to draw the viewer in. It has gotten to the point where Netflix is asking me if I want to keep watching. The answer is YES. 

2. Oscar-Nominated Animated Shorts

I know I’ve talked about this before, but shorts are the best. They are absolutely perfect studies of how to tell a story in a short amount of time. Often without words. 

3. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

I am not done so NO SPOILERS, but this book is amazing. Anything Leigh Bardugo writes is absolutely genius. She has an incredible writing style, imaginative world, and my favorite character of all time. If you haven’t read her work, get to it ASAP. 

4. OutKast

I was reminded of how much I loved them when Big Boi was the only good thing about the Superbowl halftime show. They were absolutely innovative with their music and have some of my favorite lines in music (“you can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather”). They make me feel brave enough to take creative risks like them.

5. D.C. 

Okay, D.C. is always inspiring. There is something about the energy of the city. It reminds me of the line from Bruce Springsteen: “When I walk down the street, I can feel its heartbeat.” Whenever I am in D.C., I feel energized and refreshed. I am obsessed with the new faces and fast pace. 

How about you? What is inspiring you right now?