I have always had a love for writing poetry. For about four years I committed to it fully and discovered so much about the art of words. There is the traditional textbook way of writing poems and then there is the freer heart led style of prose and free verse which is where my voice feels most alive.

For me poetry is not about fitting into constructs. It is about letting words move freely, becoming puzzles that piece together my innermost thoughts and emotions. It is about connecting, being vulnerable without feeling exposed, and celebrating the enchanting nature of expression. That is why I even created a whole poetry book to build community and share words with others searching for that same comfort.

Finding inspiration is not always simple. For me it has come from personal life lessons, movies, music, friendships, and even the tiniest details of everyday life. I have learned that even the most ordinary things can hold extraordinary meaning if you are willing to look closely.

Someone who captures this spirit beautifully is Lostmememoriespoetry. She is a poet and writer who has built an inspiring community online with over 13, 000 Instagram followers, two published poetry books on Amazon, and a course teaching others how to create and share their own. Her work is a mix of vulnerability and strength, honesty and imagination, and she has a gift for finding poetry in the small moments many of us overlook.

I had the chance to connect with her, and since the UK poetry scene feels so small, it made our conversation even more special. I asked her how she continues to find inspiration and what keeps her creativity flowing, her answers are as insightful as her words.

1. Where do you usually look when you are stuck and cannot find inspiration to write?

Lostmemoriespoetry: If I don’t have inspiration to write, I simply won’t write. I believe we all need to rest and refresh our minds before we start writing. The best thoughts are those that come from deep within, and if we can’t find them in that moment, we must allow them to rise to the surface in their own time. I don’t push myself to write; I need to be motivated. If I’m feeling too heavy and my heart simply can’t take it anymore, I’ll step away from writing rather than strive for more. My heart values rest.

2. Do you believe poetry should follow rules or is it better to let words flow freely?

Lostmemoriespoetry: No! Poetry has zero rules, that’s the beauty of it. I encourage everyone to write poetry; it’s incredibly therapeutic and releases so much pressure from the mind. If you’re having a bad day, write poetry. If you’re having an amazing day, write poetry. Everything and anything can be turned into poetry. There are no rules to follow, just lines and words.

3. What role does vulnerability play in your writing process?

Lostmemoriespoetry:  I am incredibly vulnerable with my writing, and that’s what makes it so beautiful. Vulnerability plays a huge role in bringing my lines together. If I’m not being vulnerable enough, I don’t think my writing would mean as much as it does. You’ll find pieces of me in every corner of my work. The more vulnerable, the better, that’s what helps my mind escape those daunting thoughts.

4. How do you balance writing for yourself versus writing for an audience?

Lostmemoriespoetry:  Everything I write, I write for an audience. My Instagram is my home, and everything I create deserves a home there. I used to write poetry and hide it away,  I was scared to give it a title and show it off. I was scared it wasn’t good enough, and that fear held me back. As soon as I started posting and sharing my work, I became more myself. I love allowing other writers to connect with my words and people to relate to them, that’s what keeps me going.

5. What advice would you give someone who feels like their life is not interesting enough to write poetry about?

Lostmemoriespoetry:  Every single life is worth it. At the end of the day, we are all the same — same blood, same organs — only living in different ways, and that’s okay. You wake up, make a coffee, tea, hot chocolate or any drink you enjoy,  you can write about it. You can write about anything: how the clouds look in the sky, how your bed covers are a little messy this morning. Poetry can be created through almost everything you do, in the most ordinary of things. The simpler, the better. Don’t try to make your life more complicated to write poetry,  it’s perfect just the way it is, and that’s enough.

Find lostmemoriespoetry on instagram and check out her digital guide on how to publish a book. 

Anu Aborisade