An Introvert’s Treasure Hunt For Writing Inspiration

Because some days you don't want to go outside.

Nov 18, 2025

What is this elusive thing called “writing inspiration”???

I had plenty of it on the weekend; however, I also had plenty of life stuff getting in the way of all my drafts that needed tweaking and brain power. Hence this post.

I thought it might be fun to prompt others to get creative and possibly give you something new to write about.

Maybe we can even educate each other a little.

The Prompt

Start by looking around your home for unique items with interesting stories behind them. Tell us where they came from and what they mean to you.

Choose five items, set up a photo shoot, and let’s do this thing. It’s not like you have anything better to do at the moment, right?

My Treasure Hunt

My Passports

These will always remain the nearest and dearest of inanimate objects I own. The three at the bottom are my expired five-year passports, which represent the beginnings and the bulk of my travel life dating back to 2003. There are more than 40 stamps in those three passports.

The top passport in the photo is my current 10-year one. It’s very clean and pristine compared to the other three because I got it in 2019, just before the pandemic. Although it does have plenty of New Orleans dirt all over it. 😁

Speaking of New Orleans

Those are the infamous Mardi Gras beads. The ones I swore I’d never seek out on my trip, but instead they found me.

I wasn’t in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, though. I was there for the Jazz Festival, so the streets were just as chaotic. I obtained these beads from two strange men in the street and ended up dancing the night away with one of them.

The rest of the story is mine to keep, but I’m sure these beads have a good amount of NOLA dirt on them, too.

Signs of Torture?

The coffee mug in the photo has been with me for at least 25 years. I’ve never sipped a drop of coffee or tea from it, but I’ve always hung onto it because of its uniqueness.

An old college friend of mine brought it back from Prague as a gift for me, and the only stories I remember hearing about her trip were of torture museums. Apparently, Prague has a few of them and the idea of torture museums mystified me.

Looking at that mug only makes me think about the poor little guy hanging off the edge, maybe trying to climb out of the dark pits of hell. What other reason could there be?

Day of the Dead

I’m obsessed with masks representing Dia de los Muertos, or, in English, “Day of the Dead.” This holiday, mainly celebrated in Mexico, honors the dead with lively celebrations and festivals.

I’m obsessed with the artwork on these painted masks.

For the life of me, I can’t remember where I got this mask, but it wasn’t in Mexico because I’ve never been there. Since I’ve had it, it has been on prominent display in my living room. The red flower in the center became the decor accent color for most of my living space.

My First Major Print Magazine

These magazines run a close second to my passports in terms of sentimental value. They contain my most notable and well-paid published works. I can’t decide which was the bigger thrill—the story behind how I got the job or seeing my name and author bio printed inside.

In 2012, I was reviewing a posh villa in Negril, Jamaica. I had met a travel photographer who was on assignment in the same location. We were the only two people staying on the property at the time. Naturally, we ended up dining together and chatting about what brought us there.

Our meeting turned out to be serendipitous. He provided me with direct contact info for the publishing company he was working with and told me to try reaching out to them.

After contacting the publisher using his name, the deal was sealed, and I was contracted to write several segments for the 2013 publication — the first of several annual issues I subsequently wrote.

It’s funny how stars align when they’re supposed to. 💫

That concludes my installment of the introvert’s treasure hunt. I hope you found a glimpse into my personal life entertaining!

If you feel inclined, follow the same prompt and create your own treasure hunt project. I’d love to catch a glimpse of your life and times based on unique items in your home.

Please tag me if you decide to follow this prompt. I don’t want to miss it!