Let me tell you something I have learned the hard way: inspiration does not always strike like lightning. Sometimes, it whispers from the corner of a TikTok video at 2 a.m. or hides inside a YouTube clip you randomly click on during a snack break. As someone who lives and breathes sketch comedy, I have come to realize that staying creatively fueled is not about waiting for the “perfect” idea to fall from the sky, it is about constantly feeding your imagination. And one of the best places to do that? Other creators.
Now, I am not just talking about other comedy creators. I mean creators of all types. Cooks, dancers, fashion designers, tech reviewers, even that guy who builds mini houses for frogs. There is something about watching someone else dive headfirst into their weird little niche with passion and creativity that fires up something inside me. It does not always translate directly into a sketch idea, but it gets the wheels turning. And in a world where content is flying at us 24/7, that spark is everything.
One thing I have started doing is following creators who are outside my usual lane. If you only surround yourself with voices that sound like yours, it is easy to start thinking in a creative bubble. But when you scroll past someone painting cosmic landscapes or training their parrot how to beatbox, suddenly your brain goes, “What if I made a sketch about a parrot who thinks it’s a DJ?” And just like that, you are back in the game. Creative inspiration is not always about direct connections. Sometimes it is about letting one idea bounce into another until something clicks.
When I do watch comedy content, I try to go deeper than just laughing (although laughing is important). I look at the structure of the joke. I notice the editing. I think about why something worked and how it was delivered. That kind of “active watching” helps me understand the rhythm of humor, not just the punchline. It also helps me break out of patterns when I feel like I am doing the same kind of sketch over and over.
I also keep a little system in place for when inspiration does strike. Every time I come across something that makes me react, whether it is a laugh, a “whoa,” or even a raised eyebrow, I save it. Does not matter if it is a fully produced short or just a 7-second facial reaction someone posted on Instagram. If it moves me in any way, it goes in the vault. Later, I will go through my saved folder and just absorb it. No pressure to create, just soaking in different tones, styles, and ideas. More often than not, something new bubbles up from that mental stew.
Another habit that helps me massively is interacting with creators I admire. Not in a “please notice me” way (although hey, sometimes it is cool when they do), but in a genuine, curious way. Leaving comments, sharing their work, or just reaching out with encouragement opens conversations. Those conversations often lead to unexpected ideas, either because of something they say or because bouncing thoughts off another person gives you that magical clarity that does not always show up when you are alone in your room, whispering lines into your phone mic.
And then there are trends. Trends are tricky. They can feel overwhelming; if you’re not jumping on every sound within 20 minutes of it going viral, you’re already behind. But I have found that using trends as a launchpad rather than a finish line is where the good stuff happens. Instead of asking, “How do I do this trend?” I ask, “What would my voice sound like inside this trend?” It is a way to stay connected to what is happening online without losing the parts of myself that make my comedy unique.
The biggest thing I try to remember is that inspiration is everywhere if I am open to it. It is not about copying what someone else is doing, it is about noticing the creative energy around me and letting it push me toward innovative ideas. It is about staying curious. Staying engaged. Staying open to the possibility that the next sketch idea might come from a cake decorating reel or a science explainer or someone ranting about their pet raccoon.
If you are a creator too, especially in comedy, you know how easy it is to burn out or feel like you have run out of gas. But if you shift the way you experience other creators’ content, from passive watching to active exploration, it becomes a well of inspiration you can come back to repeatedly.
So yes, next time you are scrolling, do not feel guilty about it. Watch with intention. Follow with curiosity. Engage with kindness. And remember that you’re part of a massive, ever-changing conversation of creators who are all trying to express something true, funny, and weird. Let them remind you how much fun this whole chaotic process can be.