--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where do you get your ideas? people ask…" description: "\"Where do you get your ideas? people ask. Sometimes they’re at the bottoms of cups of tea. Sometimes they’re lurking in my shower. Sometimes they’re wai..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/erin-morgenstern-806_bottom_where-do-you-get-your-ideas-people-ask-s_1604716.jpg" --- # Where do you get your ideas? people ask. Sometimes they’re… ![“Where do you get your ideas? people ask. Sometimes they’re at the bottoms of cups of tea. Sometimes they’re lurking in my shower. Sometimes they’re waiting patiently in glass cases in museums.” quote by Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/erin-morgenstern-806_bottom_where-do-you-get-your-ideas-people-ask-s_1604716.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/erin-morgenstern-806_bottom_where-do-you-get-your-ideas-people-ask-s_1604716.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/erin-morgenstern-806_bottom_where-do-you-get-your-ideas-people-ask-s_1604716.jpg) > “Where do you get your ideas? people ask. Sometimes they’re at the bottoms of cups of tea. Sometimes they’re lurking in my shower. Sometimes they’re waiting patiently in glass cases in museums.” [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ideas emerge from everyday moments, often hidden in mundane places like tea cups, showers, or museum displays. **In simple terms:** Ideas can be found in ordinary, unexpected places. Key Takeaway Observe daily life for inspiration. Themes creativity observation inspiration mundane hidden sources Mood curious inquisitive Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - writing sessions - product design - problem solving Key Concepts mindfulness creative process serendipity Questions to Reflect On - Where do you notice hidden ideas? - How can you capture fleeting inspiration? A Different Perspective Not all ideas are profound; some may be fleeting. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Museums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/museums/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Waiting Patiently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting-patiently/) ## Related quotes > [Sir, I did not count your glasses of wine, why should you number up my cups of tea?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/sir-i-did-not-count-your-glasses-of-wine-why-should-you-number-up-my/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [According to my daughters, my most irritating habit is asking for cups of tea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/according-to-my-daughters-my-most-irritating-habit-is-asking-for-cups/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Talk and tea is his specialty," said Giles. "He has about five cups of tea a day. But he works splendidly when we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/talk-and-tea-is-his-specialty-said-giles-he-has-about-five-cups-of/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [ \[from The One and Only Official Mr. Gum Official Glossary That Tells You What Words Mean by Explaining Them Using Other Words\] : Cups… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanton/from-the-one-and-only-official-mr-gum-official-glossary-that-tells/) Andy Stanton > [You must not refuse any additional cups of tea under the following circumstances: if it is hot; if it is cold; if you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/you-must-not-refuse-any-additional-cups-of-tea-under-the-following/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [The Story of My Life is drinking cups of tea, eating coco pops and playing Playstation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-tomlinson/the-story-of-my-life-is-drinking-cups-of-tea-eating-coco-pops-and/) [Louis Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-tomlinson/) > [I drink about 30 cups of tea a day. I'm a complete tea addict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-drink-about-30-cups-of-tea-a-day-i-m-a-complete-tea-addict/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [In 'Three Cups of Tea' I was fairly critical of the military. And I mentioned that they're laptop warriors and there's no boots on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-mortenson/in-three-cups-of-tea-i-was-fairly-critical-of-the-military-and-i/) [Greg Mortenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-mortenson/) > [Perhaps there can be too much making of cups of tea, I thought, as I watched Miss Statham filling the heavy teapot. 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I should have declined, if only because of how she smells,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrik-groen/mrs-visser-has-invited-me-in-for-a-cup-of-tea-tomorrow-afternoon-i/) [Hendrik Groen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrik-groen/) > [By the way, although the subtitle of the book "Three Cups of Tea" is "fighting terror, one school at a time", that was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-mortenson/by-the-way-although-the-subtitle-of-the-book-three-cups-of-tea-is/) [Greg Mortenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-mortenson/) > [Normally I will have five or six cups of tea a day, and if I can have them poured from a teapot, then all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-logan/normally-i-will-have-five-or-six-cups-of-tea-a-day-and-if-i-can-have/) [Phyllis Logan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-logan/) > [“Then you have tea for breakfast; then you have tea at eleven o’clock in the morning; then after lunch; then you have tea for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mikes/then-you-have-tea-for-breakfast-then-you-have-tea-at-eleven-o-clock/) [George Mikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mikes/) > [If I didn't write sex scenes, all my characters would head to the kitchen and make cups of tea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-winter/if-i-didn-t-write-sex-scenes-all-my-characters-would-head-to-the/) [Michael Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-winter/) ## More by Erin Morgenstern > [They are enthusiasts, devotees. Addicts. Something about the circus stirs their souls, and they ache for it when it is absent. They seek each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/they-are-enthusiasts-devotees-addicts-something-about-the-circus/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“The Burgess sisters arrive together. Tara and Lainie do a little bit of everything. Sometimes dancers, sometimes actresses. Once they were librarians, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/the-burgess-sisters-arrive-together-tara-and-lainie-do-a-little-bit/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“Bedtime stories Eventide Rhapsodies Anthologies of Memory Please enter cautiously and feel free to open what is closed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/bedtime-stories-eventide-rhapsodies-anthologies-of-memory-please/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“When all of this is over, no matter which one of us wins, I will not let you go so easily. Agreed?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/when-all-of-this-is-over-no-matter-which-one-of-us-wins-i-will-not/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“Even the ground beneath his feet feels unsatisfying to his boots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/even-the-ground-beneath-his-feet-feels-unsatisfying-to-his-boots/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“Why haven’t you asked me how I do my tricks?” Celia asks, once they have reached the point where she is certain he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/why-haven-t-you-asked-me-how-i-do-my-tricks-celia-asks-once-they-have/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [And there are really never endings, happy or otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/and-there-are-really-never-endings-happy-or-otherwise/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [I binge write. I think it's because I started seriously writing by participating in National Novel Writing Month, an online-based challenge to write 50,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/i-binge-write-i-think-it-s-because-i-started-seriously-writing-by/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [I have absurdly vivid dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/i-have-absurdly-vivid-dreams/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [I made a wish on this tree years ago," Marco says. "What did you wish for?" Bailey asks. Marco leans forward and whispers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/i-made-a-wish-on-this-tree-years-ago-marco-says-what-did-you-wish-for/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“He reads histories and mythologies and fairy tales, wondering why it seems that only girls are ever swept away from their mundane lives on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/he-reads-histories-and-mythologies-and-fairy-tales-wondering-why-it/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“Behind him, the sheep, left to their own devices, decide to wander through the open gate into the field beyond.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/behind-him-the-sheep-left-to-their-own-devices-decide-to-wander/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [Marco moves to close the distance between them, kissing away her tears before catching her lip with his own. As he kisses her, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/marco-moves-to-close-the-distance-between-them-kissing-away-her-tears/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [“«Importa más ser que parecer.»”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/importa-m-s-ser-que-parecer/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [And before he can tell her to tell Widget goodbye for him if need be, she leans forward and kisses him, not on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/and-before-he-can-tell-her-to-tell-widget-goodbye-for-him-if-need-be/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) [Explore all 339 Erin Morgenstern quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) ## More Bottom quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Filmmaking, like sex, isn't a polite enterprise. 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I can’t do Moonlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-o-loughlin/i-plead-with-my-moonlight-fans-to-give-this-show-a-chance-if-they-let/) [Alex O'Loughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-o-loughlin/) > [Well, the bottom line is that I'm extremely pleased with 'The Stupids.' I'm pleased that it's coming out, and it should look good. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-landis/well-the-bottom-line-is-that-i-m-extremely-pleased-with-the-stupids-i/) [John Landis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-landis/) > [Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/search-for-the-seed-of-good-in-every-adversity-master-that-principle/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [I would have had a clause in my contract; I would've definitely put some fine print in my contract that said, "If the president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-would-have-had-a-clause-in-my-contract-i-would-ve-definitely-put/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [When I hit bottom, I can attack the problem and get to where I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/when-i-hit-bottom-i-can-attack-the-problem-and-get-to-where-i-want-to/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [If I had lost the popular vote but won the electoral college and in my first day as president the intelligence community came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-i-had-lost-the-popular-vote-but-won-the-electoral-college-and-in/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The bottom line, in the professional level, no matter where you go, there's going to be competition. That's what it is. 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