Need Inspiration? Try These 12 Netflix Documentaries

My day’s about to end, and I’ve done nothing but read.

But I tell myself kindly: That’s ok, at least I’m learning. I feel lazy and uninspired, maybe I can take some time to chill. But I’ve probably learned so much already, and it’s time to take action. So I’ll slowly bring myself to work. I can start slowly, just to build momentum. After all, it’s my job. And part of the work process is to gather inspiration. Ready?

I wrote this list with writers in mind. But if you’re a creative whose work also depends highly on generating ideas and inspiration — you’re in the right page.

If you’re a fan of documentaries, then you’ll probably find this list familiar.

Well, I enjoy rewatching films. I often catch things I missed the first time. And it helps me contemplate on what I learned. So if you’ve seen all these, maybe you can try rewatching too.

I promise at least one of three things:

• You will be inspired
• You will learn
• You will get ideas

Wow, you actually read my intro. I wish I could hug you! But we need that inspiration ASAP, so let’s get started.

1. Explained

This is only the first one, but we already have 30 more options. It’s a docuseries created by one my favorite news sites, Vox, covering different topics such as:

• Why Women Are Paid Less
• K-Pop
• Billionaires
• Why Diets Fail
• Weed
• Can We Live Forever?

You can check more topics here.

One episode is just about 20 minutes. I haven’t even watched all of it, but every episode I’ve seen leaves me enlightened.

2. The Mind, Explained

It’s another Vox docuseries, but focused on how the brain works. It has 5 episodes:

• Memory
• Dreams
• Anxiety
• Mindfulness (I recommend this!)
• Psychedelics

And in case you can’t get enough of these Explained shows:

• Sex, Explained
• Coronavirus, Explained
• Whose Vote Counts, Explained

Wait, we’re only at #2 in the list? It’s really not just 12 shows, but we need this. So hang in there.

3. 100 Humans

If you’re looking for some good laughs, this one’s for you.

Its description says:

“One hundred hardy souls from diverse backgrounds participate in playful experiments exploring age, sex, happiness, and other aspects of being human.”

Here are the 7 episode titles:

• What Makes Us Attractive?
• The Best Age to Be Alive
• Let’s Talk About Sex
• Are You Biased?
• Pain vs. Pleasure
• How to Be Happy
• Can You Trust Your Senses?
• Ask a Human (what’s proper toilet etiquette?)

Probably my most recommended show among the list, because you’ll learn and have fun at the same time. And it’s very relatable.

4. Street Food: Asia

Highly recommended if you like learning about culture!

WARNING: It will make you want to travel.

But please, as much as possible — let’s stay home.

There’s also Street Food: Latin America. I haven’t watched it, so now that’s added to my bucketlist.

5. The Great Hack

This one’s a full documentary film — 1h 54m long. It’s quite technical, and I find it hard to explain.

So I’ll explain it poorly: basically how Trump won through social media.

It’s not the happy kind of inspiration, but it can give you ideas. I’m here hoping to share mostly good vibes, so let’s move on to the next.

6. Our Planet

Not your typical nature documentary.

I can’t stress enough how visually stunning it is. And did I mention the extremely cute animals?

But it’s so much more than that. This will get you talking.

7. Abstract: The Art of Design

Recommended if you’re looking to explore other forms of art. Or design, to be specific. Its description says:

“Step inside the minds of the most innovative designers in a variety of disciplines and learn how design impacts every aspect of life.”

• Platon: Photography
• Paula Scher: Graphic Design
• Ilse Crawford: Interior Design
• Ian Spalter: Digital Product Design

Check more episodes here.

8. Inside Bill’s Brain

I’m aware a lot of people don’t like Bill Gates. I’m not sure why.

Feel free to enlighten me, but I love his vision. (And Melinda Gates!) Vision inspires me, so I hope this helps you too.

Friends, it’s Bill Gates. I’m not sure if I even need to explain why he’s inspiring.

What do you think? *winks*

9. The Social Dilemma

Another one about negative impacts of social networking. But this time it’s focused on the people who created it. Thoughts from the former executives of Google, Facebook, Twitter — name it.

I swear, many times in my life I’ve wanted to be free from social networking sites. We all know it can get toxic.

But hey, it does many good things too. We can make the best out of it.

Clearly, it’s also not the the happy kind. Some points there suggest deleting your profiles. I didn’t delete my socials, but it inspires me to take action.

Maybe, like me, you’ll realize a thing or two on how you can make the internet a safer place — at least for you, for now.

10. Interior Design Masters

This might be a bit niche. If you’re not into interior design, and you’ve run out of shows to watch— just try the first episode.

This show is a competition, so the people you’ll watch are hopeful, motivated, and determined. I think that’s contagious.

11. Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things

After watching this, I became a minimalist wannabe.

It was life changing for me. I became more conscious about what I buy and what I do. I started to get a deeper understanding of what’s important to me.

It can only either inspire you or it won’t. This is also niche, but all the more a reason to express your ideas.

Like, can minimalism really make your life better?

12. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

I believe that minimalism isn’t focused on throwing away things, but on making space for what’s important. I learned that in this series.

This is also niche. But again, you’ll have something you may want to talk about. (Or it can just get you suddenly organizing everything, like I did.)

Either way, I believe it’s inspiring.

Especially now that we’re all stuck at home, it’s a good time to contemplate and assess if our new “office space” makes us feel good.

Conclusion

That’s it, friends! I won’t make this long. Time to find inspiration!

If you have suggestions to add in this list, feel free to comment. Let us know what you think!

Thanks for your time!

My name is Enne, and I do graphic design + photography.

Can I help you with my skills? 😊 See my work here.