The Modern-Day Muse: Can We Still Be Inspired by Love?

By Stella Violet

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Once upon a time, muses were exalted figures. Picasso had Dora Maar, F. Scott Fitzgerald had Zelda, and even in modern times, Josh Safdie had the iconic Julia Fox. All of these muses were symbols of grand, consuming love – a force that inspired some of history’s greatest art. But in a world of swipes, stories, and short attention spans, can love still serve as a muse? 

Or has the art of inspiration been replaced by doom scrolling? 

Modern love often feels fragmented, existing in bursts of texts and carefully curated snapshots. Instead of lingering or stolen glances, we have the dopamine hit of a “like” on our Instagram stories or a witty exchange in our DM’s. 

While technology has made connection more accessible, it has also diluted and discouraged Gen-Z in the pursuit of an epic romance. 

Still, there’s something undeniably poetic about modern relationships. The thrill of a late-night Facetime call, the intimacy of syncing up a shared playlist on Spotify, or the unspoken anticipation of a “seen” text turning into a reply. 

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Love, even in its digital form, retains its ability to inspire – though perhaps in subtler, less grandiose ways. 

In the digital age, we often encounter people who leave impressions as ephemeral as their Instagram stories. A brief conversation on a dating app or a chance meeting at a coffee shop might not lead to a lifelong romance, but it can still inspire. 

There’s a certain addiction to these fleeting connections – the “what if” that lingers even after the moment has passed. 

I once met someone during a night out, we left the party early and went to a nearby diner talking about our hopes and dreams until the sun came up. We didn’t exchange numbers or promises to keep in touch. Yet, I couldn’t stop thinking or writing about him in my diary for weeks. 

There was something about the impermanence of our encounter that felt uniquely poignant – as if its brevity made it more meaningful. Perhaps it’s the stories we’ll never finish that inspire us the most. 

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I think that love is less about the other person and more about what we can learn from it. And, philosophers like Plato agree. 

Plato saw love as a ladder – a journey from physical attraction to a higher appreciation of beauty and truth. In this sense, a muse is not just someone who inspires art, but someone who challenges us to see ourselves more clearly. 

Even in today’s chaotic dating world, love–or the idea of it–can serve as a mirror. Whether it’s the euphoric feeling of a new crush or the heartbreak of unrequited feelings, love forces us to confront desires, imperfections and capacity for adding a new person into our lives. 

And what is art if not a reflection of our inner truths?

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While the medium of inspiration may have changed, the essence of love as a muse remains timeless. Some of us may no longer write sonnets or paint portraits of our lovers, but we still do document them in subtler ways: a candid photo that lives in our camera rolls, a section in our notes app with half written love notes, or a playlist dedicated to our lover. 

In a way, modern love’s transience makes it all the more muse-worthy. Its uncertainty reminds us to savor moments, to create before they slip away. Perhaps the real challenge is not whether love can inspire us, but whether we’re willing to slow down and let it. 

As I write this, I’m thinking about all of the past romances that have inspired me – some who stayed, many who didn’t. They’re scattered across journal entries under my bed, songs I’ve written on my bathroom floor, and immortalized in various playlists. 

They didn’t all come into my life with some sort of grand gesture or epic declaration of love, but each left a spark that fueled something greater. 

So yes, love can still be a must. Not because it’s perfect or eternal, but because it’s imperfect, uncertain and profoundly human. In a world obsessed with convenience and speed, love reminds us to pause, feel, and create. 

And isn’t that the greatest story of all?