Hello, Beautiful Readers! I can’t believe we are already through most of July! You may have noticed that this is the first blog post that I’ve written all month. I took a much needed break and now I’m back giving you another installment of my Editor’s Notes Series. For this installment, I thought it would be fitting to talk about creative rest.
This post is inspired by an article I read about the 7 types of rest that every person needs. I found it so interesting, because before I read this article, the only rest I primarily focused on was getting physical rest. However, when I look back, I am realizing that the reason why Physical rest never felt like I was truly recovered is because there were other forms of rest that I needed more of. After reading this article, I became aware of the rest that I needed to truly feel recovered and that was creative rest. From there, I told myself that I was going to take a creative break and see how I feel coming back. Now, I’m back, truly feeling rested, and ready to share what I’ve learned.
The Myth of Constant Creation
Constant creation has a lot of pros but there are a lot of cons that I feel that no one actually talks about. On the one hand, you’re building that skill and the habit of creating which can allow you to explore and uncover new parts of you. On the other hand you enter this constant state of always solving a problem. Creating at a high level is all about turning your idea into something that can be visualized. There’s a lot of steps that involve getting that idea from your head to the general public and while it can be beautiful and inspiring, it can also be time-consuming and difficult leaving yourself no time to recover and regroup. Constantly creating without allowing yourself to rest can lead to diminished quality, burn out, and a loss of the genuine joy that comes from the creative process. It’s important to recognize when you need to step back and allow yourself the space to breathe and recover.
What Creative Rest Actually Looks Like
Before taking a creative rest, I felt myself nearing the edge of burn out. I knew I had to take a step back to rest, step away, and recover. I also knew I needed to give myself as much time to recover and I felt myself finding decreased joy in creating and also decreased motivation to do much of anything. That’s how I knew I needed to take an intentional break to re-calibrate, regroup, and simply just turn my brain off. For me, creative rest looked like:
- Not creating any content
- No/Limited Scrolling on Social Media
- Taking some time off from my 9-5 job
These three things did wonders to relax my mind and my body and have allowed me to come back feeling more sure and more empowered than before.
Overcoming Rest Guilt
In a world that keeps moving even when you’re sleeping, it can be hard to not feel guilty about resting. Especially since as you’re taking a break, other people are still working. It can also feel that you’re not working towards your goals because you’re not making real progress towards them. One thing that I am really proud of myself for in this time of rest is that not once did I feel guilty. I think what helped me not feel guilty was:
- I stayed away from social media, so there wasn’t anyone I needed to compare myself to
- I knew I needed this break. There was no way that I could continue creating if I didn’t take this time.
- I focused on doing other things that I enjoyed
Part of what makes rest actually restful is when you honor the boundaries that you have set for yourself. There’s a reason why you knew you needed that rest and you have to honor it. Otherwise, you’re never going to truly get the rest that you need.
The Ripple Effects
Now that I am back to creating again, I feel a new energy and a new purpose. I feel a lot more level-headed, have so much clarity, and I’m excited to dive into everything again. I’ve learned that productivity goes beyond managing your time it really is about how you manage your energy. Moving forward, I plan on being even more intentional and self-aware so that I can prioritize rest while also still in active pursuit of my goals. Rest is a vital component of the creative process, not a deviation from it. By allowing ourselves these moments of respite, we’re actually investing in our future creative endeavors rather than hindering them.
Closing
As you continue on your creative journey, remember that rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. The most beautiful creations often emerge after periods of stillness and reflection. I hope my experience encourages you to honor your own need for creative rest without apology. Whether you’re a fellow creator, entrepreneur, or someone navigating the demands of daily life, know that stepping back isn’t stepping away. It’s preparing yourself to step forward with renewed purpose and passion. I’d love to hear how you incorporate rest into your creative process! Drop a comment below or reach out to me directly. Until next time, be gentle with yourself and remember that sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest.
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