Sometimes our brains shut down. And this temporary closure, at times, turns into a complete hiatus. A complete creative blank. Despite the need to constantly create, the little blips in our mental activity can be a call to clear our to-do list so we can focus on one item—REST.
Clearing the Blank
Yes, you have to finish a million things before your launch. Sure, you’ve got a few hundred unread e-mails. Okay, you might need to make that client call by tomorrow. BUT who’s at the center of all this creative work? You. Which means the most important part of all this is . . . you.
If you don’t take care of yourself, who will? If you get wrapped up in all these little things, then who will create your art?
An arrow doesn’t shoot forward by itself. The weapon must be pulled back against the bow in order to unleash its powerful blow. You, my friend, are the arrow. And the time of rest is the bow.
Give your mind and soul a chance to breathe. For 30 minutes or for an entire day. A cup of warm honey & lemon water, a spa treatment, or an hour of reading for pure enjoyment.
Disconnect from creating (along with social media) and reconnect with you. You are more than your creative life. You are an individual, a person first and foremost.
So embrace your leisure time. Truly delve into it without thinking of anything work-related. It’s okay; you have permission. Then ask yourself, “What do I want to fully enjoy for a moment?” Then, go do it. Your next hundred hours of brilliant work will thank you.
Write Time
How do you spend your luscious moments of rest? How much time do you set aside for this break? Let me know in the comments below, lovely.
2 Comments
Great post! I absolutely agree with recharging one’s batteries, but it’s funny how it might not seem like the most obvious answer, and that’s due to our own self-imposed goals/pressure.
Reading for enjoyment is a main one for me ^_^ but it’s getting harder to find stories, so fanfiction or romance ebooks which are a non-committal and not serious really help me unwind now =D
The mornings are used for writing, then l put aside an hour in the afternoon and night for reading anything else! That or play around on photoshop or rollerblading ^_^
What works for you?
I totally agree, Thinzar. Sometimes we need the reminder to step away from the work to recharge from it all.
Since my current schedule’s been hectic, I do both my writing and reading in the evenings after school / work. ^^; But I’m on board with romance novels! Similar to what you mentioned, their non-committal nature make ’em enjoyable. My yoga practice also helps me reset both mind and body. A challenging yet soothing way to unwind.
Do you happen to have a Goodreads account? Several books on my To Read list have come from their suggestions. You might be able to find new stories you’re interested in. Let me know if you decide to give it a try! 🙂