It’s Okay To Stop Creating

Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, you might need to hear this.

It’s okay to stop creating.

Let me explain.

2020 has been a banner year… for stress, fatigue, confusion, exhaustion and so much more.  This combination is a breeding ground creative blocks and general lack of motivation.  But, have not fear, there is a solution.

Rest.

Earlier this year I went through a period of fatigue where I literally couldn’t focus on any of the work on my plate.  I spent hours trying to develop concepts and creative only to feel even more drained once the work was complete. 

You see, typically, creatives get their energy from creation.  Whether it’s drawing a picture, writing a sonnet or building a website, the creative who develops it generally gets positive energy through the process. But, earlier this year, for me that all went away.

So, I had to evaluate…

I had to take a closer, deeper, look at what was going on in the world around me.

I had to take a break.

Now, creative breaks are different for everyone and for every situation.  For me, my break consisted of actually getting up earlier and spending 2-3 hours every morning in nature.  Those 2-3 hours, four to five times a week, helped recenter me in the work that I was doing and helped me refocus on creating amazing things.

But, these mini-breaks (if you want to call them that) may not be enough.  Sometimes you need to completely check out.  Shut off your phone, your social media connections, your TV and digital life and rediscover your center. 

Sometimes, you need the digital space but you need less physical connection.  One of our daughters gets much of her energy from gaming.  It’s a completely digital activity, but it inspires her and reenergizes her to get back to creating.

Even now, as we speak, I’m on a creative break.  Between Christmas and New Year I took two weeks off,  Two weeks away from the day-to-day, instead, I’ve been spending as much time as I can focused on things I love.  Things like photography, illustration, and yes, writing this blog.

You see, taking a break from creative doesn’t mean you have to stop creating.  It just means you need to stop the grind of the day-to-day, and focus on things that will reenergize your heart.

So…

Wherever you are…

Whatever you’re doing…

Do yourself (and your work) a favor.  Take. A. Break.

The work will always be there when you return.