Rest, Refill, Restore
There are two camps in the world of writing frequency: 1) write every day even if it’s trash and your heart isn’t “in it” or 2) write only when “inspiration hits.”
Like most things in my life, I can’t find myself doing one or the other. I’ve never been the type to write daily, but I wanted to try it out. I wanted to see if I could write every day while working full-time. So this past April, I did a challenge where I wrote every day for at least 15 minutes. It sounded easy, but it wasn’t. And while I was glad I got into the habit, I felt relieved when May rolled around and I could write 3-5 days a week instead of 7.
It’s not because I didn’t enjoy my writing time. I just felt like I needed a break from it. Or at least a break from the daunting task of finishing draft one of my novel manuscript. I didn’t want to get to the point where I felt like writing was a second job when it currently serves as a break from my day job.
In July, I finished draft two of Strangers and began drafting another YA manuscript. I’d also been trying to write some personal essays and poems. The words weren’t coming. I felt both stuck and in a rush to complete draft two for the querying trenches. Each time I went to write, it was like pulling teeth, and I wasn’t sure why. Toward the end of the month, I took an almost week long vacation. I brought a notebook to capture things I felt were important, but otherwise I did no writing. I did my best to rest. I actively rejected “productive downtime,” as well as the guilt that came with not writing when I had time to write.
A picture of Cannon Beach in Oregon that features a large rock formation in the water. Trees frame this view of the ocean.
Now that I’m home, I feel the words coming more easily. I’m also more accepting of the words when they aren’t perfect, and I’m writing them down anyway. I don’t feel like a failure on the days I don’t work on my major projects. I remind myself that I’m still on track with the project. My novel doesn’t have to be query-ready right this second.
Don’t get me wrong, not all parts of my vacation were relaxing or good. But the moments of rest helped me feel less stuck in my writing. And that’s the key to refilling our creative wells. Our time doesn’t need to be used to create a physical product all the time. It can just be. Sometimes just existing and admiring what’s around us is what our brains and bodies need to keep creating in the long term.
Below are a few things I recommend trying if you’re a creative who’s feeling stuck. If my list is missing something, feel free to add suggestions in the comments!
Move
A little girl running through a leafy trail while staring at the sky. Let’s hope she doesn’t run into anything. Image credit: Pixabay.
This can be a quick walk around the block, a backpacking trip, or a Zumba class, but get your blood pumping after all that chair time. Activity boosts our mood, so the positivity we feel after exercising helps when we feel alone or stuck in our writing. Some specific things I tried:
Walking the Farmer’s Market – Produce is inspirational. But if those heirloom tomatoes aren’t quite rejuvenating enough, there are also local artists and food vendors that will really open us up to trying new things and talk with people we wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to meet.
Hiking – Who can think about writing or writer’s block while puffing an inhaler each step toward the summit?
Kayaking/ Rafting/ Rock Climbing – This combination of the moving and changing scenes strategies will satisfy all of the overachievers out there! Even if you’re not an overachiever, it might just feel doubly relaxing. I recommend getting a good guide or other knowledgeable type if you do these more solitary, far-from-civilization types of trips. Especially if you’ve never done them before.
Group boxing class – Nothing looks more different from your Scrivener or a notebook than a boxing bag. Sometimes, a break means breaking a sweat or breaking a face. Martial arts would also work, but I prefer boxing.
CrossFit – Sometimes, a break means breaking your body by creating microtears in your muscles. Nothing gets you more ready to sit in that writing chair than having your legs hurt so much that you can’t stand up to procrastinate.
Living Room Yoga – Taking a yoga break or starting your day with it can help us take a brain break from everything. It also promotes mindfulness for everything EXCEPT the plot holes in our manuscripts, because that is a problem for future us.
Hallway Stroll – For those of us stuck in a smoky, wildfire wasteland, it’s tough to go outside right now. It’s unhealthy and makes us cough. Instead of an outdoor activity, build in an activity break every 20 minutes or so after you complete a task whether you’re journaling, reading, cleaning, or petting a dog. Take a walk through the hallway, or climb your stairs a few times for a real cardio kick. To time your writing breaks, I recommend a Pomodoro Timer like this one.
Change Scenes
A man with backpack standing on a rock facing a lake with mountains. Does he see a bear? Maybe, but hopefully not. Image credit: Pixabay.
Sometimes, we just need a break from our current writing location. I love my writing desk. I put a lot of work into making it feel like a productive space. Even then, sometimes moving to a new spot or having a new adventure before writing gives me the rest I need for my most intimidating works. Some specific things I did:
New Venues – New store or restaurant in town? A cute new café or coffee shop? Go! Explore a new local place as a treat for all that hard work!
Thrifting/Antiquing – The conversations from other customers or the knickknacks on display are sure to give us something new to think about.
Camping – Hate intense activity but want a change in scene? Find a campground, cabin, or yurt and get immersed somewhere new. National parks are great options for this. Not sure where to start? Visit the National Parks website here.
New Town – Go on a small or large road trip. Treat yourself to some shopping or a nice meal wherever you decide to explore. On a tight budget? Try going to a museum or art gallery. Stay a night or three or seven in a hotel or something to really commit to that new space. No money for a hotel? Camp. Or sleep in the car. This will just add to that sense of adventure you crave.
Expanding our Horizons – Sign up for a class that isn’t related to writing. This could be a ceramics class, glass blowing lesson, dance class, cooking class, etc. Activities like these give you a change in both physical and mental spaces, challenging the ways we usually think and go about processes. These are often available at cultural or rec centers. Check out your town’s chamber of commerce or local craft studios to see what they have to offer.
Writing Retreats – Okay, so this isn’t a break FROM writing, but it can feel like a break for those of us that need a daily writing routine to feel sane. Whether it’s a writing retreat with a group, or a solo stay in a hotel/ cabin/ condo, this change of scenery can help writing feel less like work and more like fun.
Actually Rest
A French Bulldog napping. Image credit: Pixabay.
Just like toxic positivity is a thing, toxic productivity is a thing. Our rest doesn’t need tangible output. If our bodies are tired and headachy and stiff, we need to honor that, and it’s okay to honor it with Netflix, a nap, or video games.
Take a leisurely nature walk.
Read something on your TBR list.
Have a cup of tea. Or coffee.
Buy your favorite snack.
Cook an easy dinner.
Get take out.
Spend extra time with your fur baby. OR pet every dog you’re allowed to pet on the street.
Fall asleep to Disney’s Tangled for the 3rd time this week.
Be the blanket burrito you’ve always aspired to be.
Me laying on the couch in blanket burrito form. Livin’ the dream!
You can do, or not do, anything you need to do when your body cries out for a time out.
It’s okay to not create every day. It’s okay to rest. In fact, I recommend at least one day a week to rest from our craft. If it’s more, that’s fine too, but whatever you do, don’t stop creating altogether.
The world needs our stories, poems, paintings, comic strips, and music scores. We need our creations for our mental health and wellbeing too. If we don’t take the time to refill our creative wells, we are in jeopardy of not being well enough to create. So let’s take care.
Want to keep up to date on my writing journey? Follow my blog. I’m also on Twitter and Instagram @writessalazar.
