The Importance of Creative Rest

Hello, friends.

I wanted to discuss something today that has been on my heart for a while now: the importance of creative rest. When I graduated college in May, I took a break from blogging and jumped headfirst into writing my novel. When I wasn't running or working or reading, I was writing. And when I wasn't writing, I was crying thinking about my characters and plot and whether or not first or third person was better, and so many writerly things that I thought my head was going to explode.

All this to say: My constant creative pursuit wasn't healthy.

I think that as creatives, we sometimes believe the lie that we always have to be "on" or "productive" or have great projects in the works. But it's not true. In fact, constantly trying to be creative or churn out projects is draining. I'll be honest, there were many days I would come home from work and just collapse in bed and not know how I was going to write. I had no creative juices, no energy. I wasn't getting enough sleep or spending enough time with friends or the Lord.

But it's not my life's purpose to be creative. It's to know Christ and make Him known.

I think one reason I put so much pressure on myself to finish my novel was that I thought if I didn't, my life's purpose wouldn't be fulfilled. But my identity and purpose is not in writing. I am a human and friend and daughter of the King first. God has given us the ability to create, and it is wonderful, but when creativity becomes our main focus, it's not sustainable. We have to allow ourselves to rest. 

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Love that comma after "Be still." Love the pause that it implies.

Part of the creative process, I think, is stepping back from your work and letting yourself recharge. It might sound counterproductive, but it's not. Over the past few months sans blogging, I have learned that there is something to be said for rest. There is something to be said for putting down your pen or keyboard and going for a walk. For going out to dinner with friends. For watching a movie with your family. For reading your Bible. For taking an early morning run. For eating ice cream.

You don't have to try and save the world, creatives. We're not super-humans here and we don't have to try to be. Your own well-being should ALWAYS come before creativity.

I am still learning what it means to rest, but know this: You don't have to live the life of the perfect Supremely Creative Person, because that person doesn't exist. No one human being can sustain a sleep-deprived existence and just keep going and going and going, inspiring others and working and writing and GAH! It is more than okay to take quiet breaks and walk with the Lord and accept a creative slump as a veritable gift. This is what I am learning, and what I want for my life going forward.

x

What about you?

What do you think of creative rest? Do you struggle with trying to be a Supremely Creative Person as well? TELL ME I'M NOT ALONE