Embracing Rest as a Writer

Mental health is a real thing. It’s something that we need to take care of and be gentle with. Especially as writers and creatives.

Rest is important for everyone, but in this age it’s gotten a bad name. Because we don’t want to be lazy. But fruitful rest is not laziness.

We all want to be productive, to get as much done in a day as we physically can. But all the accomplishments in the world isn’t worth anything if you aren’t taking care of yourself. If you aren’t being aware of the times you need rest.

Which do you do: rush around all day working non-stop, or wisely completing your tasks while being conscience of when you need breaks? Because we all need breaks. We need to refill our creative wells instead of simply taking from them all the time.

Do you take the time to refill your well?

You have to decide for yourself what things are relaxing and rejuvenating for you. Then take those things and implement them when you’re feeling low. For me, a few of those things are playing piano, listening to podcasts, or reading a great book. Every time I’m tired and in need of a break, I go to one of these.

Take a moment to evaluate your life. Have your been extra tired lately? Feeling dry? Lacking creativity? Mentally exhausted and drained? Take out a piece of paper and write down several things that will fill you back up. Then do them.

I’m not saying push aside all your tasks needing done and be lazy, because it’s still the goal not to be lazy. But I’m saying I think you can be more productive if you take the time for mindful rest just as you take the time to get things done.

So, on that note, go take some time off. Read a book. Relax. And fill yourself up to set yourself up for more success in being productive. I know that’s what I’m going to be doing. After attending my first writing conference this past week (more on that later) I am brain dead to the extreme. So I’m going to take my own advice, get off this screen, and go fill up my creative well. Care to join me?