The end of August has a magical feel to it. Kiddos head back to school, sunset begins to creep later, the heat may finally begin to ease. Summer’s buzz wanes, and there’s an invitation: to pause, get cozy, and think about what’s next.
But slowing down isn’t always comfortable. Coming out of summer, we’re used to constant motion. A lull can make our nervous systems twitchy, as if we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. Living in a world that celebrates hustle, rest can often feel wrong.
Yet as creatives, we need it. Making things — whether it’s art, words, or ideas — takes a lot out of us. Without breaks, we risk running ourselves straight into burnout.
Whether we’re creatives in our personal lives, work lives, or both, it’s rare for someone to hand us rest. It’s an idea we need to claim for ourselves, and it’s not always easy. As we head into fall, here are some ways we can follow the season’s cues to find rest:
Notice what burnout feels like to you.
Brain fog, procrastination, restlessness, writer’s block. Learn your early indicators so you can step back before you hit the wall.
Work with your creative seasons.
Nature has its rhythm — winter’s rest, spring’s fresh starts, summer’s full energy, fall’s reflection. Creativity moves the same way. Notice which seasons you thrive in and which you resist, then plan your projects with that in mind.
Make rest less intimidating.
If you’re not great at doing nothing (hi, same), ease in. Take a walk. Read something for fun. Wander a local museum. Rest isn’t just laying on the couch watching TV (although that can be great, too). Rest is taking in the world without an objective; it invites curiosity and gets your creative juices flowing in an entirely new way. Who knows what sparks will fly.
As we head into fall, give yourself the permission slip to slow down. Rest isn’t a waste of time; it’s part of the work. Your creativity will thank you for it.
Now, go take a nap,
