As we’re all getting inundated with Justin Timberlake memes this week, I’d like to lay the foundation for a different kind of May.
As a transitional month, it can be really easy to forge ahead and put your nose to the grind – but this year, how about we try and do things a little differently?
This month’s Creative Urge invites you to explore the 7 types of rest you need as a Creative in late stage capitalism.
What do I mean by ‘rest’?
My favourite definition of rest in a creative context is this:
To be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position.
To keep creating, we don’t need to force it or push ourselves beyond our limits… we need practices and activities that help to keep us in place.
To make it real easy for you, here’s a breakdown of the 7 types of rest that I believe ALL Creatives need.
Physical
Let’s divide physical rest into two categories: passive and active.
Passive rest is exactly what you think it is: a good night’s sleep, a delicious nap and even a cheeky mediation.
Active rest, however, involves some gentle movement of your body. Think stretching, yoga, going for a walk or getting a massage.
I like to fold physical rest into everyday, following the natural rhythms of my body:
When I wake up, I spend about 10 mins stretching or doing a little yoga
After lunch, I’ll do a spot of meditation (usually a yoga nidra)
For the 3pm slump, I go for a walk around the block, and
Before bed, I try to do at least 30 mins of yin yoga.
Mental
This type of rest is when you actively disengage from stimulus and consumption (vital for your ability to sustain creative energy long term).
Mental rest might be my favourite kind of rest because it’s so simple to do:
Take short breaks (5-10 mins) every two hours
Try journaling right before bed to get all remaining thoughts out of your head
Turn off your phone for periods throughout the day, and
Gift yourself a social media detox at least once a week.
Sensory
Your nervous system (via your senses) is how you interpret the world, so if it’s overwhelmed, guess what? Things will likely become a splash chaotic!
As a Creative, you’re probably suuuuper sensitive to the world around you, so you may need more of this type of rest than the average Joe.
What does this look like for me? I’m glad you asked:
In the mornings, I take my coffee and journal outside and sit on my balcony, which is especially luxurious if it’s a sunny morning
I use a Pomodoro timer when I’m working, so every time I get to that 5 minute break, I close my eyes for a minute or so before getting up
Unplugging electronics at the end of the day, including my WiFi, has meant I spend less time surrounded by electric buzzing
At night, I opt for low warm lighting to give my eyes a chance to take 5.
Creative
The purpose of creative rest is to reawaken you sense of awe and wonder.
This is so important if you have a creative day job, too. When you get bogged down by client work and everything feels a bit ‘Groundhog Day’, activating that childlike curiosity could be better than an espresso.
But how do you tap into that energy?
Get out and enjoy the beauty of nature, wherever you can
Practice a hobby that’s a different from creative medium to the one you make money with (writers go draw, illustrators go write, etc)
Add inspirational photos and quotes to your workspace to remind you of what you love
Get your ass off the computer and into an art gallery, go see some live music or even hit up a dance class (anything that allows you to absorb creative expression).
Emotional
This might just be the most confronting of all the types of rest. Why? It’s about having the courage to be authentic.
Managing your emotions as a Creative is no mean feat, but if you’re always emotionally exhausted (with no energy to do the things you love), then it might help you to:
Spend time alone and develop a habit of enjoying your own company
Manage your ‘people pleasing’ by learning to say no more than yes
Talk to a trusted friend when you’re feeling the BIG feels
Cultivate a practice of self-reflection where you can ask yourself powerful questions and give honest answers (if you struggle with this, we need to talk).
Social
You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘social battery’ before, which describes how much energy you’ve got for others.
Figuring out your social limits and what you need is a game changer as a Creative. Learn when you need to reach out and when you need to retreat, as well as how to gently communicate it with your people.
Social rest can look like:
Spending less time with those who drain you and more time with people who energise you
Intentionally engaging with people when you’re spending time together by being present and distraction-free
Treating yourself to a solo date (with or without your creative practice)
Switching up the activities you do with your loved ones (if you always go out for dinner, why not stay at home and cook for a change).
Spiritual
My second favourite type of rest is spiritual rest: think of this as an opportunity to stop thinking about yourself and start giving to the world.
When we’re in the depths of the creative process, we can sometimes become tunnel visioned, forgetting there’s a whole universe that exists outside of our work.
To bring some balance to things, you might like to try:
Joining a community of likeminded people who all love your hobby (for me, that’s Body Fit Training)
Volunteer to support a cause you care about, like animals or refugees
Cultivate a prayer or manifestation practice to start shifting your energy
Ask your parents or an older mentor to tell you a story of what their life was like when they were your age (trust me, you’ll be blown away by how refreshing this is!).
Journal prompts
From May onwards, I’m going to gift you four key journal prompts to explore.
“But Dr Maz, why only four?!”
I want you to pick one for each week of the month and answer it every time you journal. That’s it.
Sit with each question for a few minutes and see what comes up – you might be surprised at how different your answers are each time!
For May, ask yourself:
When life feels uncertain, what’s your go-to move to regain control?
What’s your relationship to rest like?
When you have downtime, how do you fill it?
What does it feel like when you’re fully recharged?
Until next month!
Creatively yours,
Dr Maz xoxo
PS: There’s still time to join my merry band of creative vagabonds with a paid subscription on Substack. You’ll get 20% off your first year until June 1st. So if you’re ready to really dig into your creativity in the rest of 2024, this is the most affordable way to work with meeee!