Revitalizing the Creative Soul: The Art of Recharging
Some people say that summer is the most wonderful time of the year. But if you’re a small business looking ahead to the busy holiday season it can be quite a busy time! There’s so much to stay on top of, and by the end of it all, you might feel like your tank is on E. If you’ve felt burned out, being creative can feel impossible. You need a recharge. And I’m really writing this all down as a reminder to myself!
Whenever you reach that point, it’s important to refresh your mind and do the things that make you feel good—even if they have nothing to do with making art. This could lower your stress, improve your headspace, and ultimately help you reignite your creative energy. Here are tips for practicing mindfulness and stoking creativity that I lean into and you might try too.
Breathe
Okay, don’t just breathe. Concentrate on your breathing. Take deep, slow breaths. Notice your belly expanding and contracting with every inhale and exhale.
Still with me? I’ve been praticing yoga and working on my breathing for over a decade. Daily breathing exercises not only promote calmness, but also help us disengage from distracting thoughts.
Start a gratitude journal
Turns out, writing down the things you’re grateful for is good for your health. According to multiple bodies of research, expressing gratitude can improve sleep, increase positivity and boost self-esteem. I use the One Line A Day: A Five Year Memory Book not as a diary but the as the place that I write down at least one bit of gratitude at each day’s end.
*That’s an affiliate link above!
Watch documentaries
Seeing real people use their brains to accomplish great things can get your own creative juices flowing. There are so many quality documentaries about art and creativity you can find on your favorite streaming services.
Take a look at this list of art-themed documentaries by Highsnobiety that I’m working my way through.
Lose yourself in the flow of doing things you love
Focus on the tiny nuances of your favorite songs. Disappear into a good book. In other words, allow yourself to fully experience and enjoy the things you love doing most. It not only improves your mood, but it also puts you in a more positive headspace where you can be creative. I relate best to really savoring the flavors of a meal. This is a doubly beneficial practice of helping me slow down and have a mindfulness-type experience while eating.
Give your workspace a makeover
If days start becoming indistinguishable from each other, the monotony can wear you down. That’s when you can benefit most from change. Invite new energy and ideas into your workspace with a makeover. You don’t have to do anything too extensive. Put up a new picture. Replace a few items at your desk. Add new colors to switch up the look and feel. Small adjustments here and there can go a long way. I tend to change the layout of the furniture in the studio. The refresh of the space makes it more usable based on my current needs and energizes me to create.
*curious about the studio? Read this blog post!
Go on mindful walks
If you find yourself on autopilot, get up and go for a walk if you can. Take in the environment around you and pay close attention to your movement to clear your mind. You can do this anywhere—in a hallway, down the street, or in nature. If you follow me on IG you may already know that walking is a big part of my routine. Even ten minutes on the treadmill, when the weather isn’t cooperative, can set me on a better trajectory.
Do nothing
If you really want to recharge, what you need more than anything is rest. Many of us tend to overbook our day with tasks and overwhelm our minds with too much information. You don’t have to be productive every waking moment. In fact, that hurts, not helps your creativity. This is the hardest tip for me! How have you had success with this? Unplugging from social media? Looking out the window? Listening to silence?
*image is of my do-nothing place — here’s the affiliate link if you’d like a set too!
No matter how busy you get throughout the year, always carve out time to recharge and practice self-care. It’s not only essential to your mental health, but it can also help you unlock your full creative potential. I’d love to learn your tips so I can add them to my list!
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