Want to Keep Your Creative Passion Alive? Take a Break!

Do you feel like you’re loosing your creative spark with your writing? You, my friend, maybe burnt out and need to take a break from writing!

Are you having a moment with your writing where it feels kind of “ho-hum?” Like you’re dissatisfied with everything you’re adding to the page, or you struggle to write anything at all? You, my friend, maybe burnt out and in need of a break.

It happens to everyone in any field when they’ve been at it for too long without a chance to rest their mind and body genuinely. But when we step away, it gives us time to reflect on our work, possibly see things from a new perspective, or even clear our heads and focus on other matters entirely.

Then we can come back to our craft ready to put in meaningful progress once again. Taking a break can be tricky if a publishing house supports you, as most agreements come with deadlines (it’s still possible, but you’ll need to manage your time well). If you’re self-published, you can set your own schedule.

The danger there, though, is you can let yourself get sucked in by complacency or apathy and possibly never return to your story. Both have pros and cons, but in either situation, you must work out when and how to step away.

Do You Need to Take a Break from Writing?

First, let’s look at the signs that you need to rest. When you’re knee-deep in your creativity or berating and guilting yourself because you’re locked in writer’s block, it can be hard to notice the need for a break. Your issues can manifest in any number of the following ways:

• You’re continuously bumping writing to the bottom of your to-do list for other meaningful priorities
• You have little to no desire to write
• There’s a sudden urge to scrap it all and start again
• The act of writing (or doing anything) is exhausting
• Writing or the idea of it brings you a lot of anxiety and fear
• You keep wanting to start a different project

Any of those factors could indicate burnout, and attempting to force the issue will lead to lackluster results and resentment towards a practice you love. And nobody wants either of those things.

Does this mean you hate writing or never want to do it again? Not likely. But if you don’t honor those signs and step away for a breather, it could drive you to quit altogether, so listen to yourself and mind your needs.

Everything Will Be Okay

To start, you’ll probably need to deal with the guilt of allowing yourself to rest. If the idea of taking a break doesn’t bother you, that’s great! I applaud you for living in a healthy state of mind.

But for so many others, I know what it’s like to self-flagellate whenever you’re not writing. “I should be drafting ideas!” or “I need to read some more theory,” or “Why don’t I look into publishers, agents, etc.?” and other thoughts that swim through our heads.

But it’s okay. Everyone needs a break, so why should that be different for you? Take the time you need to recenter and approach your writing again at your best.

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Plan Your Breaks

A great trick to keep yourself fresh and avoid needing prolonged breaks from burnout is scheduling a “dark day” every week. That’s a day when you don’t write or do anything creatively related to your writing.

It’s easy for us writers to get lost in our work all the time, going at it in fits and starts at any hour on any day. But when we don’t set healthy boundaries, our brains start to eat, sleep, and breathe writing, leaving room for little else.

By giving yourself a regular day off, you can make space for other aspects of your life that will (surprise!) feed your craft! And when you know you have those days coming up, you can make the most of them by planning. You can take a personal outing, set up social gatherings, or whatever else that recharges you.

Me, I like to walk or binge some of my favorite shows. Whatever you decide to do, make it something that lets you rest and refills your energy, spoons, well — whatever imagery you use — so you are refreshed in the end. Plus, there are some potential fringe benefits to some suggested activities:

• Going for a walk lets your thoughts flow and allows you to observe people.
• If you watch TV, films, or read books, they can inspire your own story.
• You can try meditation to clear your head and reduce anxiety, along with other health benefits.
• Exercising is also great for you and similarly makes room in your mind for creativity and brainstorming during or after the act.
• Socializing with friends is another chance for people-watching, and who knows? Your antics may make their way into part of your story.

If you fall apart from stress or burnout, who will write your story? You’ve got to be mindful of what your body and mind tell you throughout the creative process. That’s why taking a break from writing is crucial. Writing is a labor of love, and you need to see it through to the end.

But it won’t do you good to work yourself into the ground and never finish anything. So take it easy on yourself, appreciate all you’ve done so far, and show yourself the kindness and gratitude of taking a well-deserved break.

If you want to share other techniques or suggested activities for taking a break from writing or want to talk about anything else, track me down on social media. You’re also welcome to send an email to me at jsims@jairesims.com.