I've bought a regular old fashion alarm clock for those days. This way I can keep track of where I am in my day, yet can turn off my phone and computer. I check in for important calls a few times in the day.
I always try to have a jig saw puzzle going for times like this. I store it on a board on top of my refrigerator and pull it down when I need to zone out. We will be traveling to Amsterdam next year so I have started a map of the city puzzle to familiarize myself with its unique layout. I find that working maps of the city I will visit helps to anchor it into by body before I get there.
Walking is the most effective way to restore equilibrium for me, especially in forested areas with streams. Time away in the African bush is a very close second, just not as easily accessible as my own two feet. Working in my garden is another activity that is perfect for restoration. If itās wet and miserable, reading is my natural default and if the household is unsettled I set up a jigsaw puzzle that gets worked on over the week by everyone whenever they have a spare moment. Amazing what conversations are sparked over a puzzle. Daily yoga and deep breathing also help. If I really need to free up some headspace reorganizing a space, my study or cupboard, is oddly effective.
I was literally chatting to a friend about creative burn-out yesterday - especially when your creativity slips into the to-do-list, another must do rather than a source of flow and release. It's reading for me...and just you know, remembering to stop now and then xo
When my creativity is tapped dry I often kick back and relax with music, read or reread poetry or even non-poetic books, do some crossword puzzles or come up with different ways to spark creativity.
One which often leads to ideas is to choose a book on any subject and have an arbitrary means of determining decisions such as dice, playing cards or a spinning wheel.
The idea is to 1) choose a page based, for example, on the throw of one to three dice, 2) a line on the page with one or two dice and 3) a word within the line with one die.
You may need to add in a few extra verbs, prepositions and pronouns in case you fall short of them but the idea, once youāve finished, is to use only those words to compose a poem.
Poetry, other reading, art galleries, walking in the countryside ā my, how high quality your down time is! Me? I turn on the TV and watch programmes I have taped if I am lucky and any old thing if I'm not. Two days of slumping in front of the TV has no inherent value whatsoever but it sure helps me to get back to my usual energy. And, like @Super_Kat (not sure if I've done that right), I do love a good movie in the middle of the day.
I live in London so I head to the Tate for a mooch and get tea and cake in the cafe. I also love going to the movies, going for walks, and if I can, get out of the city to go somewhere green.
I ride or spend time with my horses or dogs. Go mushing with the sled dogs. I to re read books that I find make me get lost in their world. The outdoors really help me with my creativity
Watching or rereading Shakespeare. Something about iambic pentameter wakes up my neural networks. I love museums and art galleries. And being in nature, but that tends to be a winter activity(this is the first week of livable weather since April) since I live in the Arizona desert. I love a good book, but it has to be good or I go into editor mode and then it's no fun at all.
Watercolor and journalling by hand often reset things for me since I feel zero pressure to perform. And baking. A well executed cheesecake is so satisfying and an excellent excuse to connect with friends.
I have POTS, so there are days when I just can't. Create. Move. Function. Brain fog sweeps in and takes function away. On those days, I actually calm my body and brain down, beat the adrenaline with cross-stitch or other creative but repetitive tasks. Cutting paper into strips for future projects. Gluing some current projects.
For reading resets, I use Terry Brook's Shannara series as my palate cleanser. I've loved it since high school but had stepped away in years past and now am working my way through all of it.
Oh, how lovely that youāre taking some time to recharge and care for yourself. A hot bath or spending time in nature are so soul nourishing for me, especially when Iām feeling overwhelmed. Enjoy your time. Sending you so much love. š
I've bought a regular old fashion alarm clock for those days. This way I can keep track of where I am in my day, yet can turn off my phone and computer. I check in for important calls a few times in the day.
I always try to have a jig saw puzzle going for times like this. I store it on a board on top of my refrigerator and pull it down when I need to zone out. We will be traveling to Amsterdam next year so I have started a map of the city puzzle to familiarize myself with its unique layout. I find that working maps of the city I will visit helps to anchor it into by body before I get there.
I LOVE puzzles. I also love Amsterdamā¦ when will you be there??
Walking is the most effective way to restore equilibrium for me, especially in forested areas with streams. Time away in the African bush is a very close second, just not as easily accessible as my own two feet. Working in my garden is another activity that is perfect for restoration. If itās wet and miserable, reading is my natural default and if the household is unsettled I set up a jigsaw puzzle that gets worked on over the week by everyone whenever they have a spare moment. Amazing what conversations are sparked over a puzzle. Daily yoga and deep breathing also help. If I really need to free up some headspace reorganizing a space, my study or cupboard, is oddly effective.
yes to walking and I love that team puzzle is growing!
I was literally chatting to a friend about creative burn-out yesterday - especially when your creativity slips into the to-do-list, another must do rather than a source of flow and release. It's reading for me...and just you know, remembering to stop now and then xo
yes to stopping and reading. so much yes to this
When my creativity is tapped dry I often kick back and relax with music, read or reread poetry or even non-poetic books, do some crossword puzzles or come up with different ways to spark creativity.
One which often leads to ideas is to choose a book on any subject and have an arbitrary means of determining decisions such as dice, playing cards or a spinning wheel.
The idea is to 1) choose a page based, for example, on the throw of one to three dice, 2) a line on the page with one or two dice and 3) a word within the line with one die.
You may need to add in a few extra verbs, prepositions and pronouns in case you fall short of them but the idea, once youāve finished, is to use only those words to compose a poem.
Itās amazing how this opens up your mind.
ok, dice and book divination is ON
I love to just lose myself in a book although it's been too long since I've done that. Failing that a nice long walk by myself always helps
Total immersion in a book is my happy place, too.
Poetry, other reading, art galleries, walking in the countryside ā my, how high quality your down time is! Me? I turn on the TV and watch programmes I have taped if I am lucky and any old thing if I'm not. Two days of slumping in front of the TV has no inherent value whatsoever but it sure helps me to get back to my usual energy. And, like @Super_Kat (not sure if I've done that right), I do love a good movie in the middle of the day.
Midday movie is total bliss, agreed.
And just smoothing paint around, with no aim to make anything in particular
I live in London so I head to the Tate for a mooch and get tea and cake in the cafe. I also love going to the movies, going for walks, and if I can, get out of the city to go somewhere green.
I didnāt know you were in London, Kat! I must be better about promoting London meet-ups. š
I ride or spend time with my horses or dogs. Go mushing with the sled dogs. I to re read books that I find make me get lost in their world. The outdoors really help me with my creativity
Also, yes please to sled dogs!!
Sled dogs are so fun! I just did a run yesterday as we finally have some snow.
I've been re-reading a lot myself this week.
Ooooh - fresh snow is such a delight. āļø
I have been rereading a lot this past week. So good!
I love to take walks in our local wilderness areas. I use it as time to reflect as well as to be present and observe wildlife and flora. :)
Watching or rereading Shakespeare. Something about iambic pentameter wakes up my neural networks. I love museums and art galleries. And being in nature, but that tends to be a winter activity(this is the first week of livable weather since April) since I live in the Arizona desert. I love a good book, but it has to be good or I go into editor mode and then it's no fun at all.
Watercolor and journalling by hand often reset things for me since I feel zero pressure to perform. And baking. A well executed cheesecake is so satisfying and an excellent excuse to connect with friends.
This is a really excellent list. Thank you so much! Agreed on writing by hand- that definitely unlocks things for me, too. š
I try to read uplifting books - Matt Haigās latest āThe Life Impossibleā and binge tv programs that are easy to follow :)
Itās in my queue! Canāt wait to listen to it ā I got the audiobook version. āØ
I have POTS, so there are days when I just can't. Create. Move. Function. Brain fog sweeps in and takes function away. On those days, I actually calm my body and brain down, beat the adrenaline with cross-stitch or other creative but repetitive tasks. Cutting paper into strips for future projects. Gluing some current projects.
For reading resets, I use Terry Brook's Shannara series as my palate cleanser. I've loved it since high school but had stepped away in years past and now am working my way through all of it.
These are great, although Iām sorry youāve had such a struggle to find these options.
Oh, how lovely that youāre taking some time to recharge and care for yourself. A hot bath or spending time in nature are so soul nourishing for me, especially when Iām feeling overwhelmed. Enjoy your time. Sending you so much love. š
Thank you, love! It was everything
That's supposed to say smooshing
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