Hubby and I went to the South Pacific Islands and pretty much did nothing the whole time. Having no access to friends and easy information via the net felt strange, but soon we reveled in the joy of sunshine and relaxation.
I had planned to catch up on a mountain of reading and maybe a little writing. Instead I slept. A lot. Sheer bliss. No pressure to think up new stories, fix old ones, achieve, produce, or make and maintain connections. No push. No rush.
Initially that familiar sense of guilt nagged on my thoughts. I should be writing, or in the least, reading! There's ample opportunity. Then I decided to sweep that guilt away. The result? Now that I'm back, I find myself full of creativity and bursting at the seams with fresh ideas and a renewed passion.
My advice to anyone struggling with a lack-luster creative drive, take that break. Not a partial, semi-break, but a full and proper break where you take away all the pressures and just be wonderful to yourself.
When was the last time you took a proper break? What do you do to be wonderful to yourself?
And we are glad to have you back! (Hope we didn't overwhelm you with emails upon your return.) Recharged and ready to go - that is awesome. Been a while since I completely unplugged. Although I will be mostly unplugged later this week for Thanksgiving. Online every single day isn't healthy...
ReplyDeleteI had around 300 emails to wade through. Took some time.
DeleteSounds wonderful! Especially as we've been deluged with a ton of snow for the past week or more and are now dealing with freezing rain on top of it! I'm all for a cruise in the South Pacific!! Those breaks do feel good :)
ReplyDeleteyou've definitely been having some crazy weather over there. Hopefully it settles soon.
DeleteSounds like a wonderful trip. So happy you got to get away and relax. When we go on vacation, I usually don't write much. As long as we're disciplined the other times, we're allowed the time.
ReplyDeleteand that time is good for us!
DeleteThat sounds delightful! I always intend to write on vacations, but end up not doing so. They prove to be full vacations then. Writing needs to be work from home for me, not something to catch up on while on vacation.
ReplyDeleteIt's good you know what works for you.
DeleteHi Lynda - just what the human ordered ... sometimes we just need to step away: and intentions go for nought! Glad you had that lovely time enjoying life at its best ... sun, sea, being looked after and seeing new places ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI didn't have to clean any dishes for almost two weeks! The indulgence!
DeleteSounds like a great trip and great advice. When I go on a trip, I take books to read because I love reading, but I don't write. It's a vacation and should be one.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I thought I'd get more reading done as well! lol. Silly me.
DeleteHi Lynda. Such an important post. I think it's so important to take a break from things every once in a while. I think it stimulates creativity! Have a Happy Monday :)
ReplyDeleteI can attest to that!
DeleteA break sounds good. I won't even turn on my computer Thanksgiving Day.
ReplyDeleteI've been on one cruise and absolutely loved it. Can't wait to go again.
Have a great Thanksgiving, Diane!
DeleteThat sounds wonderful! Glad to hear you're renewed and reinvigorated. Hmm, I can't remember the last time I took a total break....
ReplyDeleteI recommend it! :)
DeleteI've never been on a break nor a holiday, nor to the sea :)
ReplyDeleteWhat? No internet for two weeks, what if you were offered a Hollywood role in an email???
LOL!! If they really wanted me, then they would wait for me, because, let's face it, I'm worth the wait ;)
Delete(giggle)
I took a proper break in September, about 10 days, not Internet either. It was awesome!
ReplyDeleteAwesome is the best word for it.
DeleteExactly, Lyn. Just did it myself (actually a working one, but plenty of vacation in there, too). I finally feel as if my strength has returned. Renewed, refreshed, and ready to write! Thanks for coming by. I know that last post was a doozy, but I felt the need to fill everybody in...life was more difficult than I let on, and it might have seemed otherwise, as if I'd forgotten everyone, but no...just had to do some self-healing. Peace, and I'm glad you did the same. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's rare that we ever show what's really going on.
DeleteAnd I never thought for a second that you'd forgotten anyone. You're not that kinda guy.
Hugs
Hugs. :)
DeleteI had the exact same experience at my last vacation - even though I didn't completely unplug. Still, during the break I had all sorts of writing ideas!
ReplyDeleteVacations are the best idea generators. The only problem is, I want to go again! Now! ;)
DeleteSounds like heaven, indeed, Lynda. Haven't stepped away in a while, Vacation time is a great period to unwind completely. Have fun when you get back in the saddle.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying what we do is key for creativity.
DeleteUnplug? What is that? lol One of these days I may have to give that a go. But have no issues with creativity at my sea.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised! You work your creativity into everything you do!
DeleteI'm sure your view was amazing! Great way to unwind. I believe break from writing (or anything you do for long periods of time that you're passionate about) is necessary. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are creatures of habit. We grow accustomed to 'the way things are'. In doing so, we can grow stagnant, complacent, which can suck energy from us. For writers, that's creative energy.
ReplyDeleteYep, habit makes us comfortable and doesn't push us into new experiences. It's fresh input that generates creativity.
DeleteI can't remember taking a break for more than a day. I'm not sure I would overcome the nagging sense of work left undone.
ReplyDeleteI think each person is different and knows what works best for them.
DeleteMy most recent computer issues forced me into break mode. So now I'm back with new ideas and am finding it easy to cut and shift in my novel.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome to hear.
DeleteFANTASTIC POST!
ReplyDeleteYou know how I feel about your recent vaca. Super jelly! ;)
I want to go again!!
DeleteTaking time for a vacation is one of the more important things you can do for yourself, especially when you are self-employed. When we are the master of our own lives, we sometimes forget to take time for ourselves. Getting off the internet is the key. I'm glad you had a good time. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point about it being even more important for those who are self-employed. We do tend to forget.
DeleteGoing unplugged sounds like it was a huge win for you. Along with having a great time, you've come back ready to take on the world with renewed vigor. That is so awesome.
ReplyDeleteI haven't unplugged in a while. I better take advantage of some down time soon so I can recharge my batteries.
I've tried to 'unplug' at home, but it doesn't work if it's still accessible. A forced unplugging works best for me.
DeleteYour cruise sounds amazing. Glad you had such a great time and are now feeling so refreshed!
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing! Thanks, Julie.
DeleteIt sounds wonderful. I hope you enjoy that feeling as long as possible. Taking a break from writing every now and then does do wonders.
ReplyDeleteIt does! Thanks, Murees.
DeleteI never seem to be able to unplug completely. Sounds like I should really try to and reap the benefits.
ReplyDeletemood
I highly recommend it!
DeleteThat sounds lovely. I'll be having a little break over Thanksgiving, but no stress is lost when dealing with the in-laws! I hope you've caught up on your emails. :)
ReplyDeleteEmails are never fully caught up, but at least they are at a manageable level.
DeleteI think me being caught up on emails is like a sign of the apocalypse or something. Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to that!
DeleteWhat a great trip.
ReplyDeleteAnd glad you got the break you needed. I love the way travel to new places wakes my creative side up. :)
I only wish I could travel more!
DeleteThat is wonderful. I also feel recharged after a vacation, although I have a hard time unplugging. I'm still on my email and bring something to read or some light writing material.
ReplyDeleteIf I have access to the net, then I can't just unplug. I think that's why I like cruises. It's unplug, or get charged heaps for net connection.
DeleteYour vacay sounds fabulous! You're right - always be good to yourself. If you aren't, no one else will be.
ReplyDeleteThe vacay was awesome!!!!!!!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your vacation, it sounds heavenly. I take breaks from blogging, breaks from writing, breaks from working, but I can't ever seem to take a true break from it all. Perhaps that is what I need to dig myself out of this funk.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back
Give it a try. It certainly helped me. If that still doesn't work, then there's something else that will need changing.
DeleteCruising is amazing! Glad you had time to re-charge! I drive a lot for my work so find driving is actually 'taking a break' as it gives me time to just listen to music or just be very quiet.
ReplyDeleteIt's good you've found a way to take a break.
DeleteI'm horrible at taking breaks, but we're headed on vacation in a week, and I am totally unplugging. In fact, I'm going to take December off. *gasp* I figure around the pregnancy and holidays, it might be the only way to survive. =) Still, it's been 5 years since I took a blogging/social media holiday. There will probably be an immense amount of guilt, but I'm going to keep your advice in mind and just enjoy.
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
Have a super awesome break. I recommend totally unplugging and just enjoying. You've thoroughly earned it!
DeleteSo important to recharge and enjoy doing nothing! I did just that on our trip to the Dominican Republic and it was a pure delight not to be plugged into technology! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteWhile technology can be handy, it really can take over if we let it.
DeleteIts so important to take that complete break. Glad that you could take such a refreshing break :) I too want to take one now. Happy Thanksgiving, Lyn!
ReplyDeleteTake the break, Rachna. It's so worth it!
DeleteI'm sort of taking an unscheduled break right now because the internet connection is terrible. If I'd known that I think I would have made it an intended break. As is I feel guilty for not keeping up with all the blogs and posts, and comments I should be doing. Not a good way to feel. Glad you had a rest, Lynda. Bet it was glorious.
ReplyDeleteIt's out of your control, so there's nothing you can do but enjoy the time off.
DeleteTaking a break rather than forcing myself to write if I really don't feel like it generally meakes me more productive overall, I think.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same. That took a long while to learn... and sometimes I need to relearn it ;)
DeleteThe South Pacific? Awesome! Sounds like you had a very good opportinuty to unplug. When on vacation I take a break from everything to revitalize myself. By the time the trip is over, I'm usual aching to write again:)
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice feeling, isn't it.
DeleteI bet it was wonderful. Glad to have you back though :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
Super, super wonderful!
DeleteThanks, Anna :)
Sounds like it was rejuvenating.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I unplugged completely, the break extended to about six weeks, and then I really struggled to get back into the swing of things. That break was TOO long.
Ha, yep, some breaks can definitely be too long.
Deleteoh my gosh... PLEASE take me with you next time. I LOVE sleeping :D
ReplyDeleteSleeping is awesome!
DeleteNow that the snow is upon us, a cruise does sound great. Still, my best breaks don't require me to leave home. I'm perfectly happy with relaxing at home for several days in a row.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this thing you call snow? ;)
Delete(I think I've seen snow twice in my life)
When I get out and away, I find those moments of bliss, quiet, opening, soulful. That's when my creative side opens up and I'm off taking notes, creating work, but it is easy to put down to enjoy the surroundings. For those quick getaways and brain recharges, nothing works for me more than a day of fly fishing.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried fly fishing.
DeleteFirst, I LOVE the photograph. The South Sea islands--lucky you! Boy would I love to be there right now...and not baking a million pies for Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Lynda. Writers, and everyone, need to take a proper break from the daily grind of life to relax. Alas, I find when I get away, I finally have time to think about my writing.
The photo is on Mystery Island. Such a great place!
DeleteFinding the time to think about writing isn't all bad. Us writers never truly switch off anyway, so it's kinda inevitable.
Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHappy thanksgiving to you too.
DeleteNo push. No rush. Just the way life should be, Lynda. I'm happy for you. That must've been some trip :)))
ReplyDeleteIt was the best trip I've had for two years... oh wait, it's the only trip I've had in two years. ;)
DeleteHahaha! Well, you may want to make plans for.... number two!
DeleteI made loose plans last time but life still managed to get in the way. Hopefully that won't happen this time.
DeleteWelcome back! So glad you had a great and relaxing time. I need a trip to the South Pacific too! :) Awesome that you are so creatively energized now. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! You would've loved the trip!! I highly recommend it :)
DeleteI haven't had a full break like that for a year or so. I need another one bad. So glad you enjoyed yours :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you decide to take one soon... it's good for the soul.
DeleteWhat a wonderful break!! Sounds fabulous and came home invigorated and full of ideas. A Gift!
ReplyDeleteIt is a gift. I hope I don't waste it.
DeleteIt's very important to have a rest and not burn yourself out or let yourself start to hate the things that you love by letting it become a chore. Great idea going on a cruise! Sounds like you had a lovely time. :)
ReplyDeleteI could go on another! If only!
DeleteSounds like you had a beautiful time! Some day I'll take a break. Hopefully before I have a psychotic one! lol!
ReplyDeletelol...take the break...now! ;)
DeleteGood for you. Sounds like a fabulous time. I believe in living in the moment. Definitely when on vacation, your priority should be enjoy yourself, experience the surroundings, and re-connect with your partner/family. NOT to write or worry about writing. Great advice from you!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Reconnecting is so important.
Delete