Why Rest is Important for Your Creativity

By Claire Winter.

The art of doing nothing is often seriously underrated. I have definitely been that person who thought wearing the 'busy' badge would help me succeed in business and life, but in fact, the opposite was true.

Creating room for daydreaming, staring at the clouds, resting, walking, and writing has made me more productive. It has eased my nervous system, meaning I get better sleep, and as a result, I get so much more done when I do work.

We often associate doing nothing with boredom, but it is just being present with yourself. It is giving yourself time to rest, process, and come up with creative ideas.

In a world where we have entertainment on tap 24/7 through our phones and other devices, we sometimes have to work quite hard to create an environment where we are doing nothing.

It can be revolutionary to be still and embrace the present moment. Taking the time to slow down, breathe, and savour the simple joys of life can be incredibly rejuvenating for the mind, body, and soul.

Creativity often blossoms from a place of stillness. Allowing ourselves the gift of doing nothing opens space for inspiration, introspection, and a deeper connection to ourselves.

Here are five ways to incorporate rest into your day so you can be more creative: 

1. Schedule 'White Space' in Your Calendar. Set aside dedicated time for unstructured thinking and relaxation. Block out periods in your schedule where you have no specific tasks or obligations, allowing your mind to wander and recharge.
2. Practice Mindful Meditation. Incorporate short meditation sessions into your daily routine. Even 5-10 minutes of mindful breathing can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and create mental space for creative ideas to emerge. Apps like Calm and Insight Timer are great for listening to short meditations, but make sure you have a 'do not disturb' set on your mobile device so notifications do not sidetrack you.
3. Spend time in nature. Step outside for brief walks or sit in a natural setting like your garden or a nearby park. Being in nature has been shown to boost creativity and cognitive function. Use this time to disconnect from technology and reconnect with your surroundings; this is why I love to take people walking before they write.
4. Implement a "Time Out" Hour. Designate one hour each day where you intentionally do nothing productive. Use this time to daydream, doodle, read or simply sit quietly. This practice can help reset your mind and spark unexpected creative insights. It is also often why we get our best ideas in the shower, cooking, or out on a run.
5. Create a "Creativity Corner". Design a comfortable, distraction-free space dedicated to rest and reflection in your home or office. Light a candle and surround yourself with inspiring books, gorgeous soft furnishings and calming elements like plants or artwork. You can use this space when you need a creative recharge.

I encourage you to find your own unique way of doing nothing - whether it's through meditation, spending time in nature, or simply resting. Embrace the art of doing nothing, and do it in a way that speaks to your soul.

Claire Winter is a trainer, creativity and writing coach, and award-winning podcaster. Claire uses a blended coaching and mentoring approach to ignite her client's creativity so they can share their authentic voice and story.  She is a trained NCTJ journalist and started her career at ITN in radio and television. She successfully sold her first magazine business and then built a successful content marketing training and coaching business over the last five years.

She’s also a qualified ICF Coach, Nordic Walking Instructor and host of the Creatrix Journey Podcast, and founder of the Creatrix Journey.

She loves to share her knowledge about storytelling, nature connection, walking, and creative writing. She’s passionate about sharing the medicine of walking and writing and how to create more meaningful connections with your audience.

Follow The Creatrix Journey on Instagram @thecreatrixjourney or check out creatrixjourney.com  You can also Sign up for her creative writing guide.