Rest as a Creative Practice: Let Go of Pushing Through
You’ve been running all day between errands, emails, deadlines. By the time you finally sit down, you’re too tired to even think about doing something creative. Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth: you don’t need more hours in the day. You need rest.
Rest isn’t something we leave up to chance. It’s the foundation of your creativity.
So, let’s talk about it.
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Why You’re So Exhausted
Modern life is… a lot. Most of us are juggling multiple responsibilities across different areas of our life: family, work, friendships, keeping up a household, pushing our careers forward, maybe even running a business. By the end of the day, it’s no wonder that most are exhausted.
And when you finally carve out a little sliver of time for yourself, the thought of starting something creative feels nearly impossible.
The inner critic voices are loud and unrelenting, “I should just be stronger! I should push through! Then, I’ll earn my rest.”
But here’s the problem with this mindset and approach, it leaves you feeling perpetually behind, never good enough. Creativity becomes another item on the to-do list, another demand, instead of something you look forward to. Instead of being a source of joy and energy, it feels draining before you’ve even started.
And if that sounds familiar, I want you to know—you are not alone.
Why Rest Feels So Hard
For so many women, especially women of color, this pattern is deeply ingrained. We’ve been taught that taking time for ourselves is selfish, lazy, or indulgent. That rest has to be earned after we’ve proven our productivity.
But that isn’t true.
We live in a culture obsessed with work and hustle. Productivity becomes the yardstick for self-worth. And rest? It gets framed as a luxury, a prize you unlock once you’ve “done enough.”
But creativity doesn’t flourish under exhaustion. It needs presence, energy, and spaciousness to breathe.
Think of it this way: imagine you’re holding a completely dry paintbrush and pressing it hard onto paper. No matter how much pressure you apply, nothing comes out. That’s what it’s like to force yourself to create when you’re running on empty.
Rest is what fills your brush with paint again. Without it, your ideas stay stuck inside you and it’s hard to express yourself.
So, if you’ve been blaming yourself for lacking motivation or discipline, take a breath. The problem isn’t you. The problem is that you’ve been told rest is optional, when in reality rest is essential!
Redefining Rest
So how do we shift this?
It starts by redefining what rest is.
Rest isn’t a prize you earn after the work is finished. Rest is the foundation that allows you to show up fully in your life and for your creativity.
And rest isn’t about doing more. You’re not resting just so you do more later. You’re resting to live a balanced life—one with space for work, play, and restoration.
A life where you’re not just a machine producing output, but a human being allowed to exist, to enjoy, to create.
And here’s an important reminder: rest doesn’t have to mean lying in bed all day or booking a spa trip. Rest can be woven into the everyday through small, intentional choices that restore your energy.
Everyday Practices for Rest
Here are a few ways you can begin to invite rest into your daily life:
1. Mini Breaks
Take just five minutes to pause and check-in with yourself. Close your eyes, stretch your body, step outside for fresh air, or simply breathe deeply. Notice how you’re feeling without trying to change anything. You'll be surprised at how refreshing and soothing it feels to give yourself a few intentional minutes every day.
2. Restful Play
This is about creativity without the pressure. Doodle in your notebook, color a page, tear some paper and make a quick collage. Don’t worry about the outcome or the pressure to turn this into a bigger project. The goal is not a masterpiece. The goal is a low-pressure, playful moment where your creative energy can flow freely.
3. Creative Breaks
Instead of defaulting to scrolling your phone, try something that gently stirs your imagination. Step outside and notice the plants in your neighborhood. Jot down an inspiring quote in your journal. Re-arrange your books by color. These small acts invite creativity back into your day and give your mind a breath of fresh air.
The most important thing? Start small. You don’t need the perfect routine or long blocks of time to care for yourself. Even five minutes of intentional rest can shift your energy and open the door to your creativity.
Key Takeaway
Here’s what I want you to remember:
Rest is not a prize you earn after doing “enough.” Rest is the foundation of a creative life.
You don’t need to wait until your life is perfectly in order before you can make time for yourself or your art. You don’t need to push harder or prove yourself first.
Start today. Give yourself a small moment of rest and notice how it changes your mood, your energy, and your creativity.
Because when you choose rest, you’re not stepping away from your creativity. You’re stepping into it.
Remember: rest is not optional. It is your birthright. And when you honor it, your creativity will thank you for it.
Until next time, stay creative!
Renata is a creativity coach empowering neurodivergent and multi-passionate women of color, to use creativity as a tool for self-discovery and healing, so they can let go of feeling inadequate and insecure and start experiencing more confidence and self-acceptance. She’s currently offering a free copy of her therapeutic art making workbook when you sign up for her email list. Sign up here to get your free copy.
