Who else believes that you’re not being creative or you’re a true artist unless you’re painting, mapping out ideas, and filling your time with output? 

This might be hard to hear, but you’re wrong. 

You are an artist. You’re creative. Your brain is fully aware and active about wanting to grow and evolve as an artist… BUT… rest and recovery time is great for your creativity. In fact, it’s essential. We cannot survive without sleep as a human. And that’s the same for our artwork and our role as an artist. If you’re exhausted or quite frankly being hard on yourself for not physically painting all the time, you’re killing your ideas and creativity. Like most things, creativity needs recovery time. 

I heard someone say – stepping away isn’t quitting; it’s maintenance. Pushing yourself hard, beating yourself up for not producing an output/painting can really damage your creativity. We are of course our own worst enemy but we should also build in rest to help recharge and refocus our mindset. Let’s not feel guilty for that. Rest is great for creativity and you don’t have to be creative or an artist by measuring only your output. Output doesn’t define you. 

So next time you look at your schedule or you start a new project, build in some rest. Some down time. Some time to reflect. Some time to do something other than worry or stress over what you “should” be doing or what you “should” be painting. Only when you come to terms with adding rest into your creative process is when you truly reach a well-balanced mindset about your own art and creativity. 

Some helpful tips when thinking about rest: 

• rest isn’t laziness; redefine why you need to rest (this can be recharge, refocus, clarify ideas) 
• step away from your painting or your project for a period of time (to help you prevent creative burnout) 
• go back to basics! Drink water, stretch and think about your breathing; embrace mindfulness and be in the present moment. 
• find your peace. Go for a walk, listen to music or embrace the silence. 
• write down any stresses or worries; it’s now on a list so you don’t have to keep thinking about it. 
• play! Paint without rules or the pressure to produce a perfect painting. Just spend some time with your materials without expectations. 

I’m going to expand on some of these techniques in future Blogs. Let’s me know if you’d like more information on Mindfulness too by emailing me at: markjratcliffeart@gmail.com

Check out Mark’s course on Smart Art Courses: Mindfully Creative: Art Techniques for the Mind, Body and Soul www.smartartcourses.com/art-for-mindfulness 

Mark J Ratcliffe Art: Artist & Creator; Certified Meditation Coach and Wellbeing Practitioner.  You can also find Mark on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/markjratcliffeart