With summer just around the corner, many creative entrepreneurs are longing to really enjoy it and take a much-needed break, but feel that because they’re self-employed, they cannot fully do so. Trust me… I get it! I’ve been there. I really struggled to fully unplug and enjoy myself for a long time until I really experienced the full cost of burnout. That’s why supporting creatives in fully resting and cultivating systems and processes that allow them to do so is one of my passions! After all, you started your business to do things differently, and also (likely) to ensure a greater balance of work and rest, so let’s cultivate the space for you to do so! Keep reading, and we’ll dive in together…
Turning Your Brain Off
… Ok, so we can’t (and wouldn’t ever want to!) totally shut our brains off… but in order to fully surrender to enjoying our summer, it’s essential that we are able to turn off enough to fully enjoy ourselves and our time off. When your time off is filled with ruminating, overthinking, wondering what is going on with your business, or worrying about what will happen while you are away, you cannot fully surrender to rest.
So here’s the central question: how can you truly and genuinely take a guilt-free break without feeling like your entire business is going to collapse in the process?
It comes from ONE essential mindset shift: part of being a creative entrepreneur is resting to restore your creative mind. It’s time to throw out any internal ideas you have about rest being ‘lazy’ and reclaim it once and for all.
The Mindset Shift: Rest is Restoration, Not Laziness
Unfortunately, many people believe (on some level, even unconsciously) that rest is equivalent to laziness. Rest isn’t about being ‘lazy’ or quitting – it’s an act of repairing and restoring our nervous system. When we actually allow ourselves the time and space to regulate, clarity naturally shows up.
Clarity always seems to come the moment you truly stop thinking about something. At least that’s how it is for my clients and me.
When I find myself overthinking something when really my body is calling for rest, and I surrender to that rest fully, not ‘guilting’ or ‘shoulding’ myself, I am rewarded with the lightning bolt of clarity.
Clarity also comes in unexpected moments when you are deeply surrendered, like going for a walk in nature, having a conversation with a friend, or taking a hot shower.
Clarity Comes From Rest
When we believe we must force clarity and ‘reach’ it before we can rest, we fall into the trap of overthinking ourselves to the point of burnout, blocking our natural clarity and intuition and sending our nervous system into overdrive. Feeling lost, confused, or foggy is not necessarily a sign that you won’t know what to do with time – these feelings are simply a signal that it is time to surrender to rest, trusting that clarity comes when we release the pressure of our minds.
Rest + “Taking a Break” Doesn’t Have to Look a Certain Way
The other thing many people get hung up on when it comes to taking a break is thinking it needs to look a certain way. A full week off, a trip away… but here’s the thing… there are a few ways you can integrate rest into your days and weeks so that you actually feel restored, even if you cannot take a longer break.
We have an image of ‘rest’ as sitting in a bubble bath, taking a spa day, or going on vacation. But rest is in the little moments, too. Rest can look like…
- Removing unnecessary pressure or deadlines that you have imposed on yourself
- Doing something purely because it is FUN and makes you feel good
- Surrendering the need to make a decision on the spot and allowing yourself to sleep on it instead
- Prioritizing low-stakes creative hobbies that make you feel at ease and relaxed
- Allowing for ‘good enoughness’ at times rather than continually expecting ‘perfection’ of yourself
- Getting enough sleep each night and taking the time to make yourself a nourishing meal
This is your permission to rest in the way that makes you feel at ease, not what you think you should do to feel more rested.
There Are Different Kinds Of Rest
The American Psychological Association recognizes 7 different types of rest:
- Physical
- Mental
- Emotional
- Social
- Creative
- Sensory
- Spiritual
Keep this in mind when you consider what makes you feel rested, in each of these areas, so that you are truly allowing your mind, body and spirit to rest.
4 Tips for Taking a Break as a Creative Entrepreneur
- Cultivate a resilient mindset: A resilient mindset is the belief that, no matter what happens, you, your essence, and your spirit will always be okay. Adopting a resilient mindset is one of the best things you can do as an entrepreneur to remind yourself that, although your business feels like your baby, it isn’t, and no matter what happens, YOU will always be okay.
- Plan breaks before you “need” them: Each month, when you sit down and look ahead on the calendar, think first of the times you’d like to take off. For example, special family events, dates with your significant other, or a day off during your peak of menstruation.
- Aim for 1-2 (extended) breaks per year (at least!): Having extended time off (at least more than one day) allows you to actually unplug and regenerate. Taking time to unplug from technology and social media and recharge your creativity, replenish your own creative and self-care well and connect with loved ones and friends
- Use automations to support you: Things like scheduling content in advance, using automatic replies and responses, and setting up passive email funnels help you know and trust that your business and marketing are working for you, even when you are off relaxing! This has massively supported me in fully surrendering to time off, as I know things are working in the back end even when I am not!
Affirmations To Carry With You
- Rest isn’t lazy, it’s restoration
- I trust myself enough to rest
- I am more than enough
- Rest allows me to do my best work
- It’s safe to rest
- Rest allows me to flourish in my career
- I don’t wait until I “need” it to allow myself to take a break
Rooting in FULFILLMENT
In this free workshop, I break down the steps for shifting your focus from outward success to internal fulfillment so you can cultivate sustainable, life-changing habits that help you create and work from a place of pure alignment. Watch now
Other Articles You’ll Love
Why Clarity Comes After Rest (Not Before!)
How to Take a Break as an Entrepreneur
How to Build Momentum Without Burning Out
Self-Care Tips to Help Burnout
