Be Like A Bear and Learn to Hibernate
I always take a long break from December to the middle of January. I think it's necessary to reboot, so to speak. I try to slow down the pace a little bit and spend more time with family and friends.
This year I'll be in LA for an extended time. We've had a family member who had some serious health issues this year. So we're gonna hang in LA for a bit.
Every year I have to face the guilt monster when I take this long break. The Puritan work ethic runs deep in my soul. I fall prey to that little voice that tells me I'm being lazy. "Get up and be productive!" I can hear it saying in my head.
Well, you know what? Screw that. Any farmer will tell you - you cannot keep planting the same field, year in and year out, without letting it rest once in a while. You have to let the field lay fallow once in awhile. The same is true for artists or writers or bankers. You have to let the little gray cells rest once in a while.
And I don't mean pretend to rest. You know, like reading that really long boring book that you're "supposed" to read because everyone's talking about it when you really want to read that trashy bodice ripper or sci-fi yarn. Read the bodice ripper people! Eat chocolate cake for breakfast and stay in your pj's all day.
If you don't rest, as an artist or a banker, you cannot be creative. After a while, you'll get stale, repetitive. That's the kiss of death for an artist. I'm not sure how bankers handle that, but it's probably not good for them either. For an artist, it means dry, lifeless work. Or worse, work that just repeats itself without growing.
So take it from me, a seasoned break-taker, tell the little voice to shut up and take your winter break. Even bears know you're supposed to hibernate in the winter.
Here are some suggestions on finding some "spare time" in which to take a break:
Don't make your bed for an entire week. That should give you enough time for a chapter of the bodice ripper.
Don't make dinner for a week. Order takeout or eat peanut butter sandwiches. Loads of time saved. You could do crossword puzzles instead or continue reading the aforementioned bodice ripper. Or sci-fi fantasy. You pick.
Don't watch the news or read the newspaper for a week. That's probably hours of time right there. Instead, watch old movies and eat popcorn. Don't worry, the world in all its insanity will still be there in a week.
Don't go grocery shopping for an entire week. Treat yourself to delivered groceries. Heck, some grocery stores will give you the first delivery for free. Use the time saved to stay in bed late or maybe all day?
These are just some suggestions. I'm sure you can come up with more.
Just give yourself a break. Your art will thank you. And if you see me in my pj’s you’ll know why.