You know how draining life is. And then we writers are audacious enough to think that we can fit one more thing into our schedules, and we pick writing at that, what William Zinsser said was, “one of the hardest things that people do”.
Bless our hearts.
We writers can sometimes feel exhausted at the end of the day—or even before it’s begun—and when you’re exhausted it’s hard to think of restful things you can do. All you can think of is not being tired.
So here’s a list of what tends to refill my creative well, and I hope it gives you some inspiration for when you’re completely drained and you need something to fill you up.
And I’d love to hear what refills your creative well! Feel free to tell me in the comments!
- Going out into nature
This is one of my favorite ways to be refreshed. Nature, on one level, mirrors the pain and struggle in our human lives, but on another level, it’s entirely above all our worries and appreciating it can feel like stepping into another world. A world where you can be yourself and not be judged, a world where beauty is everywhere, and a world where reminders of God’s goodness and love are everywhere.
I’ve been getting in the habit of getting outside more lately and I have loved “getting to know” nature again. When I was young I spent a lot of time outside. It’s time for me to start doing that again. Maybe it’s the same for you.
And right now, when spring and summer are just around the corner, is the perfect time to get in the habit! My favorite ways to enjoy nature are:
- Taking a walk in the morning, when the sun has just come up and it’s so bright
- Taking a walk at night, when the moon has risen or the stars have come out
- Taking a walk in the evening, when the day is winding down
- Sitting outside and sketching (I’m not a very good artist right now, but I try not to worry about what my art pieces look like)
- Just sitting somewhere (on a picnic table, dock, steps, grass, garden bench) and letting the sun warm my skin
- Reading books with characters that feed me
I am very interested in people and how certain people live and think, so reading a book with a character that inspires me can really fill my creative well! It’s like being with a person you admire and look up to—they just make you feel positive and rested.
A few of my favorite main characters are:
- Sherlock Holmes
- Anne of Green Gables
- Jane of Lantern Hill
- The Campfire Girls (multiple characters)
- Eating/drinking something comforting
Tea, chocolate, protein “mixtures” (which usually include coconut oil, nut butter, oatmeal, and maple syrup), coffee, toast—these edibles make me feel very nurtured and comforted. I often find enjoying them in the afternoon, when I need an energy boost, to help fill my creative well, while boosting my mental energy at the same time (chocolate and toast are more of an occasional treat).
I know that food isn’t the cure for everything, but when all you need is a bit more energy to feel like you’re creatively fed and ready to write, a snack or a cup of tea is very satisfactory.
- Watching a favorite Youtube creator
I tend to be very inspired by seeing other people that are living beautifully, learning new things, or being consistent and working towards their dreams, so watching a favorite creator on Youtube can make me very inspired and creatively alive!
There is, of course, a balance between watching someone else live their life and getting out and living your own, but I think when you have enough purpose and direction in your life, you don’t have as much of a desire (or the time) to always be watching someone else. I think the balance is probably different for everyone and it may just take some trial and error to find yours—if you haven’t already found it.
- Creating art
I have found art to be very therapeutic for me. Writers, take note of what you find therapeutic! You’ll want to know—when you’re exhausted and need something that will pour into you and feed your soul.
I know that for some people, art may only feel stressful and hard, and believe me, it does for me too when I start thinking about the quality of my art and how it looks compared to other people’s. But when I let go of all that and just be okay with however something turns out, I find that the process of making art—it could be painting, sketching, or journaling—calms me and makes me feel so happy.
It doesn’t have to be “pretty” and it doesn’t have to come out exactly how you intended. As long as you relax and enjoy yourself, no time is wasted and the result of that time, even if you made a mistake and you think it looks awful, is extremely valuable.
- Making music
I know this may not be for everyone, but making music—through singing or playing instruments—refills my creative well so well! I love playing guitar or violin at the end of the day as a way to unwind and relax.
And similar to what I said about creating art, you don’t have to be good at singing or playing an instrument for it to nurture you. You just have to be enjoying yourself, and when you know that it doesn’t have to sound perfect, that’s a lot easier .
- Writing a letter
I put this on the list because I sometimes find writing a letter to be a lot of fun, but that being said, they can be a bit of work sometimes too!
The most fun letter to write is one that you’re excited to write. Having a little routine that you do every time you write a letter helps too. I usually address the envelope, write the letter, then seal the envelope with my wax sealing kit. The wax sealing is my favorite part! My friend Pearl has a great blog post about writing letters and reading that was what inspired me to get a wax sealing kit. Check it out here!
- Cooking/baking
One of my favorite weekly routines is that I make a big meal on Sunday afternoons. My siblings and I split up cooking over the week, and when my night comes around, I’ve usually already made the meal ahead of time, or I’ll just make soup or stew in the instant pot. Either way, it’s usually a rushed process that I’m trying to complete as quickly as possible.
But on Sundays I get to take my time and relish the process instead of rushing it. I love cooking, and for me, making a big meal—as long as there’s no stress involved—is very enjoyable…and restful.
I also love to bake and because I don’t do it often, when I do get the chance it’s quite the treat! No pun intended. 🙂
- Letting someone pamper me
For me, this is usually in the form of getting a back rub! Haha.
I think it’s so important to let someone love on you. While it may feel more natural for some of us to be the one giving, we have to let ourselves receive love so that we can be a good giver of love.
And here I have to give a quick shoutout to my wonderful sister who gives dreamy back rubs! Thanks, girlie!
- Listening to music
Music has such power, doesn’t it?
I love to listen to music and I have certain songs that I listen to at various times when I want to feel certain ways. It’s such a gift to be able to be encouraged, inspired, motivated, comforted, and nurtured by songs. I think a lot of people can relate. 🙂
Resting is such a personal activity, so I’m sure some of the things on my list may actually feel strenuous to someone else, and that’s perfectly fine! But the important thing is that you rest, it doesn’t matter what form it takes.
I would encourage you to create your own list of what rests you, so that you can always have ideas for when you’re so tired you can’t even think of what to do.
Your list can include big things that take a lot of time, like going out or binging a show, as well as little things, like staring up at the stars for a moment or making a cup of tea. Whatever makes you feel loved and nurtured, that’s what should go on your list.
And don’t forget to use your list! We writers can get ourselves so busy that we forget about resting until we’re forced to. Don’t let that happen to you.
Take care of your beautiful self and your writing will all the better for it.
