Weaving rest + play into the everyday
'Make time to save time' while nurturing your curiosity + creativity
Last year, I discovered the phrase “go slow to go fast,” or perhaps it was “slow down to speed up,” I can’t quite remember. In any case, it means the same thing and suggests that approaching a task with time and care can ultimately lead to better results and fewer mistakes, thus enabling us to make progress.
Only the word ‘slow’ jars with me, and I’m becoming mindful of using it because I connect more strongly with the idea of working intuitively and sustainably. I suppose you could say it’s about approaching business in a more considered way, and this is why “make time to save time" lands better, somehow.
When I make time for rest and play, I can save time when I return to my business, clients and projects. Why? Because it centres me and creates a sounder and wiser internal environment, leading to increased clarity and concentration. Downtime and playtime are essential and offer fulfilment and sustenance.
More recently, I’ve been exploring creative rest, which helps us appreciate beauty and reawaken wonder. We can welcome it through artistic, reflective and sensory experiences, then return to solving problems and making decisions with greater insight. Curious to learn more? I wrote a guest article on the topic and share some examples of nurturing activities.
“When you rest, you catch your breath and it holds you up, like water wings.”
– Anne Lamott
When we support ourselves, we dial up the compassion and can move forward safely and spaciously. It's why I scheduled my Kickstarter pre-launch campaign to fall after a family holiday. I needed to make room for a deep exhale before producing the Brand Seasons Playdeck and publishing the Brand Seasons Paper.
This pocket-sized deck of cards will support you through the branding process, and the mini zine celebrates all things creativity and seasonality. Both will be available for you to back in less than six weeks, so I want to bring my whole self to this endeavour and build the energy and excitement growing inside and around me. I can’t do that without rest and play.
We often fear breaks, especially when committed to routine or approaching a milestone, but the online space is more forgiving than we are led to believe. Worry less about algorithms and audiences and more about cultivating your curiosity because the benefits of taking a break far outweigh the possibility of losing your creative spirit.
Join the waitlist to be notified when the Kickstarter campaign for the Brand Seasons Playdeck and Paper goes live.
Rest + play pick ‘n’ mix
But what if a break is out of reach? How can you make time for your creative self each day? As I shared with one reader:
“The path to pacing myself is still a daily practice of changing habits and crafting rituals that support me…it's about playing and figuring out what nurtures [me] personally.”
The challenge lies in carving out these opportunities. So I’m sharing eight small things I can turn to when I need to fuel myself.
Scheduling downtime: Treating ‘me time’ as I would any other appointment affirms that my creativity matters. Plans may change, but the act increases the possibility for rest or play.
Making connections: Spending quality time with those who see me. Sharing a coffee, enjoying deep conversation, or a simple voicenote exchange can be enough to bring a sense of belonging.
Learning skills: I recently joined the Heiter Society by Katharina Geissler-Evans and plan to dip into some short classes to explore my artistic side or learn a new creative skill.
Embracing nature: Being outdoors makes a marked difference in how I think and feel. Reading about nature—in magazine or memoir form—also has a calming and grounding effect.
Childlike play: While it can be tricky, something I rarely regret doing is playing with my kids, getting down to their level, and seeing the world through their eyes.
Curating space: Creating a calm environment is essential for my wellbeing, because it feels good and reminds me to punctuate my days with moments of comfort.
Daily movement: Walking is a tonic, and we're spoilt here in the Scottish Borders, so committing to this one small thing makes all the difference to how I feel when I return home.
Setting boundaries: Communicating my bandwidth to protect my peace doesn't come easy to me, but it goes hand in hand with learning to go gently and release guilt.
Tell me, if you gave yourself the chance to rest and play, what would that look and feel like for you?
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to subscribe and tune into an upcoming guest conversation with Sara Duigou where we explore the seven types of rest.
Podcast recess
Speaking of downtime, I’ve taken a short break from recording and publishing my podcast. The next episode, where I chat with fellow designer Liz Mosley, will be with you on Friday 16th August. Meanwhile, you can catch up on the first five episodes—a blend of solo reflections and guest conversations.
Brand Seasons explores the rhythms in our independent businesses and creative practices. As a brand designer and creative mentor, I also share guidance on strategy, styling, and storytelling and write through the lenses of curiosity, creativity, and connection.
New around here? Thank you for joining me and taking the time to engage with my writing. I’d love to get to know you, so feel free to say hello and introduce yourself.
You can also join the waitlist to be the first to know when my Kickstarter campaign for the Brand Seasons Playdeck launches!
Oh, somehow this is exactly what I needed. My freelance projects have massively slowed down the last month or so (because of summer holidays) and I’m finding it hard to take that break to focus on my creative work. Instead I spend time worrying… I’m really going to try your tips! Focusing especially on the forging connections here on Substack!
Great perspective, Sarah. Rest + play = fuel!