Rest

I’ve been thinking a lot about rest. (Mostly my therapist has been asking me to think a lot about rest, or more accurately to rest and not just think about it). I wrapped up several big projects and immediately finished another, and now I’m sort of between tasks and I must confess I’m not entirely sure what to do with myself.

I feel like, unless I’m productive, I’m failing at something. And productivity can mean anything - it can mean writing for pleasure, or working on a gift for someone, or tackling a household chore. And those are all extremely valuable - but they don’t include rest.

But, and I’m asking this sincerely, what is rest? It’s not just sleep (because heaven knows I never get enough of that) and it’s not being creative (for me, anyway, because being creative in my mind always involves some level of productivity). It it watching movies? Reading? Playing video games? Going for walks?

I’m trying to learn, to take advantage of this break in work and use it wisely. To allow my brain time to recharge, so that it can be more creative and more productive. I’m taking some time away from home, just a couple of nights, to be alone and quiet. (My therapist tried to get me to leave my laptop behind, I laughed in her face. I’m not there yet). I’ll see how it goes.