How Taking Breaks Makes You Write Better

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In the bustling world of words, deadlines, and creativity, the art of taking breaks might seem counterintuitive to a writer’s mission. Yet, as pens are laid to rest and keyboards fall silent, a profound transformation takes place. It is a transformation that breeds renewed inspiration, clarity, and depth. In this week, I invite you into my personal journey of embracing a hiatus from writing. I will how it helped me to gain perspective and explore why this practice is an indispensable facet of the writing process.

The Continuous Flow Dilemma

Writers, by nature, are driven souls. The act of weaving words into tapestries of stories, ideas, and emotions demands relentless commitment and ceaseless ardor. As our passion fuels us, it can also lead to a tunnel vision that inhibits growth. The continuous flow of writing can inadvertently blind us to the wider landscapes of thought and experience, narrowing our creative scope.

I found myself ensnared in this cycle—a constant rhythm of ideation and transcription that left little room for contemplation. It was this very realization that led me to embark on a hiatus from writing. I needed a period of intentional stillness to recalibrate my creative compass.

Stepping Back to Reconnect

Taking breaks from writing was like stepping away from a canvas to observe the entire gallery. Initially, there was an unsettling sense of withdrawal, an echo of unwritten words reverberating within. Yet, as the days turned into weeks, a remarkable transformation began to unfold.

The time I would have spent laboring over sentences was now directed towards diverse experiences. I engaged in conversations with strangers, wandered through nature’s labyrinthine beauty, and delved into books far removed from my usual genres. These seemingly mundane activities culminated in a symphony of inspiration that gradually revealed itself.

Gaining a Panoramic Perspective

Perspective is the cornerstone of any art form. It’s the ability to perceive not just what lies before us, but what exists beyond the horizons of our immediate vision. Just as a camera zooms out to capture the grandeur of a landscape, taking breaks allows us to zoom out from the microcosms of our writing and take in the macrocosm of life.

In my time away from writing, I found myself attuned to the subtleties of human interaction. The cadence of laughter, the weight of unspoken words, and the language of silence was remarkable. I marveled at the intricate dance of nature. In the mornings I would gaze at the fragile bloom of a flower, the steadfast growth of trees, the constancy of the sun’s journey across the sky. These observations, seemingly unrelated to writing, painted the backdrop against which my words would dance once more.

The Ebb and Flow of Creativity

Creativity, much like the tide, is cyclical. It surges forth with unfettered energy, only to recede and gather strength once again. The ebb and flow of creativity is a rhythm that demands our respect and understanding. A hiatus from writing isn’t a hiatus from creativity; rather, it’s an acknowledgment of this natural rhythm.

When taking breaks, I discovered that by allowing my creativity to breathe, I was nurturing it in ways I hadn’t before. The ebb was a period of replenishment, where I absorbed the world’s offerings, and the flow was the manifestation of this newfound richness.

Conclusion

In a world where productivity is often hailed as the ultimate achievement, the act of intentionally taking breaks might seem counterproductive. Yet, as writers, we must remember that our craft is as much about the spaces between words as it is about the words themselves. A hiatus from writing isn’t a stagnation of progress; it’s an investment in growth.

My journey of taking a break to gain perspective was a revelation—one that reinforced the idea that writing is a dialogue between the inner self and the world at large. The hiatus became my cocoon of transformation, allowing me to emerge with wings unfurled, ready to explore new horizons of imagination and expression.

So, to my fellow writers, I extend an invitation—embrace the stillness, seek the pauses, and let the world’s myriad experiences infuse your words with the magic of perspective. Your writing will be richer, your voice stronger, and your creativity boundless.