Escape to creativity!
June 12th, 2019 by Morna
What are you doing on your summer vacation?
Yes, I know that as creative entrepreneurs you don’t really take a summer vacation. You are probably working in/on your business 24/7/365. You can’t possibly take time off.
Or maybe you do fit in some time because your spouse has a two-week vacation. Or maybe you still have a day job with vacation time and you don’t want to lose it all. According to Market Watch, the average American worker takes just over half his/her vacation time.
This summer try something different. Take time off and use it as an opportunity to open your mind, spice up your creativity, and see the world in a new way. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Get out your coloring books
Coloring books are still on trend, so grab your crayons or colored markers and get to work. You can find coloring books anywhere today. Or you can draw your own design — something easy for creatives — and start there. Studies show that coloring has therapeutic results.
Visit a museum
This will likely involve a road trip, so call a friend for company. It’s great to share a new experience with someone else. Together you can decide if it’s a day trip or an overnight. Pack the car with great snacks. I always say that calories don’t count in the car!
Take a class
You have lots of options here. You can find a local class or search the Internet for a longer retreat.
Consider taking a class that stretches you. For example, if you are a quilter, take a photography class. If you are a photographer, take a drawing class.
The idea is that you step out of your box and try something new.
And, your class may or may not be in person. You may find an online class. Two places to check out are Creative Live and Sketchbook Skool. If this idea resonates, again look for something out of your comfort zone or even a new teacher who could inspire you.
Take a technology break
Technology is wonderful, but it’s so easy to get wrapped up in sharing everything on social media.
Consider some of your time technology free. When you are not always looking to capture the perfect Instagram moment, you can be more present to the experience.
Bring back your youth
Do you remember some of the fun you had as a kid just playing?
You might have loved hopscotch or jacks or your hula hoop. Get them out and try again. And, while you are drawing the hopscotch board with sidewalk chalk, take some time to decorate the squares. Chalk today is not like the chalk you likely grew up with.
Two favorite quotes about summer
“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” —Henry James
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Your turn!
What are you doing on your summer vacation?
Tags: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry James, recharge, relax, summer, vacation
Patty Sawyer said:
How timely…I’m on vacation this week with my husband and doing a variety of things. While we both have a “to do” list a mile long, we are combining crossing off a few of those items each day before heading out to have some fun as well. First, we explored Big Sebago for the day by boat. Things always look different from the water side of things. We had lunch on Frye Island which is a place we had never been before. We’ve watched a movie, played some new games and will be heading out shortly to explore the White Mountains. We also plan to try out a new restaurant tonight and taking in a museum tomorrow. Cutting out the computer and social media completely is hard but, we have limited it to just a few minutes each evening as we keep track of “RSVPS” for my daughter’s upcoming baby shower.
Prior to vacation, we made two lists. One list had all the fun stuff we have wanted to do or try, the other was the not so fun chore list. Having these lists has helped with a good mix of accomplishments and entertainment. We set time limits for the chores each day and then head off for some fun. We can adjust the list depending on the weather. One week is never long enough to fit it all in however, I think we both have more of a sense of satisfaction and refreshment than before.
Kim Johnson said:
Love this, Patty Sawyer! Enjoy!
Morna said:
Patty, the lists are a great idea, and it sounds that a fabulous vacation. When I wrote this, one of the things I thought about was that others come to you as a creativity escape.