Embracing The Pause: Rediscovering Creativity After A Break

Can I still call myself a creative if I’m not currently creating???

As a freelance writer and poet, the past ten or so years have been punctuated by words, emotions, and the pursuit of creativity. Yet, sometime back in 2022, I found myself at a crossroads. It wasn't a writer's block exactly, but rather a nudge from within, urging me to explore a different avenue, calling me to step away from my writing and into a new chapter.

And as a big believer in trusting your gut instincts, I decided to listen up.

I embarked on an entirely new venture, channeling my energy into learning skills that felt foreign yet refreshing. Words that previously flowed effortlessly seemed to pause; get stuck somewhere between my brain and the page.

“There's an innate fear in stepping away from our craft, as if distance might dilute our abilities or redefine our essence as creators.”

At first, the absence of this familiar creative impulse left me questioning my identity. Was I still a writer if I wasn't writing? But slowly, the realisation dawned on me. Creativity isn't solely confined to the act of creation, it breathes and thrives in the moments of exploration, introspection, and the quiet spaces between artistic pursuits.

By allowing myself the freedom to embrace life from a different perspective, I was able to delve into new forms of expression, find inspiration in unexpected places, and let my mind wander without the pressure to produce. In doing so, I realised that creativity isn't a linear journey—it's a series of highs and lows, pivots and new pursuits.

There's an innate fear in stepping away from our craft, as if distance might dilute our abilities or redefine our essence as creators. However, I discovered the opposite. Sometimes, in the seemingly stagnant moments, creativity brews and transforms. It's a silent process, gathering strength in the recesses of our subconscious until it's ready to surface once more.

It’s only recently that I’ve begun to sense the familiar tingling of inspiration in the back of my mind. Dormant words starting to stir. And let me tell you, it’s such a relief.

It feels like a reunion with a part of myself I thought might be gone.

If there's one lesson I've learned this year, it's that taking a break doesn't diminish our identity as creators. It's simply a pause—a necessary interlude in the pursuit of our artistic endeavours. It's okay to step back, to explore different facets of life, and to channel our creativity in unconventional ways.

So to my fellow writers, artists, and creators out there, remember this: your craft isn't confined to the moments you spend creating. It resides within you, an intrinsic part of your being that flourishes and rejuvenates in its own time. Embrace the pauses, explore new horizons, and trust that your creativity will always find its way back to you.

My pause may have altered my path, but it never once altered who I am—a writer, a poet, a creator. And now, as I pick up my pen once more, I do so with a renewed appreciation for the ebb and flow of creativity—a journey that never ceases to surprise me.

Welcome back, inspiration. I've missed you.

~ prb x