Permission to Pause: Why Your Creativity Thrives When You Let Go

When Creativity Needs a Breather!

Are you stuck in the middle of a creative project or painting? Not sure which way to turn? Trust me, I've been there too!

Recently I had a lightbulb moment - For weeks I've been trying to push through the messy middle stage of developing my new painting course. Everything's was there but it just wasn't clicking. I kept pushing and pushing, getting more frustrated, until I finally realized I needed to treat this exactly like I would a painting that wasn't quite working - I needed to step away. I've understood this creative cycle for years in my painting practice, but somehow I hadn't connected it to my course creation until now.

So that's exactly what I did! I closed my course folders, put away my notes, and decided to play with some loose floral sketches instead. And wouldn't you know it? That breathing room is exactly what my creative mind needed. I'm not quite there yet but already I’m feeling the ideas percolating and solutions emerging now I'm not trying to force them. The power of letting go!

Course creation is just another form of creativity. It follows the exact same patterns as painting. When I'm stuck on a canvas, I know to step away... so why wasn't I doing the same with my course? Sometimes we need these little reminders that creativity is creativity, no matter what form it takes.

Permission to Step Away!

I wanted to share how important I think it is to put down your paintbrush when things aren't flowing and you've tried pushing through. This isn't giving up - it's actually a super smart strategy that helps your creative brain work behind the scenes.

When we step away from a tricky project, our minds continue processing the problem without us even realizing it. How amazing is that?! It literally figures things out in the background!

My Favourite Creative Detours 🎨

Here are some simple things I love to do when I hit a creative roadblock:

• Prep materials: Gesso some canvases or prepare paper - your hands stay busy while your mind wanders.

• Play with something new: Try a completely different creative project just for fun

• Get outside: Take a walk or do some gardening - nature has a magical way of clearing our minds

• Flip through art books: No pressure to create, just soak up inspiration

• Make tiny art: I'm currently creating loose floral thumbnails in my sketchbook - just playing with colour, shapes and composition.

Finding Your "Just Right" Pressure Level

Sometimes you might need a few hours away from a project, other times it might be weeks! There's no right or wrong here - your creative journey doesn't run on a schedule.

The worst thing you can do is put too much pressure on yourself. It's a bit like the Goldilocks story - a little pressure is good (it keeps us motivated), too little doesn't work (we never start), but too much can completely shut down a creative mind. We need to find that "just right" balance that works for us.

When we pile on too much pressure, our creative thinking closes down. We get stuck in frustration rather than possibility. Instead, be kind to yourself and trust that solutions will come when they're ready. Your creative mind needs that breathing room.

Quick Tips for When You're Stuck:

1. Step away from your project completely

2. Do something creative but totally different

3. Play and have fun without pressure to make something "good"

4. Trust that your brain is still working on solutions

5. Return when it feels right - you'll often see with fresh eyes.

   

What I've discovered time and again is that stepping away doesn't just solve my creative problems—it often leads to even better outcomes than I originally imagined. That breathing room allows fresh perspectives and unexpected connections to form that simply wouldn't have happened if I'd kept pushing through the frustration. Some of my favourite paintings emerged after a break, with solutions I never would have seen otherwise.

Remember that most artists ( if not all ) go through these cycles. It's not a sign that you're doing anything wrong - it's actually a natural and necessary part of the creative process.

Trust the process, take the pressure off and have a little fun!

I hope you found this helpful if you are feeling stuck with your creativity

Have you found any fun creative detours that help you when you're stuck? I'd absolutely love to hear about them. 💖