Why Rest is the Secret to My Best Ideas

I used to hustle until I dropped. Seriously. I’m a self-proclaimed workaholic, and I learned from the best—my family. They worked hard, and so did I. For years, I thought the more hours I put in, the more successful I’d be. But, here’s the thing: as I’ve aged, I’ve realized there’s no point in working your fingers to the bone if you don’t stop and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

As creatives, rest isn’t just important—it’s essential. Our best ideas often come when we’re not actively searching for them. Whether it’s a random shower thought or something that hits you while taking a walk, inspiration tends to strike when your mind is at ease. I’ll be honest—my ADHD brain thrives under tight deadlines and pressure. But over time, I’ve learned to avoid setting myself up for that constant chaos.

As creatives, rest isn’t just important—it’s essential. Sabine Sonnentag, professor of organizational psychology at the University of Mannheim, points out that being unable to detach from work can lead to burnout and a drop in creativity. But, when you disengage and take time away, you become more resilient and productive. Even a short weekend getaway can help recover from work stress, and longer vacations have even greater benefits. Research backs this up—after a vacation, 64% of people report feeling "refreshed and excited to get back to my job." And, the cost of not taking vacations is staggering. U.S. businesses lose around $224 billion annually due to unused vacation days.

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When you take care of your body, you're also taking care of your mind. And, when your mind is in a good place, creativity flows. It’s no longer a flex to work 24/7 with no boundaries. The “grind” culture has glamorized burnout, but trust me—it’s overrated. Work boundaries are just as important as personal ones.

We work to live, not the other way around. So take that vacation, spend time on that hobby, or simply slow down for a while. There’s no better time than today to do the thing you’ve been putting off. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and sometimes the best way to move forward is by taking a step back.

So, what hobby or vacation have you been putting off? I’d love to hear what you’re planning next—drop it in the comments and let’s inspire each other to take that well-deserved break!