World Watercolor Month: Days 8 & 9 — Rest Is Part of the Creative Process

Good afternoon, and welcome back to my World Watercolor Month journal.

Today's entry is a little different because I missed writing yesterday's blog.

I did wake up early and spend time painting, but my mind just wasn't in the right place to put my thoughts into words. Instead of forcing myself to write, I decided to simply enjoy a quiet morning with my watercolors.

Sometimes that's exactly what we need.

Yesterday I spent my painting session working on one of the beautiful poinciana trees my mom recently photographed back home in the Bahamas. Even though I didn't write about it, taking that quiet time to paint gave me a sense of accomplishment before the rest of the day began.

This morning, on Day 9, I was still feeling a little of yesterday's slower pace, but I found myself inspired enough to complete two small paintings—a second poinciana tree and a very loose, abstract bowl of tropical fruit. .

Looking back over these past two days, I've realized something that I think many creative people struggle with.

We often feel guilty for resting.

Social media has a way of convincing us that if we aren't constantly creating, posting, or producing, we're somehow falling behind. It can feel as though everyone else is moving faster while we're standing still.

But I've noticed something about my own creative process.

Whenever I truly step away—whether it's during a vacation, a long weekend, or simply taking a day without expectations—I always return to watercolor with fresh eyes.

The techniques are still there.

The ideas come back.

In fact, they often come back stronger than before.

I feel more inspired, more curious, and much more excited to paint.

Today's Thought

If you're a creative person, don't be afraid to take breaks.

Rest isn't the opposite of creativity.

It's part of creativity.

We're human beings, not machines. We aren't meant to produce something every hour of every day.

Sometimes we need quiet.

Sometimes we need reflection.

Sometimes we simply need permission to pause.

Then, when we're ready, we return to the paper with renewed energy and a fresh perspective.

So today, if you're feeling tired or uninspired, give yourself permission to rest without guilt.

Your creativity isn't going anywhere.

It will be there, waiting for you when you're ready.

Thank you for joining me for Days 8 and 9 of World Watercolor Month. I hope you're finding little moments of creativity this month, whether that's painting every day or simply taking time to notice the beauty around you.

If today's journal resonated with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. How do you know when it's time to rest, and what helps you reconnect with your creativity afterward? Leave a comment below—I always enjoy hearing your experiences. Until next time, take care of yourself, and keep creating in a way that brings you joy.