Some may think that to be a real artist, you need to make art every day, or at least be creative in some way every day. But I’m sorry to say that’s not realistic. You might even know that, and still feel like you’ve somehow done something wrong by not spending time on your projects. You might take a break from your creative work voluntarily, or it might be a forced absence. Maybe you felt pressured to be all in or all out, and you haven’t known how to work slowly, in pockets of time. You might have known a pause was coming, or maybe you looked up one day, surprised how long it had been since you worked on your project. Whatever your break looks like, it can be unsettling, especially if you’re not sure how to return to your creative practice. An extended break can leave us feeling numb or restless. You might feel sad or adrift. You might feel angry that you can’t work. Or you might feel a little relieved to be free of the pressure to create something. Your thoughts may be jumbled and scattered. All those feelings will likely come and go, shift and evolve. You might find yourself building stories around the feelings, telling yourself you used to be an artist, and now you’re not.

Every time I’ve taken an extended break from writing and painting, I’ve found myself in the same place, longing to make something. I’m taking notes even when I don’t know where they will lead, writing short poems or doodling more. I can’t help but be an artist. I realize again and again, this is who I am. The break helps me recommit to my creativity and confirm this work really matters to me. It reminds me that I want to make art, regardless of whether people like it or not. I want to make art, even if there’s no money in it. I want to make art, even if no one sees it. I want to make art because I have good ideas, and I want to share them. I want to make art, because it softens my hard edges and helps me absorb the hard parts of being a mother, daughter, and wife. I want to make art, because I’m an artist. (We all are, but that’s another story.)

If you’re feeling called to create something after a long pause, but you’re not sure how to get started, I’m sharing my process below. Of course, there’s more than one way to do something, but here’s what’s worked for me.

Make Choices

So much of being an artist is knowing your own values, having an aesthetic, and expressing your point of view. Let yourself practice making choices in a fun, easy way. Read a magazine and then choose one image as your favorite. You can tear it out or leave it in. The point is to decide. Walk through your house and consciously choose your favorite place to sit. Think about all the walks you’ve taken this year and write down your top three places. Or look back at photos on your phone and build an album around a theme. It might feel a little strange, but making choices is a skill you can build again, and it will give you more confidence in your creative practice.

Be Yourself

You aren’t the same person you are before you took this break. Maybe you are a mother now. Or maybe you live in a new state. Or you got a divorce. Or a new job. Presumably you took a break from your creative process, because life was big and messy. That’s ok. You have new experiences to draw from and more wisdom to share. Take time to get to know who you are now. Journal, talk to friends, sign up for a tarot-card reading, or do whatever helps you understand yourself better. Don’t be surprised when your art looks different than it used to. You’ve changed. So will your work.

Start Small

This is where haiku and a-photo-a-day projects come in. Of course, if you have the energy to launch into a bigger project, I’m not going to stop you. But if you’re feeling intimidated about starting a new manuscript or hiring a team to film your next event, it can help to start with something more intimate. Don’t let this work distract you from bigger, bolder projects when you’re ready. But they can be a lovely stepping stone, and that’s what you’re looking for right now.

Choose One Project

You might have a backlog of projects you’ve considered starting or finishing but you haven’t touched for a while. If they still feel interesting, choose one to focus on. Or start something that feels relevant to who you are today. But do your best to choose one. You’ll make more progress if you can focus on one, and that will give you momentum and a confidence boost.

When I think of my next project, the words I keep returning to are:

Intuitive, original, layered, alive, and starlight

What are your words? Are you returning to your creative practice after a pause? Send me a note. I would love to hear what you’re working on.