Consider Going On a Writing Sabbatical

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Updated 3 months ago

It's All By Design

When you have a clear and concise vision, productivity is inevitable. A break or a vacation is not a waste of time. More specifically, a break to an ambitious dreamer is completely different from that of someone that just goes through the motions without much self reflection.

A dreamer with self awareness realizes that they are in motion even when they are sitting still and are silent.

The question that lies inside of us during these moments are "where is our motion taking us to?"

You can answer that question only if you have a vision for every arrow to point to. Less you resemble those with bows but no arrows to aim with.

With the declaration of a clear goal, You'll never come out of a vacation thinking you have to start from scratch because your mind was already working on it during your period of rest.

2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made...

-Genesis 2:2-3

Here's something that might surprise you. If you're feeling like your writing's hit a plateau or your creative well's running dry, it's not just about working harder; it's also about stepping back.

A writing sabbatical might be precisely what you need, and here's why. There's a sheer volume of content being churned out daily in our digital landscape. It's overwhelming, and as a writer, it's easy to feel like just another drop in the ocean.

That's where the sabbatical comes in. Taking time away from your usual writing and content creation routine can help you return to the roots of creative thought.

This isn't just an escape; it's a strategic retreat. It allows you to cultivate depth over breadth, giving you space to grow ideas and themes that resonate on a deeper level.

This depth that you'll bring to the table is what will set you apart no matter what trends surface in the vast sea of frameworks being shared on various subject matters and industries...

It's important for you to understand that nurturing the writer's craft is essential. It requires time, patience, and sometimes, a well-timed break. Done right, a sabbatical is far from a loss of productivity—it's an investment in its future.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

-Mathew 6:5-6 & 16-18

The Creative Reset: Unpacking the Benefits of a Writing Sabbatical

Let's walk through some advantages of taking a writing sabbatical. This isn't just about getting a long vacation; it's also about setting the stage for a powerful creative resurgence.

First up, rekindling passion for writing. You see, when you do anything non-stop, the initial love and excitement can fade - it's natural. A sabbatical gives writers that much-needed breathing room to remember why they fell in love with writing about their niche in the first place.

Removed from the daily grind content creators get the opportunity to dabble in genres or techniques they wouldn't normally touch. This kind of experimentation is often the birthplace of groundbreaking ideas.

Then, there's gaining a fresh perspective on stale projects. Ever stared at a piece so long that you can't see the forest for the trees? Stepping away can clear your vision, and upon return, you might just find the missing piece that was eluding you before.

In fact, it's not uncommon for real masterminds to leverage sleep, rest, fasting and other methods to find answers they normally wouldn't come across outside of the deepest stages of sleep where certain brain activity takes place.

Edison may have relied on slumber to spur his creativity. The inventor is said to have napped while holding a ball in each hand, presuming that, as he fell asleep, the orbs would fall to the floor and wake him. This way he could remember the sorts of thoughts that come to us as we are nodding off, which we often do not recall.

- Bret Stetka (scientificamerican.com)

Lastly, let's talk about enhancing mental health and reducing burnout.

The relentless pressure to churn out content can take a toll. A sabbatical acts as a reset button, giving writers the time to recharge and come back stronger, both mentally and physically.

Anne Frank who had every right to fall into the abyss of crippling mental health during her lifetime made history by taking refuge in her writing.

Such breaks adorned her strength and bravery in the form of humane thoughts and beliefs written on paper by a young child, rather than have them suppressed within her heart never to see the light of day after she and her people passed away.

Scratched onto a wall at Auswichtz

Before a tree can bear fruit it starts as a seed in the cold dark ground and in a way, that seed knows that it's meant to be a tree someday.

Heros start out in the darkness of their mother's womb before they grow up to be heros someday.

Therefore, if your regular routine resembled the day and your breaks are like the night, strategically leveraging the inevitable darkness, challenges and adversities in our work and in our lives as a place of rest and conviction can help nourish a powerful mind thriving with new ideas for your next project.

There's a black hole in this town
I like the way it draws me close and drags me down
'Cause I'm the boss, the best around
At what cost? I'm still a clown. And I'm waiting on a sunrise
I'm waiting on a sunrise. Something's gotta break, something's gotta give
I hope it ain't my heart, I hope it ain't my will. I'm waiting on a sunrise.

-Darren Kiely

Overcoming the Guilt: Why It's OK to Take a Break

The world won't stop spinning if you pause to catch your breath, and neither will your career—in fact, it might just thrive from the respite.It's crucial to debunk this myth: that real writers must churn out work non-stop.

Hustle culture is often misunderstood to be something that requires above average expenditure of energy but it's really more about how to use the energy you have naturally in a conservative and more efficient manner.

Writing, like any intense craft, demands periods of active engagement and equally essential periods of rest. Just don't focus too much on perfection; it's the ebbs and flows that make the creative process sustainable.

If you want to keep producing quality content, you have to acknowledge the necessary role of rest. This isn't just a break; it's a critical part of creative work.

Rest is not the antithesis of productivity; it is its partner. It allows you to come back to your projects with clear eyes and recharged creativity. Your next masterpiece may very well depend on it.

Remember, challenging societal expectations comes with the territory of being a content creator. Saying yes to a sabbatical is saying yes to uncharted mental spaces and the unconfined realms of pure creativity. You can always adjust your approach down the road, but for now, giving yourself the space to be free from constraints can spark wonders for your writing.

Once you're convinced that a sabbatical isn't just a luxury but a necessity, you'll realize how fun it is to plan one effectively.

Planning Your Writing Sabbatical: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deciding to take a writing sabbatical is the first big step, but planning it is where the journey really begins. Here's how you can lay the groundwork for a successful break that supports your creative rebirth.

First off, you'll want to define the length of your sabbatical. Is it a month-long pause or a year-long deep dive? This isn't just about marking a date in the calendar; it's also about setting clear intentions for what you hope to achieve. Whether it's writing a novel, learning a new genre, or just finding your muse again, your goals will shape the structure of your time away.

Prepare your writing space. Whether it's a home office, a secluded cabin, or just a quiet corner of your house, choose something that resonates with you. This space should inspire creativity and offer the solitude necessary for deep work.

Remember, you can always adjust your approach down the road if you find your initial setup isn't serving you as well as you hoped.Finally, think about the finer details. Will you follow a strict daily routine, or allow for flexibility? How will you handle the inevitable distractions? Setting boundaries is key.

Good planning can be the difference between a sabbatical that fizzles out and one that fuels your writing for years to come. With your plan in place, you're ready for the next adventure—gathering insights from those who've walked this path before. That's going to include drawing inspiration from their triumphs and preparing for potential pitfalls. If your a fan of Russell Brunson's work, now would be a good time to revisit your dream 100 for example.

When and How to Return: Reintegrating After Your Writing Retreat

I'm going to tackle a question that's as important as the break itself: when and how do you return from a writing sabbatical? It's a delicate dance between preserving the magic of the hiatus and recapturing your space in the literary world.In my opinion, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to knowing exactly when you're ready to come back. But a good indicator is a renewed sense of enthusiasm and a brimming portfolio of ideas.

Feeling energized and eager to share your work is a clear sign that your sabbatical has done its job.Now, you're not just going to transition from a break without a plan.

Carefully strategize how you'll incorporate the insights gained from your retreat into your regular writing process. Choose strategies that resonate with you. Maybe that means setting new routines or refining your existing ones.

Don't worry too much about maintaining every aspect of your sabbatical's tranquility—it's natural for the pace to pick up again. However, you can always adjust your approach down the road. For example, allocate time for deep work or continue some practices that helped you recharge.

Your first attempt at integration doesn't need to be your last. It's about finding balance. If you ever feel overwhelmed, scale back to the essentials you appreciated during your break. Simplify your commitments and focus on what matters most to your craft.

I really hope that you find the rhythm that works for you, preserving the fresh narrative voice and the reflective depth you've cultivated. And remember, it's okay to plan for the next sabbatical. After all, writing is a journey—not a race—and your well-being is instrumental in creating great work. Write or be written for.