Next month I’m taking a creative sabbatical.
What is a creative sabbatical?
Well, I foolishly thought I’d coined the term but apparently not. It’s a time-out for recovering from burnout or recharging creative batteries. A way to let some different stuff in or get some different stuff out.
I’m not a big vacation-taker, preferring to steal days here and there to catch up with friends or immerse myself in TV boxsets. The idea of an entire month away from my routine is freaky and fabulous.
For me this creative sabbatical is a structured way to work on a personal creative project. Something I’ve wanted to do for years, something that has nothing to do with work or business or anything. To be honest I’m not sure what it does have to do with. Which I find somewhat terrifying and excruciatingly exciting.
As someone for whom guilt and expectation are like dilithium crystals of fuel, warp-driving me through all kind of jobs and obligations for which I have neither passion nor particular talent, this is huge.
My Creative Sabbatical Strategy
I don’t have too much of a plan. Though I do have a creative sabbatical strategy of sorts:
- If you’ve done 7 Days To An Organized Home Office then you’ll know I use zones to delineate work versus personal projects in my office. This helps me access the right kind of motivation and mindset more readily.
- I’m upgrading my laptop and will only use that for creative stuff. When I power up that computer in that zone, my creative brain will (I hope) wake up and join the party.
- I’ve got a book list for bedtime reading and free moments. It includes The Art Of Non-Conformity, The War Of Art, On Writing, and The Creative Habit. I may read all or none (probably the latter!), but having them on my desk is fun.
- I’d like to re-watch Joseph Campbell‘s documentary series The Power Of Myth. Every time, it blows my mind.
- I’ll aim to do Morning Pages most days. This really helps me clear the mental sludge.
- I have a general target for what I’d like to achieve each day. (If you’ve done 7 Days To Better Productivity & Time Management then you’ll know what I mean – I’ve set my output meter with specific magic activities.) I want to keep myself to this target. It’s the only thing I plan to be strict about.
But don’t worry – I’m leaving you in great hands!
Throughout August Kylie Browne, our community manager, will be looking after the Facebook page and weekly Get Organized newsletter. She has some great stuff planned! And customer support will be their usual helpful selves at HelpDesk@GetOrganizedWizard.com.
I’ll be back in September. I have no idea what things will look like then, but I’m super excited to find out!
Creative Sabbatical Or Mental Health Day?
Have you ever taken a creative sabbatical? A mental health day?
If you take creative time off, what do you do with it?
How do you recharge your work motivation or creative juices?
Good on you, Michele. It sounds smart and I bet it will be rewarding no matter what you decide to do. For myself, I try to make Sundays my weekly day-off. With the rare exception, the computer stays off for the day and I avoid shopping. I may use the day to do some baking, do a jam session with friends, catch up on sleep or watching tv, or journal, etc. It helps re-enrgize me 🙂 Looking forward to hearing all about your creative sabbatical and discoveries!
Congratulation Michele. Great baby steps to stepping off the treadmill… I stepped of eight years ago after 25 years spinning around and around… My entire life is now a Creative Sabbatical, so I highly recommend the lifestyle… Every day is a delightful mystery. Enjoy the process <3.
May your creative juices be stimulated to flow producing even more than what you desire.
What a great idea- kinda hoping I can do something similar soon.
Kudos to you Michele! I suspect it will be a fabulous month for you. What a great idea! Enjoy your well deserved “Creative Sabbatical” (love the title). You will be missed but knowing all is in the great hands of Kylie is a blessing. Since I never have taken a creative sabbatical myself, I look forward to what I can learn from your experience. See you in September!
It’s well deserved. What will you dream up during your creative month off? We look forward to new material written by Michele! My group is looking forward to your new e-books.
Great idea Michele! I try to take 5 day retreat once a year. I pack up books, yoga supplies, paper, computer, markers, journal, and pampering supplies (bubble bath, lotions, etc) and go to a bed and breakfast. I have written goals for this retreat and usually manage to accomplish most of them. I concentrate and bringing my vision and my life back to center and find my balance again. I love it – I always feel so good when I return and life feels simple and on track.
You deserve a break! If you do dive into the reading pile, I highly recommend On Writing. The first part is more of an autobiography and Im not sure you’d agree with Mr. King’s organization of his workspace, but you will enjoy the book. As always, his writing is outstanding and will keep you interested.
Well done you! I returned from a month off one month ago now. Let me assure you it is SO WORTH IT! Like you I had books (audio version for me) – I listened to 1 of the 7 – one day I actually fell asleep at the pool. I fell asleep in a semi public place- LOL – I never would have believed I could get quite that chilled out. It was Brilliant. I had no definate expectations about what I would get out of it….the results of my down time are are subtle but present. Sometimes when I’m really in it – I cant see the wood for the trees. It was so good for me and my business that Ive decided to do this in some format every yearfrom now on. We are so worth it right? And so are our families, friends and clients – they reap the rewards too.
I’m so excited for you! I’m taking a “maternity” sabbatical once my little one arrives in the next couple weeks. With all that time off, I’m hoping to have a little non-baby time to do a few things for myself (not holding breath though!). I can’t wait to hear what you think of On Writing by Stephen King. It’s a fabulous book. I very much enjoy his take on adverbs. Best wishes on a productive and creative break!
Under ‘Dr’s orders’ to take time off. This is a great way to approach it. Thank you.
I’m very happy and excited for you Michele 🙂 I may do the same in August 2014!
I love your idea, Michele, and your strategy sounds perfect to accomplish it. (I’d also love to know what your personal creative project is; perhaps you’ll tell us when you return 🙂 I’ve never been brave enough to do this-your comment: “As someone for whom guilt and expectation are like dilithium crystals of fuel, warp-driving me through all kind of jobs and obligations for which I have neither passion nor particular talent, this is huge.” pretty much sums up my current method of productivity, but I look forward to hearing about your journey, and I know it will increase my motivation to break free from the mundane! Have a great month!
I love your idea, Michele, and your strategy sounds perfect to accomplish it. (I’d also love to know what your personal creative project is; perhaps you’ll tell us when you return 🙂 I’ve never been brave enough to do this-your comment: “As someone for whom guilt and expectation are like dilithium crystals of fuel, warp-driving me through all kind of jobs and obligations for which I have neither passion nor particular talent, this is huge.” pretty much sums up my current method of productivity, but I look forward to hearing about your journey, and I know it will increase my motivation to break free from the mundane! Have a great month!
I have a phenomenal mind, I’m usually out of it;-).