permission to rest

I want to tell you that you do not have to be creative right now.

These are unusual times. Emotional. Confronting. There are a lot of messages out there telling you that this is the perfect time to write that book. Use this time to start the passion project that has been on your list. Harness your creativity and get on-line quick!

I want to tell you that you do not have to do this.

If you cannot focus because we have been forced to abandon life as we know it, that is perfectly understandable. If you cannot put words and pictures together because you are raw and frightened right now, that is one hundred percent okay.

If you need to spend the day in bed, that’s okay too.
If you are not prepared to draft up an inspirational homeschool schedule and be crafting with the kids from dawn till dusk, then don’t. Forget it. Do not force yourself to be that person right now.

We have been called to isolate and this is hugely significant. Let me tell you that isolation is so much more than productivity. In fact it is about stopping the endless cycle of productivity. It is about vulnerability.

Isolation is a place of shadow. Of acceptance. Of struggle and of peace. Can you see the multitudes all at play here simultaneously? No wonder we are up and down, riding an emotional rollercoaster.  Your body, mind and heart are all on over drive right now, despite the fact that you are not going anywhere.

You do not have TO DO anything. You do not have to force anything.

There is a vital place in the cycle of creativity. One that is experienced by every artist, every person, every animal, every plant, every environment on this planet. We call it THE FERTILE VOID. The winter. The time when we lie dormant. When we are asked to be still. This retreat is intrinsic and vital to our survival.

If you are being invited to surrender, then do so. You are allowed.

If you are struggling to keep up, then stop. Rest. Do only the most essential of tasks. Know that what is outside of your control cannot be tamed by stress, fear and force. There are other ways to cope and strengthen ourselves then the relentless pro-activity that is so glorified. You are not being unrealistic or lazy. Quite the opposite. You are honouring your self.

(Artwork by me is available in small and large sizes – learn more)

It takes courage to support yourself and retreat when everyone else is running on high FEAR at a hundred miles an hour.

We are being asked to give ourselves over to stillness. To reconnect with ourselves and our families.

It is a space of being present with and for each other and that is not necessarily light, easy or smooth.

If this is you, take heart. Take solace.

The fertile void is not about force. It is not about relentlessly pulling creativity out of our over worked minds.

In this void all is quiet but so much is happening. The fibres of your being are re-aligning and reorganising. Your soul is healing. Your nerves are calming.

Rest is strength. Rest is essential to survival. To regrowth. 

Please don’t under estimate your need for it. You will flourish again when the time is right. Your soul knows exactly what it needs.

Erin xx