How to create when you are tired

Does the end of the year feel like it’s running away, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it? As I sit in this lounge on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, it certainly feels that way. After all the shopping, and driving around, and housework – phew! I feel like there’s no energy left for creating. To be quite honest, I feel like taking a very long nap (or hibernating for about a week).

But here I am, using this weariness to fuel a post topic.

Brain muddled from lists and things to get done, body ready to fall asleep, what does He call me to today?

Each day will bring a different call from God. Different things to do, and think, and see. Some days it is a matter of getting up and carrying on. But today, I feel called to sit in the stillness and create carefully, to find rest in the words, in the process.

“But writing is tiring, it’s the last thing I feel like doing” my mind may tell me. But the truth is, there aren’t rules on creating, there’s no amount of words I must reach, no number of minutes or hours I need to create for.

So, what are some literal ways of creating when we are super tired? Let’s get practical.

My list of 10 restful creative practices:

• Pray for a dream from God and go take a nap!

Who says a nap is out of the picture! Getting inspired by God through dreams is one of the main ways I come up with story ideas. All while I’m asleep!

• Draw something (anything!) for five or ten minutes.

Remind yourself that it’s only going to be a few minutes. If you’re not inspired after those minutes, it’s all done – and you created something.

• Lay down, listen to music, and brainstorm about your book.

One of my favourite things to do, tired or not. This time could produce some of your greatest ideas! Maybe choose the peaceful songs and think about a quiet part of the book?

• Edit one page of a manuscript.

Again, it’s not a massive undertaking. Promise yourself that one page, one is better than none!

• Sit and fiddle on an instrument.

Playing around on a guitar or piano (the only two instruments I’ve learnt so far) is always restful to me. Especially when it’s a peaceful little song you’re figuring out.

• Knit and watch a movie.

If you just need to zone out for a bit, why not create something that doesn’t need your entire brain capacity while watching something?

• Sit and look out the window, write down any song lyrics that come to you.

I find that sitting off my phone in the present moment is always more restful than on my phone, or watching something. So why not let the quiet carry song lyrics to mind?

• Write a scene you’re looking forward to, even if you’re not up to it yet.

There aren’t any rules on what you’re aloud to write in your book. Treat yourself and write something you’re excited about, or maybe even a scene you know you won’t include in the final story.

• Write a one page story with a friend or family member.

This way the creating isn’t all on you. You have someone to bounce off, who is possibly more energetic than you.

• Close your eyes and try to imagine something wild and crazy.

Let your imagination run wild, think up the most ridiculous thing possible, or something that doesn’t make sense in the real world.

That’s the end of my list, feel free to add any additional ideas you may have, and store it away for a weary day (or use immediately as may be).

Have fun with whatever you’re doing, and remember to rest when you need it. Don’t burn yourself out, where you could rest and complete the task in a more God honoring way.

Enjoy the times of quiet creativity and remember that God doesn’t require a certain level of creating all the time. He will use whatever it is that your “all” looks like today.