Rest Series (8/8): Creative Rest
Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to dance. Dance has always inspired me even though I have two left feet and can’t quite keep a rhythm. I can’t always describe why I have wanted to dance. It is not necessarily my life calling or passion. I guess the thing that intrigues me the most is the movement and being in flow with a beat.
As the winter changed and I began to rest a part of me wanted to dance.
It felt like now was the time. So, I began dancing. I joined a local dance studio and began the adult hip hop class in March. In May, I had my first performance.
As I sit here reflecting on these past six months of dance, I have learned a thing or two about myself and creative rest. Each time I go, I work through uncomfortable emotions.
As I mentioned earlier, dance does not come easily to me. The challenge of choreography, the beat, and moving my body in a certain way is hard and also exhilarating. Freeing. I have also learned that I judge myself more than others judge me.
People in the dance community are so welcoming, so giving, and honestly just want people to learn to dance.
Because dance has this calming, freeing, inspiring aspect to it. Being in the body is beautiful and powerful. I also leave in a better mood and more grounded. I guess this is what creative rest can give us.
Creative rest gives us a moment of pause and an ability to be present. At our core, we are creative people. Creativity can look different for everyone. The important part is to tap into something inspiring on whatever level that is and take moments to see how you feel along the way.
“And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.” I Hope You Dance, Lee Ann Womack
Looking for creative rest. Try some of these things -
Read something inspiring
Watch something inspiring
Let go of the pressure to create
Be playful in creative endeavors
Be curious and try something new
Surround yourself with people who are doing something you find inspiring
Be spontaneous and take the day off
Do something you wouldn’t normally do
Finger paint
Dance in your kitchen
Let me know which creative rest you try and what your experience was. I would love to hear. Good luck on your journey and remember to have fun with this one.
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