The Art of the Pause: Trusting Creative Seasons
- vivysart70
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
If I wasn’t producing, I felt behind. If I wasn’t inspired, I felt blocked. If I wasn’t moving forward, I assumed something was wrong with me.
But over time, and after repeating this cycle more than once, I’m learning that not every season is for blooming.
Some seasons are for rooting.
The pause looks like nothing (but it isn’t)
A creative pause often looks like:
quiet
waiting
uncertainty
low energy
distraction
“I should be painting, but I’m not.”
But underneath, something can be happening that doesn’t show on the surface yet:
your taste is refining
your eyes are resetting
your mind is gathering new inputs
your heart is processing life
your next body of work is forming quietly
What I do during a pause (so I don’t panic)
When I feel the pause, I try a few steady practices:
1) I stay close to beauty. Museums. Books. Nature. Interiors. Color palettes. Old work. Anything that reminds me of what I love.
2) I do low-stakes creating. Sketching, mark-making, organizing inspiration boards, anything that keeps my hands moving without pressure.
3) I practice trust. This is the hardest one. Trust that I’m not “losing it.” Trust that I’m still an artist even when I’m quiet.
Faith and the studio
In my life, faith has taught me that growth isn’t always loud. Some of the most important things God does are hidden at first.
So when I’m in a pause, I try to remember: A pause isn’t a dead end. It’s a deep breath.
A gentle nudge, if you need one
If you’re reading this and you’re in your own pause, creative or otherwise, here’s what I’d say to you like a friend:
You don’t have to force fruit. You just have to stay present.
One small act of faithfulness today is enough.
And when you’re ready, the canvas will still be there.
If you’d like to see what’s currently available (or keep up with new pieces as they’re released), I’d love to have you visit vivfineart.com.
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