I need to admit something.
I am TERRIBLE when it comes to taking a break if I am engrossed in something. If I am working on something, it is REALLY easy for me to get tunnel vision and become so engrossed that I don’t keep track of time or meals.
It’s really bad. I’ve started to put timers on my phone to remind myself to take a break, but it’s much harder to do in a more general, day-to-day sense. For the past few weeks I’ve been so focused on my art that I haven’t been able to set aside time to do other things that I enjoy, like cook, read, or play video games. And it’s starting to show.
I’ve been so focused on art that I’ve become stressed about making sure I do everything I can to be as visible as possible on social media short of spending money on promotions. Social media algorithms have been working against artists lately, but I have continually pushed myself to persevere through it all because everyone always says that if you work hard enough for something, you’ll eventually get it, right?
I feel like not enough people say that you need to balance all of that hard work with breaks to reinvigorate yourself and to actually take care of yourself. I’ve gotten sick from not eating or getting outside just to spend time to be human and enjoy the world around me. It’s very hard for me to take a break, but I’m working on it.
This weekend I forced myself to not draw anything as my wrist was starting to hurt. I did some cleaning around the apartment, I picked up my Nintendo Switch to play Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and I slept in without having to worry about pumping out more work. Honestly, that helped out so much, that I think I’ll need to put in more free time in my planner to make sure that this happens more often. I’ll block out time to play video games, time to cook, time to go outside and see friends or family, etc.
I really hope you guys do the same. Take care of yourselves. Take breaks frequently; go text your friend to see if they wanna hang out at a cafe for a bit, read a book you haven’t read in a while, pet your dog or cat or ferret or any other companions you have, cook a meal you haven’t eaten in a while. Remember that you’re always doing the best you can, and to be able to do your best, you need to be taken care of first.
I believe in you!
