Wintering For Creatives: Embracing Rest and Reflection for Growth
As we enter the season of Winter, it’s time to embrace the concept of ‘Wintering’ – a period of introspection, rest, and renewal. This is a crucial phase in our journey as Femme Fatale Freelancers, where we slow down to reflect, plan, and prepare for the vibrant growth that follows.
Getting paid to be creative comes with plenty of challenges and remaining connected to your creative flow is one of them. This can be especially challenging when you become booked out as a freelancer or creative service provider! The more booked out you are the more you feel the pressure to be “on” all the time.
In fact, being booked out as a service provider is not sustainable if you want to provide consistent, high-quality work. However, you can dramatically increase your capacity and reconnect to your natural flow with these tips for Wintering even if you’re not overly spiritual.
Understanding Wintering
Wintering is not just a season; it’s a metaphor for those phases in life and business where things seem to slow down, where growth appears dormant. It’s a natural cycle of ebb and flow, mirroring the natural world where winter is a time for conservation of energy and preparation for the spring ahead.
The Importance of Rest
In our fast-paced, productivity-focused world, rest is often undervalued. However, rest is not idleness; it’s an essential process for creativity and growth. Wintering allows us to step back, recharge our mental and emotional batteries, and gain clarity. It’s a time to nourish our bodies and minds, ensuring we’re ready for the active phases of our work.
Embracing the Slow Pace
Wintering teaches us the value of slowing down. In a culture that often equates speed with success, it’s important to recognize the power of taking things at a slower pace. This doesn’t mean halting progress; it means moving forward with intention and mindfulness.
How Can You Thrive While Resting Through This Winter If You Struggle With Self-Care and Slowing Down?
One of the primary reasons I believe so many women struggle with maintaining a self-care routine is all of the pressure involved with doing these activities that often aren’t enjoyable and when we don’t feel how we think we should about them it introduces shame into the equation. If you have been shaming yourself through self-care you’re kinda missing the whole point my love.
1. Reflect With Grace: Do You Practice Self-Forgiveness?
Step one is self-forgiveness and giving yourself permission to do things that you instintually know are good for you even when you don’t feel like it because you know it will build your self-esteem and confidence in the long run.
2. Why Not Surrender With Watercolors?
One of my all-time favorite tools for helping creative women let go of control so their skills can truly flourish is to introduce a meditative practice of wet-on-wet watercolor painting. This technique requires that you put plain water on the page before randomly dropping in watercolors and seeing where they go. It is wildly soothing and reassuring if you struggle with control issues or perfectionism. If you do use watercolors please come share your work inside my community for Wildly Creative Women on Facebook.
3. Make An Effort To Play Outside Even When Its Cold
Nurturing your relationship with mother nature and your connection to the wild is undoubtedly one of the most meaningful ways you can nurture your creative skillset. There is so much you can learn about yourself, your craft, light, darkness, and life that will transform your work by spending time outside every day.
I spend an average of 4 hours outside per day with my puppy surrounded by bees and butterflies from the gardens while the birds and squirrels play in the trees overhead and it truly impacts the quality of my work and life. (I live in Florida so I have it easy) but I used to run and go for long walks when I lived in NY and I will again when we move north again soon.
4. Ready For A Digital Detox Yet?
When you are the one primarily responsible for marketing yourself the temptation to be plugged in around the clock can be strong. However, your body and brain need a break my love. Especially if you’re still forcing yourself through the toxic rat race of social media marketing vs. long-term marketing strategies that are more sustainable.
It might feel impossible but I promise walking away from all of your devices for at least 7-10 days this Winter will allow you to work much more efficiently moving forward. I try to do this at least twice per year and whenever hurricanes come through I get an extra break which I secretly love.
Check out the presentation I have embeded for you below for some additional strategies you can leverage this winter to nourish your creativity and make 2024 your best year in freelance yet.
