I have heard many creatives over the years talk about periods of great productivity, and on the backside, they fall into a lull that seems uncreative, but it’s just a restoration process. The earth isn’t perpetually in the growing season for the same crops, and neither are we. For those of us who experience a true winter, you can see that while there are still plants and animals that thrive in the winter, they aren’t the same ones that flourish in the heat of July. We take breaks. There is a cycle that must be observed.

And I think we humans, although we try to resist it, are much like that.

Lowi and I were planning out the rest of 2024, and when I say planning, I use that term super loosely. One text said, “Hey, when do you want to take a break, and when do you want to come back?” 

I think it’s because we are naturally moving into a more restful and quieter season. That is not to say that we are taking a long hiatus, but I had the thought this morning as I write this that maybe it’s OK to move with the season and allow ourselves to pull back, to let the creativity muse arrive when she’s ready and not force it when she needs a nap. 

Ironically, I was oddly inspired to tell you about being uninspired. Ms. Muse felt it appropriate to give me a little injection of the magic stuff.

Or maybe it’s just that instead of trying to drive my creativity toward holiday cheer, lights, and festivity, I let it take me where it wants. And what I am looking for right now is quiet. It’s not so much quiet in my surroundings because I have that. I am looking for quiet in my mind—quiet beneath my skin. 

Transplanting your life can be exciting and exhilarating, but there comes a point, at least for me, when the constant reverberation begins to feel exhausting. I have reached that point. What I am looking for now are things that I find soothing and calming. I look forward to days that aren’t filled with decision-making as that fatigue has set in. I look forward to feeling like all (or at least most) of the puzzle pieces have found their place.

I excitedly await all the parts of my life being in one place because having them strewn about has been challenging.

I also know that many people are struggling this time of year with the push and pull of the season against their own heartache. I have friends and family still in the deep waters of grief and the backdrop of bells, lights, and joviality feels harsh and bangs too loudly in their ears. 

I think it’s fair to say that some years, our hearts are whole and ready to swing into the season with full gusto, and others, we want to only crack a window and close it when needed. 

Maybe we can make space for both. Some seasons are for rest and restoration, and others are for frivolity and festivity. Whichever one you find yourself in, let it be OK. Let it be.