When to rest: a necessary interlude to restore your creative spirit this summer.
How to take an actual break from writing, thinking about writing, and feeling guilty for not writing.
Summer is officially upon us in the Northern Hemisphere, its fingers frizzing our hair, its breath hot against our necks and knees, its sunny disposition an invitation for us to step away from screens and writing utensils and celebrate nature’s unfurling by reading breezy books and consuming grilled meat and ice cream in terrifying quantities. For those of us who experience the four seasons, summer is what we long for: a break from the work-eat-sleep monotony and a much-anticipated period of rest.
Traditionally, summer has not been a creative season for me, though I do have updated goals and a regular writing practice I aim to maintain throughout this year. In the month of June, however, I’ve found myself slowing down, focused more on revision and submission than creating new material. Even after a productive first half of 2026, I am left feeling guilty over what seems to be a natural and seasonal transition toward self-restoration. But one thing that feeling guilty 24/7 is not good for: actually enjoying my rest!
With two week-long vacation periods coming my way in early July and mid-August, I am determined to set myself up for complete relaxation mode, which includes a break from writing and all associated worries. It’s healthy and necessary to step away from even your most beloved activities to avoid burnout and renew energy around said activity. While this can be difficult with writing—it is an activity you can do most anywhere at any time—the emotional and mental strain of such a creative pursuit is more than worth regular, if brief, interludes.
So looking ahead to my first break July 1-6, I am utilizing the rest of June to put my head down, meet personal deadlines, and set myself up for a full respite from writing. There will be no expectations during this time to produce or think about story ideas, though my hope will be to return to my craft feeling refreshed and ready to create. This week, I’m sharing three ways I’m preparing myself for some well-deserved time off. (Well deserved? Even this is hard for me to say!) If you have time off planned this summer, I hope these tips might help you, too.
Make your own deadlines and meet them.
July 1 marks the start of my first break, so my hard stop on writing work will be end of day June 30. With so much of writing being feelings-based for me, I posed this question to myself: What do I need to accomplish by June 30 to enjoy my vacation time with a positive, restful attitude?
Here is the list that came to mind:
Finalize the second draft of a short story I am workshopping mid-July
Finalize a flash fiction piece for July submission
Write second drafts of two flash pieces
I’ve got my marching orders, and by writing this list just now, I am validated by something I’ve felt but now know: I am struggling to produce new stories because I have so many works in progress that need wrapped up first. It’s difficult to push forward when a handful of half-finished stories are dithering in my drafts folder.
This goal feels achievable, and I am dedicating one to two evenings per story through the end of June. All the projects are in decent-ish shape as well, so I can spend this time working on line edits and story cohesion.
So I pose my question to you: Before your break, what do you need to accomplish to fully enjoy your time away? It can be a challenging goal, but make it achievable and actionable (complete this scene/story, write 1,000 words, submit to three magazines, etc).
Take an intentional screen break.
Since reaping the benefits of my tech fast in February and being on again/off again with social media since then, I know it’s time for a clean break from apps during my vacation periods. I’ve been struggling with my social media use lately, which has fed into my guilt over lack of creative output. I would posit my screen time has been my brain’s secret way of telling me I need a vacation but also a method to continue feeling “productive” by scrolling and consuming pointless content. The end result being, I waste my resting hours scrolling and never feel fully refreshed or inspired.
I will be decreasing my social media usage for the remainder of June and explicitly deleting apps before vacation. My time, my attention, and my rest will be my own. In this space, alone with our thoughts or during intentional quality time with loved ones, is where we find true rejuvenation. Leisure is never found through a phone screen. It’s found in quiet moments, in slow mornings, peaceful evenings, and meaningful conversations.
Bring a book (and a small notepad and pen).
I may be taking a break from actively writing, but reading—an absolute necessity for all writers—is a related activity I rarely go a day without doing. Reading is my brain’s form of exercise, the place I find inspiration and unspoken advice for my own creative endeavors. This break, I’ll be focused on two book club picks: Ann Patchett’s Whistler for my family book club and George Saunders’s A Swim in a Pond in the Rain for my local writing group book club. Both authors I’ve read before and look forward to revisiting.
I won’t be writing, but I plan to bring along a small notebook to capture any fleeting thoughts. Often in these periods of rest are when story ideas come to mind, and committing them to paper feels more intentional than pulling up my Notes app. I am not placing expectations upon myself to fill the notebook or even one page, but it will be there if I need it, a small tether to my creative outlet while I take a much-needed breather.
So get your emotional support book and notepad ready! Reading naturally decompresses me, so it’s nice to have on standby during the many days I will spend socializing with loved ones around the July 4th holiday. These items can keep you connected to your writing while still allowing you the break you deserve.
If it’s not apparent by now, I crave structure in most corners of my life. But this summer, I want to specifically use it in my favor to complete some back-burner projects and clear space for new stories, and more importantly, time for rest.
Do you plan creative breaks around your summer vacation plans, and if so, what does that look like in preparation and in practice? I’d love to hear from you and hope you’re having a great start to your summer.
What I’m Reading
Whistler by Ann Patchett
A middle-aged woman reconnects with her former step-father at the Metropolitan Museum of Art after a decades-long estrangement. I am a big Patchett fan and thrilled that we’re reading her newest work for my family book club next month.
I believe that you will be much refreshed after your vacation times and ready to go with fresh ideas when you pick up the pen and paper again. ❤️