There are two types of situations where I need to take breaks.
The first is when I’m stuck. I’m trying to design or write or draw something and it’s going nowhere and I have no new ideas. The only smart thing to do leave it. At least overnight, longer if possible.
When my conscious brain is stuck, my subconscious can take on the problem and do the next thing in its own wavy space away from my stiff stuck rational brain.
The second is when I’m mad.
People do things that make me mad. Then I have horrible thoughts about them and think of sentences and paragraphs to punish them.
When my emotions are threatening to run away with my actions, I need to chain down the actions. Don’t send the email. Don’t reply to the messages. Shut my mouth.
Taking a break gives my slower rational brain a chance to catch up with my emotions. Then I can remember to think the best of people, to come up with more likely explanations than ‘spawn of satan’, to trade accusations for questions.
When you’re stuck,
when you’re mad,
take a break.
You’ll save time
in the long run.
—Jeff
I find my breaks happen in the kitchen. There’s just something about punching down some bread dough…
If my kitchen is too far away for said breaks, a little retail therapy never hurt anything either. 🤫
Grow slowly
Skyler
Both the kitchen and a walk outside hold restorative powers!