Take a Creative Vacation
No an out-of-office reply necessary
It’s currently 80 degrees and I’m writing this by the pool. In February. I know, my fellow New Yorkers hate me.
What began as a 10-day trip to LA during the Grammys has turned into a spontaneous sabbatical — and I’ve never been more productive.
I needed a creative vacation.
There’s a specific kind of burnout that comes from living in New York City. Don’t get me wrong. I ❤️ NY. The rise-and-grind life flexes your hustler, go-getter muscle. You have to be smart, fast, and always on. Otherwise, someone will push you outta the way. Literally.
But creativity comes from curiosity... and rest.
Being in a new place has forced me out of my comfort zone. I didn’t realize how much my life was on cruise control.
In LA, I’ve been challenged to find my new normal. I’ve been figuring out a routine, seeing new and old friends, and getting lost in a city that doesn’t walk. And the slower tempo and sunlight has been great for my mental and physical health.
It’s been lovely discovering new things; the farmer’s market, stumbling into a vinyl store around the corner or posting up at my go-to neighborhood coffee shop.
Even daily tasks are an opportunity for delight. Translation: FINALLY having a dishwasher and washer/dryer in the apartment.
I’m currently on the final stretch of editing my next book, The Blueprint: Roc-A-Fella Records and the Culture of Capitalism (which drops in fall). As authors know, edits are probably the least enjoyable and glamorous part of the book writing process.
But for some reason, I’ve been absolutely loving it. I think it’s because I’m in a new space with a new perspective.
In case you need the nudge, this is your sign. Go take a creative vacation. Be a digital nomad. Hell, just get outta dodge for a little bit.
You deserve it.