Rest & Creativity as Resistance
- Lisa Burchartz
- Feb 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 17
How often do you measure your worth by your productivity vs creativity?
A) Constantly - I feel guilty when I'm not being productive
B) Often - My accomplishments are a big part of how I see myself
C) Sometimes - I try to balance productivity with other aspects of life
If you answered "A" or "B", you're not alone.
Our society has placed immense pressure on women to equate their worth with productivity and self-sacrifice. This norm has led to a culture of burnout, where rest is often seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. However, embracing rest—through activities like art-making, music, creative writing, dancing, and time in nature—can be a powerful form of resistance and reclamation.
By prioritizing meaningful restorative practices, women create space to reconnect with themselves, challenge societal expectations and nurture their well-being, fostering resilience and strength.
Recent neuroscience research validates ancient yogic wisdom: creativity and innovation thrive when the mind is at rest. During these periods, the brain engages in "mind-wandering," fostering unexpected connections and fresh ideas. This process, known as REST (random episodic silent thinking), activates complex brain regions, enhancing our ability to make novel associations.
These restorative moments promote recovery and rejuvenation, setting the stage for sustained productivity. Mind-wandering can improve creativity, mood, and job performance in certain tasks. Importantly, this rest phase is as crucial as active problem-solving for long-term success, allowing for deeper introspection and more concrete goal-setting.
By embracing periods of mental idleness, we can tap into our brain's default mode network, fostering innovation without intense effort or concentration. This approach to creativity aligns with the brain's natural tendencies, making it an effortless yet powerful tool for enhancing our imaginative capabilities.
"Nervous system regulation, emotional intelligence and somatic mindfulness are powerful foundations for getting to know ourselves on a deep level," - says Somatic Mindfulness Teacher Lynn Fraser, whom I've had the privilege of studying with for the past 3.5 years.
"Knowing who we are as a person in this life makes us stronger and less vulnerable to social and emotional attacks from others. Knowing 'I AM' more than my body, thoughts, and circumstances is another layer of wisdom and strength."
Anchored in strength, we no longer have to brace for inner critic attacks. We have more confidence and less anxiety. Stressors and the day-to-day trauma of living and working in a toxic, "power over" culture become less destabilizing, and life "works" better.
What arises for you as you read these words from Trisha Hersey? What would change if you embraced your inherent worth independent of your output?
On a personal note, I'm leaning into the discomfort of slowing down. It's a daily practice of choosing presence over disconnection, honouring my body's need for renewal, and redefining success in more human terms.
Reflection:
- What beliefs about your value are tied to your productivity?
- How might embracing rest as resistance change your life and work?
- What small step can you take today to prioritize your well-being and regulate your nervous system? What support might you need?
Dysfunctional systems profit from our exhaustion, choosing rest is a revolutionary act. You are already enough – you are extraordinary, exactly as you are, without doing one more thing.
Join the rest revolution– it begins with closing our laptops, taking deep breaths, and remembering that our worth was never meant to be measured in productivity metrics.
Are you ready to join the resistance?
Here's a Deep Resting Practice to Try: "Meditation on Still Lake in Moonlight" - with Lynn Fraser
In this practice, Lynn uses the mantra "so ham" (meaning "I am that for which I've searched all my life") to find stillness within. As you breathe, imagine the mantra as a gently spinning pearl on a moonlit lake, guiding you to deep inner peace. This practice can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a state of calm and safety.
If you'd like to cultivate a daily somatic mindfulness practice, join Lynn live (for free) at 8 am EST, 7 days a week (you'll see me there most days).
References:
[1] "How Rest Fuels Innovation and Problem-Solving," iSense mattress, April 2, 2024
[2] Maddy Savage, "Why women are more burned out than men," BBC Worklife, September 29, 2021
[3] Lynn Fraser, "Strength and Resilience 2025: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY9qYvQsQewBaHsRlIhQoP5XKmZPPQiy7
[4] Tricia Hersey, "We Will Rest - The Art of Escape," November 9, 2024 https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/
[5]Lynn Fraser, "Meditation on Still Lake in Moonlight with Mantra So Ham," Insight Timer, https://insighttimer.com/lynnfraser/guided-meditations/meditation-on-still-lake-in-moonlight-with-mantra-so-ham