How do you relax after a big creative project?

[aqua03]

Maybe. I was planning on doing some general art studies and exercises during my break to sharpen my skills during my break as well.

[Jay_Tanburn]

Oddly enough, I would say that rather than stopping work altogether, you just begin another project but rather than take it too seriously just chill with it. Let the process slide by and it will seem more relaxing than continuously working fast-pace.

IDK though, since I usually am more of a school-work kind of person than a creative project person.

[aqua03]

I think I might do something like that, now that you mention it. I'll play it by ear and at least rest for a few days as well.

[nostalgicroxas]

Binge play a video game that I enjoy. I have two or three standby's that I just love to play yearly, some more mindless than others. Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy 10, Ocarina of Time.... It's great to just sit and absorb a story told in different ways that doesn't take up too much time. (I'd play Tales of Symphonia, but that game always takes longer than 20hrs lol)

[Shanny8]

Take some days off- get away from the computer...watch movies/TV shows/anime or play video games.

[RocketAxxonu]

When I first saw the headline for this topic, I was going to say, 'Rush ahead with the next project!!' ...But, having read the post now, I see that would defeat the point, lol.

Basically, the way I try to mentally approach my projects is something like this: I find that it's directly after I've finished something up that I have a ton of creative momentum, so I try to lean hard into that, especially if it's something I'm really motivated and excited to do. Rather, it's actually more during the middle of a project that I find I need to stop and make myself take a break.

This is for two reasons mainly--one, it's the middle part of a project where the initial excitement of a new project has worn off but the end isn't close enough to provide motivation that I find I tend to get the most bogged down, starting to hate how things look. (This is the opposite of my instinct because sometimes it feels like if things aren't going well, I just want to keep forcing it to try to get things back on track.) Two, I find when I'm being motivated purely by the satisfaction of feeling finished with something I tend to rush the work and in the end don't produce something as good as if I made myself go away from it so as to come back mentally refreshed.

So I say going ahead with the next project isn't a bad thing, especially if you are feeling particularly motivated and excited about it. (Now, if you're just doing it because you're stuck in the workaholic mindset and too exhausted to change modes, that might be a good time to make yourself step back and do something relaxing.)

Anyway, some ways I like to relax are by reading and playing video games. I'll also look up ways to use tools on programs more efficiently and learn new programs on things I'd been curious about for awhile, though usually those are a procrastination tactic more than relaxing, lol. (Which, to an extent I admit I embrace useful procrastination, because there are lots of things I should do that I know I won't do otherwise.)

[mcarrowolga]

Sleeping, then reading in bed, then sleeping again. Always.
It's the luxury of our age.

[DeleteThisAccountFag]

(post withdrawn by author, will be automatically deleted in 24 hours unless flagged)

[rajillustration]

I physically remove myself from my work environment--which is difficult to do nowadays what with a pandemic, but going out on a hike, getting a treat with some friends, basically just...getting as far as I can from this cave I work in.

[shapeshiftingmel]

I also often feel the urge to rush to the next big project after finishing one as I think I should take advantage of my motivation and be even more productive, but that is, just like you've said, not the best idea in regards to your health. It could indeed cause you to burn out (which has happened to me a couple of times before and I'm tellin' ya, it is not pretty).

To prevent that from happening, I try to ease myself into it, meaning I try to work less and less before I reach a point when it's best to take a break. What I often do is planning the days on which I promise myself not to touch anything related to my projects. My computer and my phone are turned off on those days. I dedicate myself to self-care: I take long walks, cook in peace, read something or listen to an audiobook or try to catch up with movies I haven't had the time to watch because of all the work. Taking a hot bath is also incredibly relaxing and gives you the opportunity to stop thinking about your next project.

Those are the things I personally do. Maybe they might help you, maybe not. This is something that depends on each person, but I'm sure there is a way for you to relax a little before running to the next big workload

[Kelheor]

I don't
Lying in a bed for a week doing nothing and going outside helped a bit.
Just give yourself time. Try to recharge emotionally, watch or read something new for future inspiration, go for more walks if you can ^^

[Azifri]

You guys are such workaholics xD Whether it's art or my other job, when I finish a project I proceed to store away all remnants of the project, either physically or digitally, and take at least a week off from everything. If I can't take time off, I'll reduce work to a minimum.

[jcmraz]

i don't lol I had a massive push for the Webtoon short story contest where I was working almost constantly on 2 comics simultaneously. Now I'm only working on 1 again but I have new things in my life that take up time too. Basically if I finish something I breathe and then get to work on the next thing.

[CommanderMarty]

I go to the next big project that's how I relax.

[faisalhussein394]

My advice for you is take a long break, and during your break time, you could spend some time learning something new that could benefit your project or if you want to expand your knowledge on something you like, have interest in, or anything that has some benefits, and during your breaks, you can continue your next project but not to take it seriously at a fast pace but slow and relaxing progress.

That is what I'm planning to do once I'm done with my first chapter.

[Jay_Tanburn]

Being workaholics is fun sometimes, lol. But true, putting every bit of work away is more healthy than continuously working.

[thedude3445]

I usually start on a small, low-key project as a way to relax after a big one, and then inevitably that small project turns into a really big one as well, and the cycle continues.

[allenT]

Rest more, work some personal small projects in a relaxed pace (no deadlines). Or travel locally for awhile, get some inspirations for next project along the way

[Possum]

A few months ago, while working through University, as well as working nearly full time, plus working at a game studio in my down time, I had what i'd consider a bit of a mental breakdown. I basically was unable to function for a few weeks, but had to as I had so many commitments, deadlines, the works.

It wasn't until my boyfriend stepped in and basically helped me get through it that I realized being busy and productive constantly is impossible. The work I was putting out wasn't my best as I was pulling myself in 20 directions to be as productive as possible. I gained like two stone this year from the amount of stress I put myself under and developed an eating disorder.

I'm better now, but I have a dedicated time I set out for doing me stuff and it's important that I fulfil that requirement every day. My me time is something as simple as just switching off my laptop and watching some tv. Or cooking. or chatting to family on the phone. It's easily achievable stuff that I can do without much worry or prerequisite time requirement. Don't spend energy on trying to have the perfect me time just try and get yourself in a place where the downtime becomes your time to recharge and more importantly, allow yourself to be unproductive and dont torture yourself over it. It's fine to not be doing something all the time. Long projects are hard to deal with because it feels like we cannot rest, but trust me, that deadline can go back a few days if it means you're in a better position for it.

Prioritize you.

[gmaximin]

Might sound cheesy, but when I'm off a big project and allowed not to go into the next one (meaning no crazy deadline), then it's family time (child, wife, parents, pet... whoever is available)... it's always a good way to help balance priorities, and to provide new perspectives that will fuel my next project.