“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
— Anne Lamott

You know what? She’s right.
I see so many of us in this line of work “burning a late one” or “powering through” to get things done quickly and efficiently.
And it just keeps mounting up, slowly wearing you down. You get lost in your own little bubble.

That’s been me over the last few months.
There was a moment recently — one I can’t really go into — that completely knocked me sideways. It was unpleasant, unnecessary, and it forced me to do something I rarely do for myself.

Stop. Reflect. Think.

Stop.

And honestly, it’s done me the world of good.
It made me look at what I’ve achieved so far. Allow myself a little private boast. “You’re doing alright, mate.” I’ve actually been kind to myself. A small pat on the back.

Reflect.

Reflecting made me realise something: the work I’m doing is working.
It’s been the most twisted form of feedback imaginable, but the message is clear. My approach is landing.

Professionally, when I’m in the creative stages of planning a video shoot or campaign with someone, I’m always saying, “Let’s look at the bigger picture — what do we actually want to achieve?” Yet I hadn’t done that for myself. Time to change that.

Think.

With that new energy, I’m going to spend this weekend just… being.
Taking in the world around me. Relaxing with friends and family. Letting the creative brain idle on slow tick-over and think about the good stuff still to come.

Whatever works for you. A walk, a cup of tea, a quiet hour in the garden. Give yourself permission to slow that creative muscle for a while. Heal. Grow.

Then, when you get back to the desk, enjoy the benefit of having stopped … and feel how good it is to create again.

If you needed a sign to pause today, this might be it.
Stop. Reflect. Think.
You’re doing alright too.

Keep being great at what you do.

Darren 🙂