When my eyes are burning and my wrist hurts, I know I’ve been sitting at the computer way too long. But it gets even worse when I run out of creativity and find myself in a slump. Scrapping and designing are two things that I do on my computer and that means that I need to be at my computer for long periods of time. Sometimes I feel that I’ve lost my mojo and it’s not easy to get back - especially while staring at my monitor. Sometimes we just need to feel the quiet stillness. These are the times when I know I have to stop for a while and get away. Just get up, walk away, go outside, relax, take a walk, or just take a nap - these are a few of the things I do when I need a small break and I usually feel much better after a few hours.

When I find myself burnt out and wondering if I should quit completely, I know it’s time for a bigger break. I have taken a few long breaks away from my computer, but not many. I went on a two week vacation with very limited access to any computers. It was so hard the first few days to get out of the habit of hourly checking my email and the forums, but after a few days, I started to relax and the tension just melted away. We also went on a cruise last year for 4 days and the time was well spent with my family relaxing and enjoying the fresh air. As we walked around Cabo San Lucas, my kids joked about how long it had been since they had seen me away from my computer for that long. It sunk in then that I might be sending them the wrong messages about priorities. That day, I vowed to take regular breaks and spent more quality time with them. Now most of my computer time is during their school hours and when they are home, we are only on the computer if they need help with their homework.

The greatest thing about taking a nice break is the refreshing feeling of new inspiration. I have found inspiration in some of the greatest places: on the ocean, at the beach, walking in the park, playing with my grandbabies, watching my teenagers perform with their marching band, and even while driving 1,200 miles to see my son get married. Listening to music or watching movies has also given me great ideas and fresh perspectives on my next great projects. My favorite inspirational moments, though, have been practicing my photography skills. Each time I take out my camera, I find something new and exciting in each small moment and every great shot I capture.

Try an experiment with yourself this week. Take a small or large break and get away from the computer while enjoying some relaxation and inspiration. Try looking at nature a little differently this week, like watching the clouds or picking out the newest blooms in your garden. Take some photos of a baby… that will really get your mojo going again! Whatever inspires you, remember to scrap it and share it with others. Everyone gets encouragement and renewal when they share what they love.

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article by Joy Kuoha
Kuoha Designs, Ink!