If you’re wondering how to reset your creativity without leaving home, you’re in the right place. You don’t have to pack a bag or book a flight to take a real break. Honestly, some of the best getaways I’ve ever had didn’t involve TSA lines or checking into a hotel. They were quiet moments right at home, built from the things that bring me joy—books, tea, playlists, and a little space to breathe. This summer, I’m leaning into the kind of escape that restores rather than exhausts. No jet lag required.
Here’s how I reset my creativity when life (or the algorithm) starts to feel like too much.
I start by clearing space, both digitally and physically. That might mean muting half my inbox, deleting a few apps for the weekend, or just rearranging my desk until it feels like a soft place to land. Sometimes I light a candle. Sometimes I buy new pens. Yes, it’s a little dramatic. Yes, it works.
Journaling is my go-to anchor. Not the pressure-filled kind where every sentence has to make sense, but the kind where I spill thoughts onto the page without editing. I keep a Pinterest board full of journal prompts and quotes I love—if you’re not sure what to write, start there. I treat it like a conversation with my past, present, and future selves.
Books are my escape route of choice. When I can’t go anywhere, I reach for stories that take me somewhere else. Historical fiction, magical realism, or anything with a cozy, immersive world will do the trick. I build little stacks by my bed and let myself wander through them slowly, one quiet hour at a time. Rainy day weekend reads on my porch are a fantastic reset for me.
Then there’s music. A good playlist can shift your whole mood. I have one called Slow Mornings that feels like opening the windows in June, letting in just the right amount of breeze and possibility. I play it when I’m journaling, cooking, or daydreaming about what’s next. You also can’t beat the Mamma Mia! movie soundtrack.
Walking is magic, too. I walk when I’m stuck on a sentence, or when I need to hear myself think. I leave my headphones at home and just let the rhythm of my feet do the talking. It’s not fancy, but it’s sacred. I recently found these daily walk hacks from The Everygirl, and they’ve upgraded my strolls—from walking somewhere new to creating a special walking playlist. Highly recommend adding a few to your reset routine.
Sometimes it’s the sunshine, sometimes it’s the silence between obligations—but when the moment’s right, I take myself out for a solo café date. A book comes with me—a notebook, too. No expectations, just a table for one and time to notice. I sip slowly, observe, and let the world hum around me without feeling the need to participate.
It reminds me of one of my favorite creative tools: Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Her concept of “morning pages”—three longhand, stream-of-consciousness pages written first thing in the morning—has been one of the most grounding and revealing practices in my creative life. It’s not about writing well; it’s about clearing the mental clutter and making space for clarity.
And then there are “artist dates”—a weekly solo adventure that feeds your creative spirit. They don’t have to be extravagant. A bookstore wander, a flower market stroll, or yes, a slow afternoon at a café with your favorite pen and zero expectations. That’s the magic. It’s time spent with yourself and for yourself, and it always leaves me feeling more inspired, more open, and more connected to my ideas.
If you’ve never tried morning pages or artist dates, consider this your nudge. They’re simple, but powerful ways to gently reconnect with your creativity—no plane ticket required.
Each morning, as we face the page, we meet ourselves. The pages give us a place to vent and a place to dream. They are intended for no eyes but our own. Julia Cameron
Here are a few more little things that make my homebody heart feel like it’s on retreat.
- Putting my phone on airplane mode and pretending I’m unreachable in the French countryside. Instant peace.
- Styling a corner of my house like a cozy reading nook: layered throw blankets, a stack of old magazines, and a glass of something sparkling.
- Picking up a paint-by-number or embroidery kit. There’s something meditative about creating with no pressure for perfection.
- Reading poetry aloud to myself in the kitchen while I wait for the kettle to boil. Bonus points if it’s Mary Oliver.
- Making a Pinterest collage of dream retreats and then slowly recreating one element in real life. (French market basket? Already ordered.)
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver
Try This: Mini Getaway Journaling Prompts
- Describe what your soul reaches for when everything feels too loud.
- Identify the corners of your home that feel like a breath of fresh air.
- Sketch out a pressure-free day that would make you feel deeply content.
- Define rest—not as a reward, but as a rhythm.
- Name the thing you keep putting off that quietly steals your energy.
- Explore the season you’re in—and what it’s inviting you to let go of.
- Imagine a day with no productivity guilt. How would you spend it?
- List ways to weave more beauty and softness into your daily rituals.
- Remember the last time you felt truly you. What was happening?
- Map out your dream morning, hour by hour.
- Choose a small joy to sprinkle into next week.
- Write the words you most need to hear right now.
- Dream up a creative project you’re curious about (even if it’s just for fun).
- Set the emotional tone you want to carry into the month ahead.
- Acknowledge a boundary you know you need—and how it would support you.
- Envision what slow living could look like in your current routine.
- Bring attention to a longing you’ve shelved and ask it what it needs.
- Ground yourself in gratitude by listing what feels good in this exact moment.
- Reflect on what romanticizing your life means to you—not social media.
- Tune into the present. What helps you land in the now?
Soft Life Reads to Reset Your Creativity:
These are the books that feel like a warm hug and a deep breath at the same time:
- The Comfort Book by Matt Haig
- Wintering by Katherine May
- Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Still Life by Sarah Winman
- The Art of Small Business Social Media by yours truly (because practical joy counts too)
This is what I mean when I talk about a getaway. Not an escape from your life, but a gentle return to it.
If you’re craving a reset, I made a Pinterest board just for this: The Great Escape. It’s full of dreamy visuals, journaling prompts, cozy vibes, and creative nudges to help you create your own version of a summer escape and reset your creativity.
Here’s your permission slip to unplug, reset, and romanticize the heck out of your life—no suitcase necessary.
Create your own Ultimate Getaway board and tag me if you do. I’d love to see what makes you feel most like yourself again.
What’s one small thing that helps you reset your creativity? Tell me—I’m collecting cozy ideas.
