How Embracing My Soft Girl Era Unlocked My Creativity

I am finally starting to embrace self-care and living my soft girl era in my 40s.

It took me decades to realize that being strong didn’t mean pushing myself to the limit. That productivity didn’t have to look like constant motion. That rest wasn’t something to feel guilty about. And it’s wild to think that it took me this long to understand that slowing down could actually make me more creative and effective.

A few weeks ago, I went to this music and meditation event on the beach. Just me, the waves, and classical piano playing in the wide open salty air. I didn’t really go with any big intentions—just wanted to be present, let go, and feel something different. I sat there, soaking up the breeze, listening to the waves hitting the sand, and just letting the music carry me. It was one of those moments where everything just felt... right.

What I didn’t expect was how that experience would impact me mentally and emotionally.

I left that evening with a sense of clarity that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Ideas started flowing—fresh, creative ideas for my business that hadn’t surfaced before. It was like the fog that had been clouding my thoughts just melted away.

It made me wonder: Why did that happen?

What was it about that evening—the music, the meditation, the beach—that unlocked this new level of creativity without me even trying?

Well I did some research and here is what I found out.

Rest Sparked Creativity Without Me Even Realizing It

There are several reasons why that event helped me clear my mind and find new ideas, even though I wasn’t actively trying to be productive.

1. Mental Rest and Clarity

When we constantly push ourselves to think and solve problems, our brains get exhausted. Mental rest allows our minds to step away from structured, problem-solving thinking and move into a more open, fluid state. That’s exactly what happened on the beach—I wasn’t trying to think about work or generate ideas. I was just being.

It turns out that our brains have this built-in network called the Default Mode Network (DMN) that kicks in when we’re not actively focused on something. It’s like the background process on your computer that runs without you even noticing. This network lights up when we’re daydreaming, letting our minds wander, or just being present. It’s our brain’s way of working things out and making connections behind the scenes.

By giving my brain a break from constantly doing, I let it do its own thing—process thoughts, make connections, and spark new ideas without me even trying. That effortless clarity wasn’t an accident—it was my brain finally getting some breathing room to figure things out..

2. Music and Meditation as a Power Combo

There’s something almost magical about how music and meditation come together to reset the mind. Studies show that classical music—especially when it’s instrumental—can actually get parts of your brain firing that deal with recognizing patterns, processing emotions, and digging up memories. It’s like giving your brain a little nudge to start connecting the dots.

Then there’s meditation, which is pretty amazing on its own. It boosts something called alpha waves in your brain, putting you in this relaxed but alert state where creativity and problem-solving just click. Plus, it shuts down all that inner noise and stress that usually gets in the way of new ideas.

That time spent on the beach, the mix of music and meditation gave my brain exactly what it needed to let go of the pressure and just breathe. It was like finally giving myself permission to relax—and in doing that, my mind just took over and did its thing.

3. Nature’s Power to Clear Your Head

Being out there on the beach, with the ocean stretching out and the sky so open, had its own kind of magic too. There’s a theory called Attention Restoration Theory (ART) that basically says nature gives our brains a reset from the demands of our long days and nights. When we’re in nature, our minds wander freely and make those creative connections that usually get blocked when we’re stressed out.

The event wasn’t just music and meditation—it was the whole vibe and how all of my senses were activated. The sand between my toes, the salt in the air, the sound of waves—all of it contributed to a sense of peace that let my thoughts flow freely.

4. Creative Rest and the Power of Novelty

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about rest is that it doesn’t mean just lying around doing nothing. Real rest can be about letting yourself soak in something beautiful or inspiring without feeling like you have to get something out of it. That beach day was different for me—going to a classical music meditation on the beach wasn’t something I would normally do. Just the newness of it all sparked a sense of wonder and got my brain thinking differently.

When we try something new—especially something that makes us feel a little bit of awe—it wakes up our minds and shakes up the routine. That little bit of novelty can push us to see things from a fresh perspective. It’s backed by research—novelty actually helps spark creativity and break us out of our usual mental patterns.

Rest Isn’t Passive—It’s Powerful

That day at the beach reminded me that rest isn’t some luxury you only get when you’re totally burned out. It’s something you choose to do so your mind and spirit have space to breathe. We’ve been conditioned to think that being productive means never stopping. But sometimes the most brilliant ideas come when you let yourself slow down.

How You Can Boost Your Creativity Through Rest

1. Make Mental Rest a Habit: Give your brain a break. Step away from structured thinking and just let your thoughts flow every now and then.

2. Try Music and Meditation: Put on some instrumental music or use a guided meditation to quiet your mind. Let it work its magic without forcing anything.

3. Spend Time in Nature: Go for a walk, sit by the water, or just find a peaceful spot outdoors. Let the natural environment hit the reset button on your mental energy.

4. Mix Things Up: Try something new that feels inspiring—like a live event, exploring a new place, or diving into a different kind of art. Let yourself feel that sense of wonder.

Soft Girl Era, Here WE Come

Living softly doesn’t mean being weak or privileged. It means choosing to honor your needs and give yourself permission to slow down. If you’re anything like me—always on the go, always doing—you might be surprised at how much clarity and creativity come from just allowing yourself to be.

Let rest become a natural part of your creative process. And when you try it out, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment and let me know how it goes!

If you’re ready to embrace your own soft girl era and discover how rest can unlock your creativity, join my email list for more insights, inspiration, and practical tips.

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