Today I want to share something simple, but essential:
Leisure is not a waste of time.
It’s what refreshes the mind, sparks creativity, and brings us back to ourselves.
When you pause, you start to feel again.
And when you feel, you create better.
Leisure: Where Creativity Learns to Breathe Again
“Do not trust any thought that did not come while you were walking or dancing.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche
During the first week of June, I felt like I was reaching my limit.
Each day was another test of endurance: problems, pressure, challenges, everything happening at once. I tried to stay focused, but there were moments when my mind simply shut down. It was like I was being suffocated by my own circumstances. Even the air felt heavy.
On Saturday, after several intense days, I decided to follow the advice of those great thinkers who speak about the importance of leisure. Not empty leisure, but the kind that nourishes the soul.
I left the house late in the afternoon, with no destination. I just wanted to walk, breathe, and feel my own presence again.
With each step, the stress eased a little. My body started to relax. My mind opened up some space.
When I reached the seaside and stood in front of the horizon, something inside me grew calm.
I felt a deep sense of belonging — as if, for a moment, I was part of something larger than my problems.
I returned home renewed. Creative ideas began to appear, and the heaviness inside me seemed to dissolve.~
But society has convinced us that leisure is a waste of time.
We think that if we are aiming for something great, we cannot stop.
Some people even feel guilty when they rest, as if leisure delays their purpose.
But I realized something different:
Leisure teaches us to live deeply.
It invites us to be fully present, to play with life again, to refresh the soul.
And from that lightness, a strong spirit is born.
It’s no coincidence that many great inventions and discoveries came during moments of relaxation.
Einstein himself said:
“When I examine myself and my ways of thinking, I come to the conclusion that the gift of imagination has meant more to me than my ability to absorb knowledge.”
It’s time to let go of the workaholic mentality — this need to push constantly, without rest, where thinking and feeling are suppressed by constant movement.
Productive leisure calls us back to a creative life.
It is an ocean of ideas.
It strengthens our capacity to imagine, dream, feel, and innovate.
When we allow our youthful spirit to wake up again, we see the world with more simplicity and beauty.
Life gains a new meaning.
Productive leisure is essential for balance.
It is a natural antidote to stress.
It is in these moments that our best thoughts emerge — the ones that generate creativity and well-being.
Creativity is born from spontaneity.
Fun expands the mind.
It helps us discover new ideas and see old ones in a new light.
It keeps us curious, engaged, and alive.
Look at a child: what shapes them most are the moments of play.
It is because they are always playing that creativity flows so freely.
But today, society — including the education system — has dimmed that spark.
Benefits of Productive Leisure
• Mental flexibility
• Creativity
• Spiritual renewal
• A stronger desire to live
• Lightness and presence
Give Yourself Time for Leisure
Find an activity that brings joy and real engagement.
Some suggestions:
• Walk with no destination
• Have dinner with your family somewhere special
• Play with your children
• Visit someone you love but haven’t seen in a long time
• Talk with a friend, without rushing
• Travel to a place that awakens your soul
Final Words
It’s important for us to rethink leisure.
Many people don’t allow themselves to rest because they think it’s wasting time.
Others use leisure as an escape, trying to run away from what they haven’t faced inside.
But true leisure is not escape.
It is return.
It is creating meaningful moments, awakening the inner child, exploring creativity, and living with more depth.
The purpose of leisure is to help you live fully.
And when you are living fully, you find the strength to continue.
An Invitation
If this message spoke to you, then we are walking the same path.
I write for those who feel.
For those who seek more depth, more presence, more life.
If you want to continue this journey with me, join my newsletter.
It’s a simple gesture, but it says a lot.
👉 https://eltonjoaomesa.com/discipline
Thank you for existing exactly as you do.
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Thank you for reading
I hope it helped you in some way.
I wish you all the best.
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