Silence is Self Care: Why Musicians (and Everyone Else) Needs Breaks

I’ve always struggled with the guilt of taking breaks, and I know many others can relate. Athletes, aspiring artists, working adults, struggling graduates, new mothers. Passion gives you the push and curiosity to reach for things that you wouldn’t have sought out otherwise. It drives you with the potential to become the best, to create beautiful things, and to make better change to the world. 

However, it also comes with the question: how can I permit myself to take a break?

My name is Claire, I am a high school student musician, and this is my first blog post for Rest. Burnout in music is real, and it’s something thousands of musicians are battling on the regular. But burnout isn’t only a musician’s problem, it applies to any practice requiring discipline, time, and consistency. Even the most basic tasks such as doing homework or attending weekly practice can exhaust people, and so my simple goal through this essay is to help people realize that taking breaks should be normalized, not only to musicians, but anyone who is giving it their all into something. 

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, it can be caused by a multitude of variables: unclear goals, excessive workload, uncontrollable schedule, a lack of challenge or recognition, poor working environment, and pressure to push yourself.

Preventing burnout starts from recognizing how it begins. Without realizing you are slipping into a burnout state, it’ll grow even harder to come out of it. Your mental health wears off slowly over time, and the work you used to be passionate about begins to grow un-satisfying and dreadful. 

So, take a break. 

Take a break. Seriously. It isn’t being ‘lazy’, it's a strategy. It allows you to reset, and return stronger.

Without zooming out, it becomes increasingly difficult to realize a problem in your space while working on autopilot. Whether it's a health concern, not getting enough sleep, skipping a meal, or being in an overall unhealthy environment. Maybe you’re surrounded by people who doubt you and your future, making comments like, “Why bother with music? It’s useless,” or classmates who dismiss you based on your interests and make you feel excluded.

Awareness is power. Knowing when you need to distance yourself from a toxic mindset, knowing when you should go to sleep earlier, or knowing when to contact somebody for help– it’s all a part of keeping your thoughts and habits healthy. Stopping doesn’t make you weak, it can show maturity and strong levels of self-awareness.

So, how do taking breaks play into this? They restore you.

Taking a break gives your body and brain the time to reset and reflect. If you want to create meaningful work, then you need to rest, or feel okay with where you’re at. Even the most successful people take breaks as a strategy, such as basketball player Michael Jordan. By napping for 20 minutes and eating a hearty and full meal before games, he makes sure he is in the best condition to play his best. Rest isn’t an option for him, it's a part of what makes him so successful. This applies to not only him, but anybody who is pursuing growth in their journey.

Taking a break can also give you a fresh new perspective. If you’re trying to convey the emotion of a piece, a quick break can be enough for you to come back and think with clarity and innovation.

So here's what I want you to take away from what I’ve learned:

Rest isn’t selfish, it’s balance. 

Burnout won’t make you stronger, but knowing your limits will. Silence allows you to reconnect with your passions, and with yourself.

You are allowed to take breaks. Because silence is self care.