When was the last time your brain actually switched off?
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Be honest.
When was the last time you weren’t thinking about something? Not half-switching off while scrolling, not watching something in the background while your mind is somewhere else, but fully off.
No noise, to-do lists or overthinking. Just you, in a moment.
For most people, that almost never happens anymore. We’re so used to being constantly “on” that it’s become normal. Always thinking about what’s next, what needs done, what we should be doing instead. Even when we’re meant to be resting, our brains are still running.
Why it’s so hard to switch off now
We live in a world that doesn’t really slow down. Everything is fast, constant and always demanding your attention. Notifications, work, social media, messages, expectations. It’s a lot.
And if you’re anything like me, a bit of an over-thinker, someone who likes things done properly, someone who finds it hard to fully relax, that noise doesn’t just disappear when you want it to. It sticks around. Which is exactly why those rare moments where it does go quiet feel so different.
What it actually feels like when it happens
For me, it happens when I’m painting.
It’s not something I plan or think about beforehand, it just happens once I’m in it. Music on in the background, maybe a glass of rosé next to me and suddenly everything else just fades out. No overthinking or pressure, no constant mental chatter. Just focusing on what’s in front of me and responding to it.
It's like time moves differently. You stop checking your phone, and stop thinking about everything else you “should” be doing. You’re just there, fully in it. It feels like a bit of a reset every time.
This is what creative wellness actually is
“Creative wellness” gets thrown around a lot, but it’s not about doing something perfectly or creating something impressive. It’s about giving your brain a break.
Doing something with your hands, focusing on something physical and allowing yourself to be present without needing a specific outcome. Painting is just one way into that, but it’s a powerful one. Especially in a world where so much of what we do is digital, fast and constantly demanding attention.
It’s less about the finished piece, and more about what happens while you’re making it.
Why these moments matter more than you think
If you never give yourself space to properly switch off, it catches up with you. That constant low-level stress and overthinking, the feeling of always being “on”, it builds.
Taking even a small amount of time to step away from that and do something creative can make a huge difference. Maybe not in a life-changing way overnight, but in a steady, grounding way that helps you reset. It’s just about giving yourself that space.
You don’t need to be “creative” to feel it
This is something a lot of people can get stuck on. They think they’re “not creative” or that painting isn’t for them. But this isn’t about being an artist or knowing exactly what you’re doing. It’s about the experience of it.
Making marks, mixing colours, trying things out and seeing what happens. Letting go of the idea that it needs to look a certain way. That’s where the real magic happens.
If you’ve been needing a moment like this
If your days feel full, your brain feels busy and you can’t remember the last time you actually switched off properly, please take that time. It is so precious. For the mind, body and soul.
For a beautiful, creative moment to truly switch off, you can explore our full art kits here.
Emmi
Co-founder of Plan