The Lost Art of Slowing Down
Your permission to ease off the gas.
This newsletter is presented by Vacation with An Artist, where you can book mini-apprenticeships with master artists worldwide.
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to slow down?
We live in a world of breakneck speed, dwindling attention spans, and relentless overconsumption. Many of us (okay, maybe just me) fuel ourselves with caffeine all day, only to pop melatonin gummies at night to crash. It’s a cycle—one that feels as exhausting as it is unsustainable.
Then there’s the grind of scroll, scroll, scroll. Post, post, post. If you’ve found yourself here reading Create.Repeat, chances are you stumbled across us on Instagram, YouTube, or some other platform. Why? Because for the last year and a half, we’ve been in GO GO GO mode—posting nearly every single day.
Every day creating and repeating.
Now, I’m not going to sit here and be a hypocrite and tell you not to post every day or not to create something daily. That might be exactly what works for you. It worked for me—for a long time. But recently? It hasn’t.
And that got me thinking: does the constant pressure to churn out work, keep up with algorithms, and stay visible actually help us grow? Or does it just keep us busy?
We’re told to keep going because that’s the game—the platforms demand it, the culture glorifies it, and we consume it. But faster doesn’t always mean better, and more doesn’t always mean meaningful.
What are we really losing by rushing through our creative lives?
We’ve been conditioned to believe that success belongs to the ones who never stop. That if you just keep moving—keep producing, keep posting, keep showing up—you’ll eventually make it.
But what if the opposite is true? What if the best creative work doesn’t come from speed, but from stillness?
I recently read Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a change of pace. In the book, he references a quote from Blaise Pascal that stopped me in my tracks:
“All of humanity’s problems,” Blaise Pascal said in 1654, “stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
Pascal said this in 1654, long before social media and the constant churn of content. But his words feel even more relevant now, in an era where we’re encouraged to post daily just to stay visible.
Slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing better. When you allow yourself the space to breathe, to sit with an idea, to create without urgency, something shifts. Your work deepens. Your intuition sharpens. You make things that actually matter to you, rather than things designed just to keep up.
The problem is, the tools we use daily—Instagram, YouTube, TikTok—encourage the exact opposite. They want us to speed up, to create and post even more.
Last week, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri posted one of his awkward Q&A videos, answering a question about how often you should post to favor the algorithm:
“The more you post, the more people you’ll reach. If you post really infrequently, like once or twice a week, and you want to go to 5 or 6 times a week, do it gradually so you don’t alienate your followers.”
I’m sorry—posting once or twice a week is considered “really infrequent”?
And then, in the middle of his answer, he had the nerve to add:
“Also, don’t burn out. Burnout is a real thing.”
Thanks for the tip, Adam.
This is the world we’re creating in: one where we’re constantly told to produce faster, more often, and at a higher volume. But think about the last time you rushed through a project just to get it out there. Did it feel fulfilling? Or did it feel like another box checked off a never-ending list?
The work that lasts isn’t the work that was made the fastest. It’s the work that was made with intention.
The constant push to go faster comes with a price—and it’s not just burnout. It’s the quality of your work. It’s the joy of creating. It’s the deeper connection to the things that matter most in your craft.
When we focus on speed, we sacrifice depth. We rush to finish, to post, to stay relevant, and in the process, we skim over the details that could have made our work richer, more meaningful, and more lasting. Instead of creating something that feels alive, we create something that feels… disposable. Just another post in the feed.
And it’s not just the work that suffers—it’s us. When we live in a constant state of “next,” we disconnect from the present. Our minds are stuck on the output, the metrics, the next deadline, and we lose the ability to truly enjoy the process. Creativity stops feeling like an expression of ourselves and starts feeling like a chore.
The work that sticks with people—the work that sticks with you—isn’t made in a rush.
I’m not going to pretend the internet is suddenly going to start rewarding creatives who take their time. If anything, the rise of AI and the constant demand for more content means the pressure to produce is only going to increase. But that doesn’t mean you have to get swept up in it.
You can still play the game—just in a way that doesn’t burn you out.
Slowing down is a choice. A practice. And in today’s world, it’s also an act of rebellion.
So, how do we reclaim the lost art of slowing down?
Cut Distractions First: Before you try to focus, eliminate what’s pulling you away. Silence notifications, close extra tabs, and give your work your full attention.
Create Space for Deep Work: Block out uninterrupted time in your day, even if it’s just 30 minutes. Let yourself sink into the work, free from the pressure of deadlines or algorithms.
Redefine Success: Stop measuring progress by output. The goal isn’t to create more—it’s to create work that matters.
Detach From the Timeline: Some ideas aren’t meant to be finished fast. Give yourself permission to work on something without a deadline.
Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Instead of obsessing over the finish line, acknowledge the value of each step. Small acts of creation build toward something bigger.
Slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about making space for what truly matters. It’s about shifting from reactive to intentional, from rushed to present, from creating out of obligation to creating out of curiosity and purpose.
Yes, the world will keep moving fast. The algorithms will keep demanding more. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep up with a pace that drains you. You get to decide how you create, how you engage, and how you define success.
So before you rush to finish your next project, ask yourself:
Am I making this better, or am I just making it faster?
The best work doesn’t come from keeping up. It comes from slowing down enough to make something worth keeping.
Keep creating and repeating (at your pace),
- Zack
Links keeping us creative:
🎨 Does Having a Job Compromise an Artist's Edge?: A thought-provoking video by Studio Sessions exploring the tension between pursuing a career and maintaining creative authenticity as an artist.
💡 Why Developers Should Embrace Creative Coding Again: A Figma blog post exploring the resurgence of creative coding, encouraging developers to see coding as an expressive tool rather than just a technical skill.
📚 Revue Colle: An online archive celebrating cutting-edge editorial design, typography, and layout inspiration for print and digital creatives.
🎬 How I Raised $1M to Direct My Dream Movie: A deep dive by The Vandalist into how an independent filmmaker secured funding for his passion project, offering insights into turning creative visions into reality.
This week’s Talent Show, we’re happy to feature Geetika Agrawal, an India-born designer, and the founder and CEO of Vacation With An Artist (VAWAA) – a global platform offering mini-apprenticeships with master artists and craftspeople worldwide.
Before launching VAWAA, Geetika spent 13 years designing products and experiences for leading brands. She served as Creative Director at R/GA, designed an IRL adventure game at Disney, and taught interaction design at the School of Visual Arts.
We love what VAWAA is all about, so we sat down with Geetika to learn more.
1. What inspired you to start Vacation With An Artist? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea?
The inspiration for VAWAA came from my own travels and a lifelong love for art and design. While visiting artists’ studios abroad, I noticed how deeply immersive and transformative these experiences were—more than any sightseeing could ever offer. A defining moment was during my time with a Balinese jewelry designer years ago. I was deeply moved by how he welcomed me into his studio, sharing not just his craft but his way of life. It was a rare opportunity to slow down for a few days, connect, and create something tangible.
In an AI-driven world, the value of real-world, hands-on experiences will only grow. Learning directly from master artisans offers something technology can’t replicate: human connection, the feel of materials, and the wisdom of centuries-old practices. As a creative, I feel inspired to foster and fuel ways for creatives to keep their edge.
2. How do you think creativity changes when people step out of their routine and immerse themselves in a new culture or craft?
Stepping out of one’s routine and into a new culture or craft expands the mind in ways that are hard to achieve otherwise. It disrupts the autopilot mode we often live in and heightens our senses, making us more present. This openness allows for creative breakthroughs—whether it's finding fresh perspectives, solving problems differently, or simply rediscovering the joy of making. Immersing in a new environment and craft is like giving creativity a breath of fresh air. Often, people return from a VAWAA experience feeling energized and inspired, with a deeper understanding of themselves and their creative potential.
3. Can you share a little about the artists who collaborate with VAWAA and what makes them unique?
VAWAA artists are extraordinary individuals—masters of their craft, heritage keepers, and creative innovators. They range from third-generation potters in Mexico to textile weavers, bamboo bicycle makers and chefs in Japan. What makes them unique is their mastery and dedication to sharing their process. They don’t just teach techniques; they share their stories, philosophies, and cultural roots. Spending time in their studios means entering a world shaped by passion and intentionality, which is truly inspiring for our guests.
4. Our community is made up of creatives across many fields. How can something like a VAWAA experience influence or re-energize someone’s creative journey?
A VAWAA experience is like hitting a creative reset button. Whether you’re a writer, designer, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking inspiration, being guided by an artist in their daily rhythm offers a new lens to view creativity. It teaches patience, the beauty of process over perfection, and how to embrace mistakes as part of creation. Guests often leave with not only new skills but also a renewed sense of purpose and curiosity in their own creative fields.
5. What has running VAWAA taught you about your own creative process?
Running VAWAA has shown me that creativity thrives on connection, resilience, and the willingness to stay curious. Working with artists worldwide, I’ve learned to embrace the unknown and trust the process, even when outcomes are unclear. It’s also taught me that creativity is not just about making—it’s about listening, adapting, and allowing time for ideas to simmer. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that the most meaningful work comes from collaboration and shared experiences.
If you’re curious about exploring the world of Vacation With An Artist and discovering unique creative experiences, visit their website to learn more.
Create.Repeat is a community for creatives.
The Create.Repeat Substack is a project designed to be a weekly diary on creativity. Sharing inspiration for artists to keep creating and repeating.
Written and curated by Zack Evans & James Warren Taylor
Each week we will be sharing recent thoughts on creativity, some links helping us stay creative, and a talent show featuring an artist from the community. Thank you for engaging with us.
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