Why Time Off the Guitar Can Be Part of Your Growth

How stepping away can move your playing—and your creativity—forward.

Last week, I wrote about the power of pauses in music—those quiet moments between notes that give a melody space to breathe.

But there’s another kind of pause that’s just as powerful:
Taking time away from the instrument altogether.

It’s something we rarely talk about.
Especially as musicians.
Especially when we care deeply about getting better.

We’re often taught that growth comes from consistency—showing up every day, practicing harder, playing longer. And that’s true. But it’s not the whole story.

Some of the most meaningful progress doesn’t happen while we’re pushing.
It happens when we pause.

When we put the guitar down.
When we rest our fingers.
When we stop thinking about scales or progress or productivity—and let ourselves just be for a moment.

In that space, something shifts.

All the learning we’ve been doing quietly settles into our body.
Ideas that were half-formed begin to take shape.
And when we return to the instrument, we often play with more clarity. More ease. More intention.

This week, I’m writing to you from the Greek island of Poros.

The sun is soft, the sea is calm, and for the first time in weeks, I’m not playing much. I’m just listening. Breathing. Watching light hit the water. And I can already feel something opening up in me. A quiet renewal.

I’ve also been working on a new collaboration—something I’m really excited about. I can’t share the details just yet, but it’s one of those projects that feels aligned on every level.

Sometimes, the most important part of your practice… is stepping away from it.

So if you’re feeling burnt out, stuck, or just tired, this is your permission to pause.
Not because you’re giving up.
But because your creativity, your body, and your spirit might be asking for a little space.

When you return, you might just find more than you left behind.

—

Dimitris

PS: If you’d like a bit of guidance as you reconnect with your playing, I have a couple of open lesson spots.
You can book a 1-1 session here: Book a Lesson