OVERCOMING CREATIVE BURNOUT
how to overcome creative burnout?
before we get into overcoming creative burnout, i think we first need to break down what it actually is. creative burnout is mental, emotional, physical, and creative fatigue. its a point in the creative process where we feel like we cannot proceed. we feel creatively blocked and stuck, we are lacking inspiration and motivation and feel completely disconnected from our work. as much as we hate feeling creatively burnt out, i think it is a natural part of the creative cycle. it comes at a time when we really do need to give ourselves a break because we’ve been working tirelessly to meet deadlines and that external pressure really takes away from the magical essence of creating freely. creative burnout comes around to remind us to take a break, redirect our focus and take it easy.
when we resist the signals our bodies are giving us throughout our creative process, the more likely we are to experience creative burnout, and depending on your threshold of self-neglect (yeah i said it), the more time you will spend being creatively burnt out. creative burnout can last from a few hours, to a few days, to a few weeks, to a few months, and even a few years. it's not something that we can control but the more we care for ourselves spiritually and surrender to the divine flow of all things, the more centered we become and the more creativity will flow as a result.
creative burnout is the result and physical manifestation of unnecessarily high expectations, resistance to the signs around you, and an overall physical force that doesn’t really work in the art world. in my experience, the times when i felt the most creative fatigue and burnout were the points in my creative process when i was trying to force myself to meet deadlines even if i was uninspired. the other side of this is that, as professional artists, you can’t wait for inspiration to strike you, you have got to strike while the iron is hot and allow inspiration to emerge and guide you. but what i mean is, when you are creating work that is uninspired because you are too concerned with the outcome versus really immersing yourself in the process. THAT is what creating uninspired work is and in that, comes creative burnout and fatigue.
this is the point where it helps to have other things to work on so that you can actually take a step back and redirect your focus to something that IS inspiring you in this moment and let it provide clarity and fresh perspective for you when the time comes to get back to your original project. remind yourself that you are not abandoning your projects and that regardless of if you take 30 minutes or 3 years to get back to it, it will be the right time. some of our greatest works are not meant for right now and we have to be okay with that. we have to trust that when inspiration strikes us, and we create these works effortlessly that it will be the right time for not only us as the creator but the audience who are meant to receive it.
so if you find yourself feeling creatively burnout, here are a few things that i do to get myself back in the groove of things and maybe they can help you!
GO OUT IN NATURE
the first thing to do is acknowledge that i am feeling creatively burnt out (any of the feelings listed above) and once i have done that i’ll start with the most accessible thing, take a break. walk away from the work and go outside in nature. sometimes its for a walk, sometime its to catch the sunset at the beach. sometimes its just sitting on my balcony and observing the clouds. its important to literally LOOK at something else so that your eyes can fixate on something else and get your mind to do the same.
LISTEN TO MUSIC
another thing i like to do is put on some music. music inspires me a lot as a writer and storyteller because of how poetic it can be whether there are lyrics and vocals or just instrumentation. it always stimulates my creative mind and can retrieve me from any creative blockage i may be feeling at the time. at this time i also dance, dancing is a way to get energy moving through your body. its a good way to shake off any dense or heavy energy, fears and insecurities i may be feeling around the work im creating and it just uplifts my mood and puts me in a better frame of mind!
EAT (LOL)
sometimes i’m just hungry and need some refreshments. i can’t create on an empty stomach and neither should you!
WATCH A MOVIE
film is another medium that inspires me. so if i’m feeling a bit creatively fatigued i’ll stop what i’m doing and pop on a movie. it always gets me right!
painting is also another medium i lean in on when feeling creatively burnout because it is just so therapeutic. it soothes me and really relaxes me. i can always count on feeling better after a paint session.
TAKE A NAP
i also like to take naps in those moments when i’m feeling creatively fatigued. i’ll take a nap and daydream and get solutions to issues i’m encountering in my creative process. it helps to let the mind rest and just refresh itself.
DO NOTHING
this is the most important thing to do when im feeling creatively burnt out. absolutely nothing. it can feel counterproductive but i’m telling you it works wonder. when you’re burnt out there’s nothing more that your mind, body and soul want than to rest and do nothing. trust the process even if it makes you feel like you’re wasting time... trust you’re not, you’re actually saving yourself from years of wasted time down the line.
creative burnout is a reminder to get back in tune with yourself and the natural rhythm of all things. finding inspiration in life again because to create impactful work, one must also LIVE and let real life bleed into the creations.
