Five tips to combat creative burnout.
Burnout is an occupational phenomenon. According to WHO “burn-out is a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterised by three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
reduced professional efficacy”
Let’s talk about burnout. Specifically, creative burnout.
I define creative burnout to be an overall exhaustion to consistently be, show up as and exude creativity. This type of burnout can be influenced by external and internal factors.
It’s been influenced by both internal and external factors like
a very busy 18 months
rapid growth and needing to accommodate for new client expectations
personal development and growth
unexpected changes to my routine
life, in general
the current state of the world (pandemic, politics, floods)
feeling well and truly out of my depth (don’t we all!)
These last few months of feeling like this has been characterised by
a lack of productivity
high levels of energetic output to just create something that isn’t even of a standard quality
a waning desire to create
a lack of clear direction and purpose in my business
doing the absolute bare minimum just to get by
*Please remember that these are my personal experiences, and you may feel differently.
It’s not a great place to be in and it’s taken a while to feel semi-normal again.
The good news?
We don’t grow when we’re comfortable. Take those feelings of discomfort and turn them into an opportunity. What will you learn from this? How will you be different after experiencing this? What do you need to change so this doesn’t happen again?
The even better news?
I was recently listening to The Chillpreneur’s podcast by Erin May Henry (who is amazing!) and she had a great episode which you can listen to here about creative burnout and her tips for getting out of a funk. Listen to it below.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PLyQJQLnubexU7Cvea2jW?si=hpXVc7VGR_S7ISjhDI27QA
This advice was some of the most real, raw and honest I’ve heard someone give and I felt compelled to share hers, and some of my own, to help you deal with whatever you might be feeling. I want you to feel on top of the world again and doing what you do best!
The five tips to combat creative burnout
Meet your basic needs
Meeting your basic needs can be a chore and a half, but, it’s what necessary to give yourself the mental space and clarity needed to move up the hierarchy needs triangle. No idea what I’m talking about? Check it out.
That can look like:
Cleaning your house/office space
Prepping a bunch of meals
Doing all of your washing (including folding and putting it away!)
Do all of these nagging little life tasks that we all avoid, to help clear your head and shift your energy so you can begin concentrating on other, more important needs.
Gratitude
Gratitude. I talk a lot about gratitude. It’s a daily practice for me and it has transformed my perspective when things get tough. It’s as simple as the first thing in the morning, or while you’re brushing your teeth, think of even just one thing that you’re incredibly grateful for today. You need to have this basic self-care and self-awareness met first, before you can start really shifting your mindset on move onto bigger and better things.
Reach out for help
It’s okay to not be okay. Yes, super cliché, but also very true. If this is something that you’ve been struggling with and don’t feel equipped to deal with on your own, it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to get professional help, or chat to a trusted friend. Just don’t isolate yourself from others and internalise how you’re feeling. It makes it worse and doesn’t allow you to truly accept your situation or grow as a person.
Vulnerability is one of our greatest strengths. Allow yourself to be honest and open with yourself, with a friend or professional. Whatever works for you right now, is the best step forward.
Get yourself to a point of neutrality
One major point that really stood out from Erin’s podcast was this:
Get yourself to a point of neutrality.
You can’t make the jump to a passionate, high energy being from a state of despair or negativity. It’s just not possible.
To do this, you need to take care of yourself first. Look after your basic needs (see Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) first. You need to level yourself first, before you can begin to look forward and up.
Take care of yourself
This year, I’ve placed a real focus on my health and fitness. I never realise the true impact that good nutrition and consistent exercise can have. These have become my non-negotiables. In order to take care of myself, here’s what I do first and foremost
Workout at least 4 times a week
Eat healthy (but still enjoy myself when I want)
Journal at least once a week
Take necessary time outs when I need it (I usually read)
Meditation and breathwork when I need it most
Knowing when I need to distance myself (even for a day or two) from friends and family
I’m not talking about superficial self-care like face masks and bubble baths (even though they’re great and if that’s your time-out, perfect!) because in reality, these will not help you do the internal work that is crucial. You need to truly take care of yourself so that you can grow and be better equipped to deal with this, or anything else, next time.
Sometimes your big vision can seem too heavy, which is okay. Just always remember that you need to take care of yourself first, before you can be truly living out your purpose and vision to the best of your ability.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.