How to Manage Creative Burnout

Have you ever sat at your desk, staring at a blank screen, feeling like you should produce something unique and extraordinary but those creative juices aren’t flowing? I hate to say it, but you’re not alone. Burnout is a common struggle for many artists, writers, and professionals who rely on their creativity daily. I've suffered from burnout before too.

“Creative burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwork in creative tasks. It manifests as a significant decrease in motivation, productivity, and the ability to find inspiration to translate into your work.”

Addressing and managing burnout is crucial for maintaining mental health for any creator, and ensuring long-term productivity and fulfillment of your endeavors. By understanding the root causes and implementing effective strategies, you can preserve your creative spark and thrive in all of your endeavors.

What Causes Burnout in Creators and Professionals in the Field

Overwork and Unrealistic Expectations: Sometimes the most obvious cause makes for the deadliest of aggressors. Being subjected to (or, in some cases, subjecting yourself to) too much work or unrealistic expectations is a quick and surefire way to burn out your spark.

Lack of Inspiration: I don’t know about you, but I am constantly consuming new and innovative content in order to preserve my own creative spark. Working in a monotonous environment lacking stimuli can also stifle creativity too.

Perfectionism: It may not make sense at first, but the creative process does not mesh well with the perfectionist mindset. The pursuit of perfection in such works and artforms can lead to chronic stress and dissatisfaction of your own work, leading to nothing getting done.

Isolationism: We’re all social creatures, and creation is a collaborative art. Forget the meme that creators, artists, and writers do their best on their own; Isolation and absence of collaboration can actually exacerbate burnout in creators if they’re not careful.

How Does Burnout Manifest When it Rears its Head

Burnout can manifest in a lot of different forms, including depression and anxiety. Creators especially should be on the lookout for:

• Chronic fatigue and lack of energy.
• Decreased productivity and difficulty concentrating.
• Loss of interest and enthusiasm for creative tasks.
• Increased irritability and mood swings.
• And physical symptoms such as headaches or insomnia.

Whenever I’ve been hit by writer’s block or burnout, I would notice I would feel severe fatigue more often than not. It would be difficult to sit down and focus on the screen in front of me without feeling the need to get up and do something else, as though my word document was physically pushing me away. I can imagine others experiencing burnout may feel the same way.

Creative burnout can significantly affect both personal and professional aspects of life. It can lead to strained relationships, missed deadlines, and a decline in the quality of work. Moreover, it can impact self-esteem and lead to long-term mental health issues if not addressed promptly.

Preventative Measures to Avoid Burnout

The best way to deal with burnout in general is to not set yourself up to get burned out, period. Easier said than done, I know, but here are some recommendations you can follow to avoid burnout.

Setting Boundaries: If you are in a professional environment, it is very, very important to set boundaries regarding your scope of your work. If not in a professional environment, I would still recommend this - establish clearly defined work hours and personal time to prevent overworking yourself. Creation should be fun in this case, not an obligation.

Prioritize Self-Care: Take opportunities to walk away from the desk and take care of yourself, however that may look. Personally, I like to work out or hop on the elliptical. Others may consider self-care to include luxurious baths, long and scenic hikes, or simply baking cookies.

Set Realistic Goals and Expectations: If you’re looking to paint the next Mona Lisa but have not yet painted a Hommage à Apollinaire, I am sorry to say that you’re setting yourself up for failure. Setting realistic goals for yourself at your current skill level or capacity of work will not only go a long way to making sure you succeed and grow; but also prevent unnecessary stress from biting off more than you can chew.

Incorporating Regular Breaks and Time-off: Pace yourself. Give yourself regular breaks and set days of the week where you do nothing but relax for an evening. I like to use the Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo as well while writing: Work for twenty-five minutes, then take a five minute break afterwards. Rinse, repeat. It helps stave off stress-headaches.

How to Manage Existing Burnout

While the tips above can help prevent burnout to begin with, what can you do if you are already burned out? It’s tough to get back up and dust yourself off when you’re caked with mud, but it is possible. You can do any of the following to help manage existing burnout.

Mindfulness and Meditative Practices: As cliche as it sounds, it works. Removing yourself from a stressful environment and practicing mindfulness and meditation, deep breathing, and heart control, are all good ways to remove stress toxins accumulated overtime. Keeping personal journals and diaries can also be a good way to help you focus on the positive aspects in life.

Seeking Support From Peers and Professionals: Remember what I said about Isolation? If you’re already experiencing burnout, it is incredibly easy to slip into an introverted slump. Don’t do it. Join a club, community, or group of like-minded individuals to share in your experiences and support one another. If you’re starting to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety, don’t be afraid to also seek help from a certified professional, counselor, or doctor trained in mental health.

What To Do To Reignite Creativity

It can be very difficult to feel inspired enough to create something while burnt out or post-burnout. As a writer, even when I don’t feel burned out, I sometimes experience writer’s block that can be extremely irritating to break down. I’ve known artists and painters, photographers, and other writers that have experienced these types of blocks and suffered from them for months. Try any of the following to help reignite your creativity:

• Try new art forms. Are you a writer? Try drawing.
• Learn new skills you haven’t picked up yet. Training yourself in new skills stimulates different parts of the brain, which can help stoke your creativity again.
• Redecorate your workspace. Sometimes a new environment is all that you need.
• Collaborate with other creatives. Bouncing ideas off of others can help you gain new insights in the craft.

Have other tips that help you get past a creative slump? Be sure to comment below and let others know your tips and tricks to promote creativity.

Remember, it's okay to take breaks and seek support when needed. By making small but meaningful changes in your routine and mindset, you can overcome creative burnout and continue to thrive in your creative pursuits. Creative burnout is a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to reassess your approach and make positive changes.