I’ve always heard the term “Creative Burnout” and never thought much of it until it happened to me just a few days ago!
It literally just happened almost out of nowhere, though I knew something like this would happen after creating content for seven (7) Social Media Accounts in the space of 3 days! This sounds crazy I know but add a Pandemic in the middle of your “Thirty, Flirty and Thriving” montage and fear of a lockdown and where the money will come from if that is to happen and you get an over-worked frantic woman. This is something that most of us creatives face that nobody ever really talks about and it gets swept under the rug. As I believe there is a lesson in just about everything we face, I would like to share 5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout with hopes that it will help you too if you are going through this situation.
5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout
What Exactly is Creative Burnout?
Creative burnout can be defined as that heavy feeling of exhaustion and lack of interest in the work that you do. Creative Burnout tends to be particularly heartbreaking because artists are very passionate.
- Know + Respect your Limits: I am going to be 100% honest and say sometimes when It comes to work I do not know my limits or can’t seem to say no. Not to throw anybody under the bus, but let’s just say I may or may not have a boss who does not understand that people are not drones who can turnover endless amounts of work on a continuous cycle. This was the biggest issue that led to said burnout and going forward my limit is 4 Accounts with 5 pushing it and for extra pay. We all have our limits and a tipping point which we should set for ourselves and for those around us to also know and respect.
- Get out of Negative Spaces: So, I work in a male-dominated environment which is not an issue but sometimes it gets a little weird! There are often these weird jokes about females being “females” or “emotional” when you raise a point or use your voice to feel like an equal just to express how you’re feeling. Let’s put this into context — remember that episode of Girlfriends where Joan was being overlooked at work and the guys would just totally blatantly ignore her and the one time she spoke up for herself it was deemed as “lady problems” I.E she was on her period (which she was not). It can’t be “ok” that your feeling of exhaustion should be linked to the fact that you are female and should not complain as the guys are doing the same thing. It’s 2020, we can do better. To remedy this, I sit at the back of the office and work quietly without being bothered with my “lady problems”.
- Practice Saying “No”: Or in the words of Maya Wilks (another Girlfriends reference) … “Oh Hell No”! I do my best work once I know about the project in advance and I’ve received the proper briefing. Those Projects that just “turn-up” overnight ISSA NO! NO, I can’t pull off a 30- day schedule in 1 day, No I can’t go to an out of town meeting you’ve known about 3 days ago but just remembered to tell me 5 minutes ago. NO, I’m not taking on anything else because my workload is at a high volume. Practice saying no and to things that just don’t suit you.
women feel like we can’t say ‘no,’ or that we have to work extra just to prove our existence in a certain space. I’m trying to resist all of that.”
4. Take a Break or Give yourself one: This is something I’ve been practicing since last year and here’s how. I would go on walks in the middle of the afternoon when I felt that tired feeling creeping in. Since this year, however, that has been hard since we’ve changed offices and there is literally nowhere to walk to. For this, I take my phone while watching a video and go outside to just chill for 15 – 30 minutes. That might seem long but bear in mind I get to work at 7 and I’m staring at the screen for hours! If you find it hard to pull away just get up and go out! If there is a mall, stores, or shops nearby, take a drive and just leave that office for a few minutes. A change of scenery helps more than you think to be refreshed. If you have an open office like me where even at lunch people are still talking about work-related stuff, respectfully tell them ” I’ll get to it after lunch” or eat in your car!
5. Stay True to Yourself: Something has got to give! If you find that you can no longer flourish in a particular space, start planning an escape plan! I am not telling anybody to quit their jobs in these hard times because bills are real. Start updating your resume, asking around about opportunities, and look at opportunities that require less of your time. Too often we stay in a situation that no longer serves us simply because of fear — If you have a plan in place that is workable there is no need to fear. There is always that gut feeling telling you when it’s time to move on and take on another challenge or in this case, something milder! Stay true to yourself and work with how you feel and have a solid plan.
#5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout
#5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout
#5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout
#5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout
#5 Things I’ve Learned from Having Creative Burnout
