For artists, creatives, and hobby enthusiasts, here are 8 simple ways to overcome creativity burnout, written by someone who is a professional at burning herself out creatively… and coming back from it.
Today I am burnt out. I didn’t want to get out of bed, and cried when my partner told me we’d run out of avocado.
This may seem like first-world problems, but the pandemic has taken a toll on me (and everyone). Resilience is lower than average, and I have way too much on my plate.
The work never seems to end, and there is no room in my brain for creativity. Frankly I’m ready to quit and become a barista in Bali. At least there’s no thinking involved in brewing coffee.
Because I’m a professional at burning myself out, I can recognise this state and implement the necessary tools to bounce back, without any self-limiting stories about my worth or will.
But I understand for a lot of you, creativity burnout feels like a brokenness from which there is no recovery. And I’m telling you, there is. And it’s simpler than you think.
You’re here, you’ve arrived and I’ve got you.
Here are 8 simple ways to overcome creativity burnout for all artists, creatives and hobby enthusiasts who are wanting to feel better in tune with their creativity.
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8 simple ways to overcome creativity burnout
1. Turn off all entertainment
For me, a telltale sign of burnout is when I become consumed by distractions. If I’m trying to get a task done but I can’t stop scrolling, I’m usually in trouble. As I write this blog post, I’m reaching for my phone. Which is ironic, considering I’m writing on this topic because I am creatively burnt out.
When we’re burnt out, our brains have nothing left to give. Yet we continue to ask for output, and never really get anywhere.
Here’s an idea. Let the mind rest. And that can be achieved by turning off all entertainment. That includes phone usage, television, and all other forms of content consumption.
Try to do a nourishing task with minimal distractions… like journaling or cooking a meal. Retrain your mind to focus. This is a simple formula to achieve a state of flow, which rejuvenates the mind.
It may sound radical to stay away from all entertainment forms. And it isn’t forever. But without distractions, we regain the ability to ground ourselves, focus, and have better time management. All for the purpose of decreasing overwhelm.
2. Let go of attachment to outcomes
This one is difficult, especially if you have clients awaiting your creative deliverables. The line is blurred when your creative hobby is also your job.
There is noise in the mind to create perfectly. Even if you’re only creating for yourself, there are disruptive thoughts like “what will people think” and “who do I think I am”.
First, this is normal. Art is an inherently vulnerable thing. It’s okay to care.
But the best advice I ever received was to release attachment to outcomes.
At a subconscious level, this permits the brain to let go of perfectionism. To simplify things a bit. Remove the pressure and the stress, all the gunk that lands us in creativity burnout.
When we place external pressure on our art, such as money or opinions, our flow is stunted. The work starts to feel a bit forced.
When we remove such pressures… when we prioritise joy and fulfillment and creating for the sake of creating… suddenly, everything is easier.
Think what you would create if you knew it would never see the light of day. Your wellbeing matters first. Create for you, and no one else.
3. Undertake a personal creative project
Consider this an exercise in what we discussed in #2: to release attachment to outcomes.
Since my creative outlet is now also my job, it is essential that I have personal projects. Just because they make me happy. These can be small or large, and there aren’t any rules other than your enjoyment.
Last year, I found a giant wool coat at a vintage shop. I’ve been meaning to get it altered for months. This week, I finally emailed a fashion designer and over the next few weeks, she and I will work on a concept to elevate the piece into the cottage-core coat of my dreams. Why? Because I want to. The project excites me, I feel inspired, and if I hate it, no harm no foul.
Think of it as retraining the brain to enjoy creativity again. A strange thing to say, when the essence of creativity is rooted in joy. But when we experience creativity burnout, there’s a fear that we have lost the capability to be creative. This is a fun exercise to rebuild trust with yourself. To understand that creativity exists within you always… you just need to hone how to call it forth.
4. Reflect (part 1): look back on your past work
When someone suggested this to me, I had an instant reaction. Mostly of horror. Why would I want to revisit my shitty past work with a cringe factor of 100? That won’t make me feel better. It would just remind me of the impostor I really am.
This made me confront something I still hold true about myself: that even as my work improves and my business continues to grow… I will always be an impostor.
For some reason, the discomfort of learning new skills makes us all impostors.
This, of course, is nonsense.
Looking back on past work is a tangible tool to measure growth. And it is the only measuring tool that matters.
My psychologist once told me: the only worthwhile comparison is to you of yesterday.
We all compare ourselves to others. We all know it’s toxic. So consider this a reminder.
If you look back and see growth within yourself… and this goes beyond your artistic abilities… you’re on the right track.
You were never an impostor. Only a beginner, wide-eyed and brave at the start of the journey.
5. Reflect (part 2): how high are your expectations of yourself?
Here on this blog, we are all about confronting questions on the path to inner reconciliation. And this one’s a biggie.
Here you are, in creativity burnout. And I want you to ask yourself: how much output do you expect of yourself on a daily basis? How high are your expectations of yourself and your “future”?
This one strikes home for me. And here’s why.
I grew up in a household that made me out to be a golden child while at the same time airing my every incompetence. It was like there was all this potential I was wasting. Expectations of me were set so high that failure was inevitable.
This is something my child brain took onboard as a way of life. Forever.
Sometimes I work 15-hour days and still feel like it wasn’t enough.
Back then, no one told me life was my own playground. And I could choose to play however I fucking wanted. Everyone has that right.
When you have no boundaries (either with yourself, or others, or both), you are on the road to burnout.
Learn to say no. If possible, only take on projects that benefit you in a crucial way… financially, creatively, or mentally.
More importantly, learn to say no to yourself. To be strict about violating your own boundaries, whatever they may be.
For me, I have to turn off all screens by 8pm. I give myself a 30-min error margin. But after that I move into my evening routine no matter how much work there is to do. Another boundary is that I no longer take on any projects (free or paid) unless the work excites me in some way.
This is important stuff so ask yourself: when will it be enough? And how can you instill boundaries so that you are guarding yourself from burnout?
6. Declutter
For me, creativity burnout usually links to overwhelm. Thinking of a task I’m avoiding is distressing. And putting it off makes it worse. Add to that a pile of dirty dishes, and I’m spiraling.
Creativity requires a certain level of focus. And our ability to focus is disrupted by untidy spaces.
Do not underestimate the power of decluttering. Do the dishes so you wake up to a clean kitchen. Finish those piles of laundry. Clear out your inbox and do all the admin you’ve been putting off.
Remember, I’m a professional at creativity burnout. And decluttering always feels like an act of self-care, always accelerates the journey back to a better headspace.
Another exercise is to clear out the mental gunk. Do this every morning by writing a list of all the buzzing thoughts in your head. These can be worries, emotions, a to-do list, a pesky dream, any thought that’s on repeat in your head.
Decluttering is powerful because it’s grounding. You come out of your head and back into the space around you. Every time I do this, it’s like I’m noticing my house for the first time. I might have missed that a plant had grown, or that my tea supply runs low. I re-engage with my environment and that’s where creativity lives.
7. Reduce stress by slowing down
After decluttering your space (physically, mentally, virtually), you might finally notice a sense of slowing down. The day opens with possibilities and you might consider a few nourishing activities, like going for a walk or restocking your essentials.
Reducing stress often seems like an impossible task, layered with politics and nuance. But we can approach it quite simply.
Make time every day for something that feels good. For me, this is as simple as putting on a pot of tea, lighting a candle, and reading a book. If I feel cooped up, I go for a drive to catch the sunset. Or have drinks with friends. Or call my mom.
You know… all the things that make life worth living.
I used to think reducing stress was this arduous years-long journey that required professional intervention. (And in some ways, it is). But it’s mostly understanding what brings you joy.
If you are in creativity burnout, it’s likely because being creative does bring you joy… but somewhere along the way, your work-life balance fell out of whack. So go back to the basics. Creativity happens when we engage with the world around us… not by overworking or overthinking.
8. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep
Last but not least, it’s crucial that everyone – everyone – is getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night. These days, there are mountains of evidence why a healthy circadian rhythm is essential for brain health, heart health, immunity and emotional wellbeing.
Humans are sophisticated creatures on an endless quest to homeostasis And homeostasis is achieved when our internal systems are in harmony and communicating with each other. And sleep is the oil that keeps this machine running.
Sleep unclogs the gutters. It plays a role in cognition, memory, and emotional reconciliation. It clears away “brain fog” and fast-tracks us back into a creative state of mind.
To make sure you get a restful sleep, implement an evening routine. There are many protocols out there on preparing your body for sleep, but a few basics include turning off all screens, taking a hot shower, meditation and breathwork. If you want to know more – and frankly have your mind blown – check out the Huberman Lab’s Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake.
If you are in creativity burnout, a strict sleep schedule will go a long way to overcome it.
Final thoughts for creatives: simple ways to overcome creativity burnout
As you can tell from this list, a general theme to overcome creativity burnout is letting go of pressure. Remember to check in with yourself and come back to your environment.
Creativity is something that comes when we aren’t trying too hard. Instead of grasping desperately for it, refocus your energy on slowing down. Remember to be compassionate with yourself. And trust that your creativity will return, in time, once you are better rested.
Go gently
P
