BATTLING CREATIVE BURNOUt
BATTLING CREATIVE BURNOUT [T-H-I-N-K]
Creativity isn't just a source of joy—it's essential for our mental and physical health. But what happens when your creative spark dims? Anybody feeling this?
Spotting Burnout: Do You Feel...?
Exhausted even after a good night's sleep?
Doubtful about your talents, obsessing over perfection?
Unmotivated and avoiding the studio for days on end?
Overwhelmed by the thought of starting a new painting?
Stressed without a clear reason, feeling irritable or physically unwell?
If you nodded to several of these, you might be experiencing creative burnout.
Kick-starting Your Creativity Again:
Connect: Share your struggles with supportive friends.
Take a Break: Step back to recharge. Explore non-artistic pursuits like getting outside in nature, getting a massage or pedicure, or taking a yoga class.
Reflect and Reset: Revisit past successes — look at your work from 5 years ago to see how far you’ve come.
Learn and Experiment: Improve your skills — take an online or in person workshop or try a new artistic direction.
Reorganize: Tweak your schedule to better suit your creative rhythm. This includes avoiding social media first thing in the morning!
Start Small: I like to do painting starts or work on small paper pieces to get going again. I also set a timer — usually for 10-15 minutes. When it goes off, I’m done for that day in the studio.
Staying Bright: Preventing Burnout
Plan Breaks: Regular downtime is vital - the irony is that it will improve your productivity!
Prioritize: Focus on what truly needs your attention and delegate or defer the rest.
Know Your Creative Chronotype (see below)
Say No: Not every opportunity is worth your energy. (Saying no is hard to do sometimes, but necessary!)
Mix It Up: Try something new: a new tool, a new medium, a new substrate.
Limit Digital Intake: Set boundaries for social media — it’s amazing how limiting your time on social media can make a huge difference.
Creative burnout is typically a phase—it's manageable and usually temporary. Personally I’ve gone through creative burnout multiple times in my career. It’s a sure sign I need a break!
Getting Your Rhythm Right: What’s Your Creative Chronotype? [k-n-o-w]
Everyone has that golden hour when their creativity soars like an eagle—mine happens to strike at dawn. By the time lunch rolls around, my brain often feels like it's turned to mush, desperately crying out for a caffeine lifeline by 2 PM. That's why I tackle the toughest tasks right after my first cup of coffee. This not only lifts a huge weight off my shoulders but also ensures I maximize my prime studio hours. If I delay, I find my productivity wanes, and I risk losing precious time that could have been spent splashing color on canvas.
Contrast this with a good friend of mine, who takes a different approach. Her day doesn't start in the studio. Instead, she dives into clearing her inbox, scrolling through social media, and settling bills—all the mundane tasks—before she can think creatively. Although she's also an early riser, her actual painting time is squeezed into a narrow window before her energy dips.
Then there’s another friend, the quintessential night owl. Mornings for him are slow—often painfully so. It takes him a couple of hours and numerous coffees to find his stride. But come evening, when most of us are winding down, he's just hitting his creative peak, often painting his best works long after dinner.
What's Your Creative Chronotype?
Identifying and embracing your personal “creative chronotype” (a chronotype refers to an individual's natural inclination regarding the times of day they prefer to sleep or when they are most alert and active) can revolutionize the way you approach your art. Whether you're an early bird, a night owl, or someone who finds their muse in the chaos of the midday, understanding your natural rhythm can help you optimize your creative output without burning out.
[g-r-o-w]
“In hard times urging people to stay positive doesn’t boost their resilience.
It denies their reality.” #AdamGrant