Creative burnout and bouncing back
Parent Post
Creativity is fragile: it
Creativity is fragile: it needs to be fed enough inspiration, but not too much, for consuming an excessive amount of information may destroy its delicate balance.
It needs space to grow, but should not be forced, for mechanical work may lead to the lifeless output.
Despite all our care, sometimes, it seems to be gone: the creativity tap has run dry. We experience the dreaded creative burnout.
The symptoms can be hard to pinpoint, and the potential causes are many.
How to bounce back
How to bounce back from creative burnout
Creative burnout can make us feel powerless as if there was nothing to be done about it.
But we do have agency and can use simple strategies to break the cycle.
- Get support.
- Take a break.
- Make space for self-reflection.
- Look at your past work.
- Start with the basics.
Don’t forget to be kind to yourself.
Creative burnout can stem from perfectionism, external pressure, high expectations, or hypersensitivity. It’s a temporary state, not a permanent condition.
Prevention is better than
Prevention is better than cure
While there are simple strategies to manage creative burnout, the best way to deal with it is to avoid burning out in the first place.
Because of all the different causes of creative burnout, it may not always be possible, but creating a mental scaffolding to support your health and creativity can go a long way.
- Metacognition
- Mindful Productivity
- Habits, routines, rituals
- Information diet.
- Structured distraction
Symptoms of creative burnoutBefore
Symptoms of creative burnout
Before you can bounce back, you need to notice something is wrong. Pay attention to the following signs of creative burnout.
If you have more than two symptoms, it may be time to shake things up.
- Procrastination.
- Struggle to do basic work.
- Constant exhaustion.
- Inexplicable stress.
- Unhealthy comparisons.
- Unbalanced content consumption.
- Morning dread.
- Harmful habits.
- Irritability.
- Self-doubt.
Our individual differences affect
Our individual differences affect the way we experience creative burnout. For some, it may be easier to manage, while for others it may feel insurmountable.
Wherever you currently sit on the spectrum, know that it is possible to break the cycle and bounce back; that people around you are one of the best sources of support; and that creative burnout means absolutely nothing about your passion, talent, or work ethics.
There are two important
There are two important caveats to this list of signs.
First, there is a difference between creative burnout and the good old creative block. Feeling occasionally stuck when working on a project is perfectly normal.
Second, if you are experiencing many of these signs or even just one of these signs for a long time, it may be more serious than creative burnout.
In doubt, it’s always worth talking to a professional.