Artistic Burnout
You Can’t Create If You’re Constantly Producing
Burnout doesn’t always come with flashing warning signs.
Often, it shows up as a quiet exhaustion — a sense that every day is starting to feel the same. That you’re stuck in a loop of producing, producing, producing… with no room to breathe.
One artist shared with me that they’d been in writing sessions almost every day for a year. They told me it started to feel like Groundhog Day.
So I said: Let’s write about that.
But more importantly: You need a break.
Here’s the thing — you need to live life to have something to write about.
You need space. Joy. Heartbreak. Beauty. Curiosity. That’s where the inspiration comes from. Not the grind.
Sometimes that means taking a three-month break and going to Alaska (yes, that happened).
But sometimes it’s as simple as:
Taking a walk, get in NATURE
Visit a museum - get inspired in art outside of music
Meditate + Exercise - deep rest, reset + dopamine
Saying no to one more session
Small moments of rest add up. They’re not wasted time — they’re necessary time.
Burnout thrives in constant output. Creativity thrives in balance.
So if you feel drained, ask yourself:
Have I given myself enough life to write about?
Don’t Just Ask for Help — Be Clear About What You Need
When you’re working toward a creative or career goal, it’s easy to feel stuck. And when that happens, you might be tempted to reach out for help in the form of, “I just need some support to succeed.”
But here’s the truth: People love to help people who are already doing the work.
They love to support others who show commitment and clarity — not just vague ambition.
The difference? It’s in the ask.
Instead of saying, “I need help with my career,” say something like:
“I’m working on a project, and I’m stuck on [X]. I know you’ve had experience in this area — could I ask you a few specific questions?”
That level of clarity tells someone:
You’ve already taken initiative.
You respect their time.
You know what you’re trying to solve.
It’s not about being perfect or having it all figured out. It’s about showing up with intention and effort — and then asking for support. People want to lift others who are already moving.
So before you reach out, ask yourself:
What do I actually need?
And what have I already tried?
The more specific you are, the more helpful the answers will be.
Reaching out to a mentor, a colleague can help you get unstuck, move the needle + avoid the burnout that comes from spinning your wheels!
Creativity Has Seasons — Are You In the Right One?
There’s a cycle to creativity. And when you understand what stage you’re in, everything starts to make more sense.
Some seasons are for gathering — living life, letting ideas simmer.
Others are for creating — writing, making, building.
Then there’s the sharing phase — performing, releasing, connecting with others.
The problem? Burnout often comes when you’re trying to force one season in the middle of another.
You’re in a gathering phase but trying to produce.
You’re in an output phase but pushing yourself to write something new.
Instead, pause and ask:
What season am I in right now?
If you’re touring or promoting, give yourself permission not to be writing all the time.
If you’re marinating ideas, don’t rush them. Let them brew until they’re ready.
And know that every season is valuable. Even the quiet ones. Especially the quiet ones.
You don’t have to do everything all the time.
You just have to do the right thing for this time.
Give yourself time to reflect so you pause + take care of yourself before you hit burnout.