Last week, I finished my 4th quarter of graduate school. I was so excited for a three-week break. I was planning on doing some painting, writing, and other fun crafty things. But when my last final was turned in, and the first school free Monday came around, I felt like doing nothing! I didn’t want to write. I didn’t want to paint. I didn’t want to do anything creative. All I wanted to do was lounge around and watch Netflix. I was experiencing the dreaded creative burnout!!
While I was in the midst of my burnout, I was trying to rally myself into making a move creatively. When that didn’t work, I started feeling bad about my lack of motivation. And then the shame spiral kicked in. I should have done this…I am so lazy…what is wrong with me…and so on. Once the shame spiral kicks in, it can be pretty tricky to get out of it.
I’ve been through this spiral more than enough times to know it is not a helpful motivational practice. I knew if I wanted to break through my burnout, trying to shame myself into action wasn’t going to cut it. I needed to look at it from a different perspective. So these are a few of the tricks I use to get myself out of the negative mental trap.
Talk to yourself like you’d talk to someone you love.
Be empathetic and understanding just like you would be to your best friend. There is no way you would your tell your best fiend he/she was lazy or worthless. So why would you say that to yourself? Show yourself a little love and kindness.
Make time for connection.
Now that you are your own best friend, go reach out to the ones outside of your head. Spending time with friends and loved ones is key for your mental well-being. They can either help you forget your troubles for a bit, or they can normalize them for you. The phrase, “Oh I’ve been there before…” can bring such relief sometimes.
Give yourself permission to feel crummy sometimes.
You don’t have to dwell at this state forever, but I think if you ignore negative feelings, they will fester and become a bigger problem later. I like to mix in the first tip with this one. I accept that I feel bad, but I also add in some empathy, understanding and kind self talk. I find it to be a good combination.
Creative burnout happens to all of us from time to time. But when you find yourself feeling run down creatively, give yourself a break. You don’t have to be on top of your game 100% of the time. And keep these tips in mind if you ever feel the spiral coming on.
Share your thoughts with the Handmade Loves community about combating creative burnout, or any other forms of self-care. We would love to hear them!
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My puppy, Griffey, helping me through creative burnout!
