How to Prevent Burnout as an Artist
We’ve all been there: you cancel plans you’ve been looking forward to all week because you just need sleep. You lash at out your mom on the phone because of her “tone.” You yell at some guy on the street just because he was in your way. You’re busy and active and yet you feel exhausted and depressed.
My friend, welcome to burnout.
As someone who struggles with both depression and anxiety, burnout to me has always felt like a given. I had a mindset towards it that was just like, “yea, I’ll work really hard and push myself and then eventually I’ll be so tired that I just call out of work and take a breather.”
Um…newsflash: that does not work. Nor is it healthy.
I actually asked one of my friends how she prevents herself from burning out and her answer was basically “if you love what you’re doing enough, then you’ll never burn out.”
I wholeheartedly disagree.
So, I took my burnt out little heart and cradled her for a bit and then started digging. I started looking for signs of burnout everywhere. I analyzed my calendar and the ratio of work to social commitments to rest. And that’s where I came up with how I personally prevent burnout in my own life. My hope is that these methods help you, too.
You-Time, Every Day
At first, it might seem daunting to take time for yourself on a daily basis (and of course, some days are better than others), but I want you to find 15–30 minutes where you can just be. I take my time to myself in the mornings when I have my quiet time with the Lord. I have my coffee, pray, read the Bible, and journal. It fuels me both spiritually and emotionally and then I know that I am ready to tackle the day.
Other ways you can take time for yourself though are taking a walk, sitting and listening to music, reading a book, cooking, writing a song….whatever brings you joy. Try to make time for yourself every day.
Take One Day Off. Every Week.
This one is important. I never used to take a day off on a weekly basis, but I also always felt convicted about it. So, I finally decided in 2021 to really start taking one day off each week, and let me tell you, it is a game-changer.
Taking one day off every week is like setting a reset on your body, mind, and soul. On my day off, I don’t set an alarm, and then I do things that fuel me in the mornings like cooking a nice breakfast and tidying up the house (cleaning relaxes me). Then I usually take a walk or stretch, watch church, and then I have plans with friends or my husband.
Plan Ahead of Time
This is an imperfect science, but it’s what I used to prevent burnout and overwhelm when I was planning a covid wedding, my one-woman show, and I’ve implemented it into building my business as well. Truth is, even though it’s imperfect, it really works.
Here’s what I do: I list out everything (and I mean everything) I can think of that I need to have done by a certain time (ie, wedding date, launch date, etc…). Then, I order them by the order in which I need to complete the tasks. Then I look at the time I have before the set end date and break down the tasks into weekly and daily goals.
I recommend doing this at least 8 weeks before the “big day.” I’ve found that by giving myself 4–5 action steps per week, I am less overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done. And, even better, the week before the event, all you have to focus on is you because you’ve already done all of the other work.
Move Your Body
I look at overall health as falling into 5 categories: mental/emotional, spiritual, relational, financial/career, and physical. These 5 categories work like gears, so if one is out of whack, the others will follow.
I’m of the belief that spiritual and physical health carry the most weight on your overall health because when they are in proper working order, everything else seems to naturally fall into place.
Taking your “you-time” to connect with God is crucial for your spiritual health and getting up and moving throughout the day is crucial for your physical health. Not only does physical activity help with stress management, but it also releases endorphins which can help your body avoid burnout.
Get Off Your Phone
I take every Sunday totally off of social media and emails. I know others who intentionally don’t check their phone after 7 pm. Whatever works for you, just find a set time each day or week that you put your phone down.
Make Time For Relationships
One of the first things that I do when I feel burnt out is I stop texting people back and I start canceling plans. But so often, having a glass of wine with your best friend or taking a walk in the park with your husband is exactly what you need to help decompress. This one takes time because I also feel more self-conscious and less willing to have deep conversations when I’m burnt out, but your friends will understand and I promise you that you will feel better if you intentionally make time for your relationships even in the busiest of seasons.
Know Your “Why”
Life happens in seasons. Sometimes, you’re just going to be in a season of hustle and it is what it is. But, if you know why you’re hustling and what the end goal is, it makes it easier to push through the hustle without burning out. You also need to set a specific end goal or date so that you know when you are sleeping and hitting up your bestie to have a margarita. Having a finish line you’re excited and passionate about helps keep you energized in a crazy season.
It’s also important in a season of hustle to know what does and doesn’t serve you in that season. Maybe you love your Tuesday night carpentry class but right now you don’t have the time for it. I want you to look at your calendar square in the face and ask yourself if there is anything that you can cut out during this season or permanently. What activities and commitments are not fueling you? What did you sign up for out of guilt and not joy? Drop it.
Ultimately, the goal here is that even in a season of intense hustle, you are working from a place of rest, not fatigue. Especially as an artist, your creativity depends on a well-rested brain and body in order to create well. At the end of the day, you are only one person. You are a human and if God Himself took a day off, it would be silly to think that you can push through without taking a day off as well.
Implementing these tips and habits into your daily life will take some serious effort, planning, and some trial and error. But I promise you, these have been transformational in my own life to help me prevent burnout. I hope they help you, too.
