"Let's be real—creativity isn’t some bottomless well of inspiration we can dip into on demand… or at least, that’s what we’ve been told. But what if it is?"
In the depths of my soul, I believe the well of inspiration has no ending...no boundary lines that say, oh you've reached your limit for the week, time for some dried up days of being an emotional wreck.
Some days, the ideas flow like a waterfall. Other days? Yes...it's a sad, dried-up puddle of "meh." And when you're a professional creative-whether that's painting, speaking, writing, or any other form of magic-making-burnout is a very real, very sneaky beast. But I don't believe it has to be this way!
I've been there. That place where creativity starts feeling like a chore, where even the things that used to light me up feel... heavy. But I've learned a few tricks to keep the spark alive without running myself into the ground.
1. Rest is Not Laziness-It's Fuel
If your brain feels like a scrambled egg—overworked, overheated, and stuck to the pan—take a step back. I used to think hustling harder would reignite my passion, but creativity thrives in the quiet moments. Go for a walk. Stare at a sunset. Do something completely unrelated to your craft. You don't "lose momentum" by resting-you gain it.
2. Shake Up Your Routine
Burnout often comes when we're stuck in a loop of sameness. Change it up. Try a new medium, a new setting, or a completely different creative challenge. If you're a speaker, write a poem. If you're a painter, tell a story. Stretch different muscles-you might be surprised what wakes up.
3. Remember Why You Started
It's easy to get lost in deadlines, client expectations, and "what will sell." But why did you start this in the first place? Go back to the version of you who created just for the love of it. Even if it’s just for ten minutes, create purely for yourself—no pressure, no audience. Create with no agenda you will discover there is a stronger, purer fuel that fires the flame!
4. Connect with Other Creatives
Burnout thrives in isolation. Find people who get it-who understand the weird, wonderful rollercoaster of making things for a living. Whether it's a chat with a fellow artist, a mastermind group, or just a good rant over coffee, creative energy is contagious. A mate of mine always says, ‘Collaboration trumps genius’—and it's so true! You will unearth some gems that light up with the world when you connect and work with others.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Evolve
Sometimes, burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s a nudge toward growth. Maybe your art, your message, or your process is craving change. Pay attention. Lean in. Creativity isn’t meant to be static, and neither are you. I often wonder about artists who’ve stuck to the same style for decades—do they ever long to try something different? And if they do, do they hide it away because it’s ‘off brand’? But why should we limit ourselves? We evolve—our faces gain new lines, our hair earns its silver ‘glitter’ (lol), so why shouldn’t our creative expression evolve too?
At the end of the day, your creativity is a fire, but you don't have to burn out to keep it burning. Protect it. Nurture it. And when in doubt? Take a breath. The spark always comes back. And if you do the inner work, you'll realize the flame never truly burns out—it just shifts, teaching you where to go next. So lean in. Go deeper.
Photo credit: Sophie B Photography
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