You know those nights when you go to bed and you almost dread going to work, and then you get to work the next day and you don’t want to do anything? You sit in your workspace exhausted. You’re annoyed that you’re even there and you’re unhappy with everything you’re doing. On every front, you feel beat down and stuck. For weeks on end, going through the motions has been the name of the game.
This poster was born out of my love of aviation, and out of my experiences as a flight student.
If this sounds like you, it’s likely that you are experiencing burnout. Recently, I have been feeling this, too. In fact, my whole summer was pretty well defined by burnout. My creative work started feeling bland and unexciting. I could get excited about my clients and their projects but when it came time to actually do the work, it seemed all but impossible to sit down and get to the projects. Luckily for me, I never missed any deadlines, but I know there are many creatives who have come close or even missed them. Burnout is not a light matter, especially for the creative. It can lead to a lack of motivation, at best and health complications at worst. Maybe you’re here right now. Maybe your creative life needs a little CPR. Well, the secret might be simpler than you think.
Have you ever spent a significant amount of time considering what kind of things you want to create? You know all those ideas that you have that you push to the back of your mind because they aren’t for clients and they aren’t for pay? One solution to burnout is dusting those ideas off and bringing a few of them to life. You’re not on a deadline, you’re not bound to client demands, so why not create something for the joy of creating? After all, you didn’t get into creative work because you wanted a job that would allow you the least amount of fun as possible (although, arguably, some days make you wonder). That’s why it’s time to create for an audience of one. Create for you. Create for the joy of making. Dust off those old ideas that you’ve been putting off and start working on one of them. Reflect on why you got into creative work in the first place.
As I mentioned above, I experienced creative burnout this summer. It felt like I couldn’t have a good idea to save my life, and the challenging part was that I was working for a client. I went through probably 50 concepts before coming up with something I deemed worthy to produce, and that introduced a lot of insecurity into my work. I talked to my boyfriend and he pointed out that it had been a while since I had created something for the joy of creating. That’s when I decided to slow it down with client work and invest in my business by investing in me as an artist. I am deliberately setting time aside in my workday to focus on what I want to create for me. The burnout is fading.
I created a logo based on my pursuit of a career in aviation.
In 2014, I had the pleasure of hearing Ty Mattson speak at Design Camp. A portion of his keynote was devoted to sharing about his passion projects, the work he did because he enjoyed the subject matter. His commitment to working for joy paid off as he is now known for his poster designs. When I talk to someone about personal projects and mention Mattson, nobody has any idea who I’m talking about. When I say, “You know the guy who did those really cool Dexter and Lost posters?” They immediately know the work I’m talking about even if they don’t recognize his name. Personal projects aren’t just to dig you out of a rut. They are a low-pressure way of connecting with those around you. We’re designed for connection, and when our need for it is met, something in us is revitalized, reenergized. Even if it’s just a matter of having something to talk about that excites us, that enthusiasm captivates people. When we create something that resonates with others and, thus, fostering connection, we give ourselves the energy to break the burnout.
This is just one strategy for coping with creative burnout or burnout of any kind. Burnout can be brought on by a lot of things. Sometimes it’s mental illness, excess stress, a toxic work environment, or even a physical ailment. Some things can’t be solved with a good personal project. For the things that can, the best thing you can do before taking on any new projects is rest. Give yourself a break from your work and allow yourself to mentally and physically reset. Sometimes, we don’t have the option to rest or take a break from work. If that’s you, try to give yourself downtime every single day. It may even help to see a therapist, even if just temporarily. Therapists are amazing people, and I’m of the opinion that everyone can benefit from seeing a therapist. Regardless of what burnout looks like in your life, take some steps this week to rest and invest in yourself.