Creative burnout can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to reignite your creativity and find inspiration again. Sometimes, when it’s your job to be creative, it can be emotionally exhausting to constantly innovate. After I come home from a wedding, I am completely useless for a couple of days. I call this feeling a “wedding hangover.” I find it difficult to respond to emails, much less pursue more creative aspects of running my business, such as designing shoots, creating social media content, and writing blogs. Weddings are like a giant expenditure of creative resources in my mind. I need to take a step back to replenish the most precious resource that makes my business and brand unique. Can you relate? Here are 5 ways I personally stop creative burnout: 

Take Breaks to Avoid Creative Burnout

Sometimes, the best way to overcome burnout is to step away from your creative work for a while. Engage in activities that have nothing to do with your creative pursuits. This can be activities such as spending time outdoors, reading a book, or practicing mindfulness. Giving your mind a chance to rest and recharge often leads to a fresh perspective and renewed creativity when you return to your work. After a wedding, I plan to do nothing the day after beyond backing up my files. 

Here’s a tip for those not in the wedding business that I picked up from architecture and design. When facing a creative block, I jot down my stream of consciousness for at least two pages without judgment and let my thoughts wander. Step away from your project for a couple of days and do a daily mind dump on paper until you’re ready to dive back into creativity. It doesn’t have to directly tie into the current project.

Explore New Interests

Expose yourself to new experiences and interests outside of your usual routine. This can help stimulate your creativity by introducing new ideas and perspectives. Take up a new hobby, learn a new skill, or explore a different artistic medium. The new experiences and challenges can help break through creative blocks and reignite your passion for creating. 

I call this an “artist date.” It’s best to go on these dates alone so you can be alone with your own thoughts. I often find myself practicing this on accident when on a date or with friends. The point is to get yourself out of your comfort zone! Inspiration can be found in the most unlikely places, and true creativity can come from merging vastly different ideas into one. Pay attention to the things that spark your curiosity and make note of them. By exposing yourself to a variety of creative influences, you can replenish your creative well and find new ideas to explore in your own work. Artist dates can entail attending a pottery class, dancing lesson, visiting an art museum, dining alone at a fancy restaurant, learning a new language, or taking a cooking class. You never know when inspiration will strike. 

Establish a Routine

While creativity often thrives on spontaneity, having a routine can provide structure and stability, which can be especially helpful during periods of burnout. Set aside specific times for creative work, but also make sure to schedule regular breaks and self-care activities. Having a balanced routine can help prevent burnout by ensuring that you have time for both work and relaxation. I walk my dog daily in the same park and soak up the sun before beginning work. This simple act opens my mind, and I find creative energy flowing more freely. Sometimes, when I cannot walk, I am less productive during the day. 

Connect with Others to Stop Creative Burnout

Don’t underestimate the power of collaboration and community in overcoming creative burnout. Reach out to fellow creatives for support, feedback, and encouragement. Joining a creative group or participating in events can provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. It can also help and gain a fresh perspectives on your work. Sharing your experiences with others who understand can help alleviate feelings of isolation and rekindle your enthusiasm for your creative pursuits. 

Let’s face it, being a creative business owner means that you more than likely work from home, and your coworker is probably your fluffy dog sitting next to you as you read this. I used to not believe in networking, but now that I’ve developed relationships within the wedding industry, I’ve realized how crucial connection really is. It’s not important just because I am getting a job out of the connection; I have found people that I can truly call friends, and we can relate on so many different aspects of the day to day of running a wedding related business. I have found sudo coworkers, if you will, and this connection is often the key ingredient missing in most self-employed individuals’ lives. 

Read the Artist’s Way

I recommend you read The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron. This book seriously changed my life and view of creativity. It is a self-help book that guides you through a 12-week process to regain a creative identity. Whether it’s through art, work or life. The book offers insights, exercises, and tools to overcome creative blocks and become more imaginative and productive in all areas of life.

When your job is to be creative, constantly innovating can be exhausting. Taking breaks, trying new things, sticking to routines, reaching out to others, and reading books like “The Artist’s Way” can be real game changers in your life. By giving these ideas a shot, new creativity can reignite inside you, opening up a path to new ideas. Also don’t forget check out the blog for more blogs surrounding creative business owners.

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