Keeping Creativity & Innovation Alive During Seasons of Burnout

The spring semester of my sophomore year in high school, I walked the hallways, blaring “If I Ever Feel Better” and “Everything is Everything” by Phoenix through my headphones, with the most conviction. I’m pretty confident that anyone who heard the lyrics: “They say can end can be a start” as they passed by, knew I was going through my idealistic pre-adolescent phase. Even now, as a twenty-something, with even more life experience, some years in the corporate world, a few college degrees under my belt, and real-world experience navigating entrepreneurship, I think I know a thing or two about the ebbs & flows of this beautiful, moonstruck, sometimes bittersweet life.

I am familiar with the convoluted feeling of drifting into new territory. I know how it feels to fall slowly and lose rhythm. You know, when the days sort of bleed into each other? Days become weeks. Months jump into a year of floating in a state of stillness. Even for someone who embraces the quiet seasons of life, there’s a certain type of monotony that settles in your mind like a semi-permanent reminder that nothing changes, if nothing changes.

I’m sure we have all been there: on the brink of something new, with a colorless, drab cloud hanging over our imaginative spirit, leaving us to wonder ‘What’s next?’ I’ve learned that there is a fine line between stepping into newness, and treading onto the unknown. There’s even a finer line between burnout, the ebbs of life, and writer’s block.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, you write or create art for a living, you are in a demanding career field that requires you to constantly reinvent processes, or you are simply just waiting for that next phase in your life—I’m sure that you know the sinking, frustrating feeling of staring at a blank page. Figuratively and literally speaking. When the going gets tough, it can be all too easy for our creativity, visionary thinking, and intuitive nature to take a backseat.

Looking back, I’ve certainly been in those shoes, but I always figured out how to make my way back to myself. The version of me that is rampant with ideas and fueled by the desire to knock the world right off its feet, and straight onto its head. Circumstances only blossomed, life only unfolded, and art forms only flourished when I decided to change the routines and patterns in my life.

It’s funny, when you’re really young, you have this fierce resilience and knowingness that the world is your oyster. And an innate understanding that life is your both your teacher and your friend. Then, decades of friendships, relationships, influences from your job, school, and environment change that firecracker inside of you. You start to lose heart, your originality, and the makings of who you are. This is when your work becomes uninspired and lifeless. When you stamp your name on a project, concept, or movement, you should feel committed, and overwhelmed with passion. When seeking new adventure, your should be excited to embark on new territory. Yet, when you’ve been stuck in a routine that leaves you disconnected from expansive, abundant thinking, it is time to mix things up.

Here are some practical ways to: Keep Creativity & Innovation Alive During Seasons of Burnout.

1. Acknowledge the Block

First, acknowledge that your creative block is a common experience. The most artistic, innovative, futuristic individuals have experienced this. Instead of being overly critical of yourself, allow yourself permission to feel stuck. Recognizing that this is part of the creative process can relieve some pressure. It’s okay to take a moment and just breathe. You don’t have to have everything figured out in a day, or over the course of one weekend.

2. Change Your Environment

A simple change of scenery can work wonders for your creativity. If your home office is no longer sparking innovation, try resetting it by first cleaning it, and then reformatting it. Sometimes, moving furniture around or adding greenery can open up the space. If you need a different view altogether, visit a local coffeehouse, biergarten, to spark new ideas and shift your perspective. Never underestimate the value of taking a weekend trip, or flying out to another city to feel inspired about your work, your art, and also your life.

3. Revisit Your Inspirations

Take a trip down memory lane. Look through your favorite books, articles, print media, or even quotes that inspire you. Create a music playlist with past music that still resonates with you. Listening to my old post-punk revival playlist usually does the trick. Reconnecting with what initially sparked your passion can help reignite that creative fire. Consider creating a vision board or a digital folder filled with inspiring material. Time to time, I look at a digitalized vision board that illustrates my future aspirations. The things you aspire are achievable, you just have to be abundant in your thinking.

4. Take Breaks and Prioritize Self-Care

Burnout often stems from neglecting your own needs. Make self-care a priority. There’s no good reason to torture yourself by staying glued to a computer screen for hours. Your mind and body needs breaks. Develop the healthy habit of going on walks. When you’re stuck on an idea, revisit it later. Going to yoga classes, taking half-hour walks in the morning, and visiting local nature trails is the perfect escapism for those days when you are in a creative rut. Trust me when I say that stepping away gives your mind the space it needs to recharge.

5. Engage with Likeminded Influences

A few times out of the month, attend workshops and events in your industry. Connecting with likeminded individuals can positively impact and influence you. If you’re a writer, join a writing club. If you are a photographer, start a monthly meetup to share tips and talk about the highs and lows of running a photography business. Make time to grab dinner with likeminded friends and associates who likely share the same creative struggles as you. I guarantee that hearing others’ experiences will be equally validating and eye-opening for you.