Once artists know what causes burnout, we get an idea of how to prevent it. Creatives often think the solution to creative block and burnout are to rest. This is true, but it’s not the full picture. Instead, we need to change our approach to our work entirely — with better boundaries, self-compassion, social support, and healthy connection with our craft.
Burnout includes: exhaustion, disengagement, dissatisfaction with our work, feeling the reward isn’t worth the effort, or worn down by others’ expectations
Burnout has some tell-tale precursors:
- Isolation and lack of support. Art is a solitary practice.
- A gap between your effort and the reward.
- Identifying with your work so you put in 100% all the time.
- Anxiety about creating something
- Feeling unsatisfied with your work
Here’s how you can proactively build resilience against the psychological and structural forces that cause creative depletion.
Perfectionism
Artists have perfectionist tendencies, but perfectionism leads to eventual burnout. When you already work in a deadline-tight environment, striving to meet every unreasonable expectation may not always be possible. Those expectations can be from your workplace or self-imposed. That’s why self-compassion is a powerful antidote.
- Be okay with good enough: Instead of aiming for perfect, aim for “it meets the brief.”
- Define what counts as done before you start. Before you start a project, make thumbnail sketches, pick one, and set criteria for what gets it to “done” and no more.
- Having separate projects just for yourself can create mental space between your own aspirations and professional pressure.
Creative Block
Creative block has notable overlap with burnout and may be an early sign. Do you feel anxiety about starting a project? Creative blocks are a common challenge for artists. Here are some strategies to overcome them:
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Change Your Environment: Sometimes, a change of scenery can spark inspiration. Try working in a different location or rearranging your workspace.
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Take Breaks: Stepping away from your work can provide clarity and fresh perspectives. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as spending time in nature or pursuing a hobby. The key is to use this time to truly not think about your work.
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Experiment: Allow yourself to explore new mediums or techniques without the pressure of producing a final product. Experimentation can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
Social Support
Creation is often a solitary pursuit, and isolation feeds burnout. The cynicism dimension of burnout involves withdrawing from others. But strong support lowers stress and helps you stay engaged. All relationships are important, but those with your colleagues, and especially your supervisors, are crucial for burnout prevention and recovery.
Supervisor support is consistently identified as one of the most crucial common themes aiding the recovery process. This support should include receiving adequate and constructive feedback.
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Schedule two 15-minute peer check-ins each week at set times.
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Use predictable critique windows (for example, Tue/Thu 3:40) instead of ad-hoc feedback.
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Join or start a small peer circle to swap wins, stuck points, and next steps.
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Ask for specific, constructive feedback and what “done” looks like before you start.
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Share your daily stop time in a group chat to normalize boundaries.
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Rotate high-pressure roles on teams so one person does not live in polish mode.
Mindfulness
Practice mindfulness by taking a nonjudgmental approach to your work, yourself, and your progress. Reframe your experiences with a positive angle. If there are parts of your work you don’t like, think about your why. Why do you do this? What do you love? Does that awareness make the other parts worth it?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present without judgment. It helps you step out of perfectionism loops, reduce anxiety about starting, and recover focus during the day.
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Mindfulness minute: two slow breaths, name the feeling, name the next step, begin.
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Cognitive reappraisal: replace “perfect” with “meets the brief”; use your definition of done.
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Self-compassion: speak to yourself as you would to a friend who is learning.
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Detachment cue after work: a shutdown sentence, close apps, short transition ritual.
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Values check: write one line on why this project matters to you and keep it visible.
Sleep
Get enough regular sleep, as sleep is shown to make people feel more effective in their work. For artists who spend long hours in front of display tablets and other screens, keep a rule about turning off devices and stepping away in the early evening. Cut off caffeine by afternoon.
Ending the day with reflection can promote self-awareness and growth. Here are some practices to consider:
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Gratitude Journaling: Write down three things you are grateful for each day. This practice can shift your mindset and foster positivity.
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Review Your Work: Take time to assess your creative output. Reflecting on what worked well and what could be improved can guide future projects.
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Wind Down: Establish a calming evening routine that signals the end of the day. This could include reading, listening to music, or practicing relaxation techniques.
Work appraisal
Audit your work resources and schedule
Work Scope Management
Manage your project scope and time so that you don’t press into longer hours. Put limits on your work and define what counts as done before you start. Be fair to yourself in your contracts with clients by including work scope clauses and additional editing fees and policies.
Creative Blocks
Creative blocks are a common challenge for artists. Here are some strategies to overcome them:
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Change Your Environment: Sometimes, a change of scenery can spark inspiration. Try working in a different location or rearranging your workspace.
-
Take Breaks: Stepping away from your work can provide clarity and fresh perspectives. Engage in activities that bring you joy, such as spending time in nature or pursuing a hobby.
-
Experiment: Allow yourself to explore new mediums or techniques without the pressure of producing a final product. Experimentation can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
To recover from burnout, focus on true rest, disconnect from work by setting boundaries and taking breaks, and reconnect with their passion by focusing on the creative process, not just the outcom. Engaging in non-art-related activities, seeking community support, and practicing self-compassion are also key strategies.
- Disconnect completely: Step away from your work entirely, both physically and digitally, for periods of time.
- Rest includes more than sleep: Take time for genuine, non-work-related relaxation, whether that’s a vacation, a staycation, or simply a few days offline.
- Change your environment: A change of scenery can be incredibly beneficial. Take a trip, go for a walk in nature, or just find a new spot to relax.
- Focus on the process, not the product: Shift your attention from the final outcome to the sensory experience of creating. Enjoy the feeling of the brush or the colors on the palette without pressure.
- Embrace play: Get out a sketchbook and doodle with no goal in mind to reduce the pressure of creating a masterpiece.
- Rediscover your “why”: Remind yourself why you started making art in the first place and what you wanted to express.
- Set healthy boundaries: Learn to say “no” to projects or requests that don’t align with your energy levels. Create a clear separation between work and personal life, and avoid working during evenings or weekends.
- Seek support: Burnout thrives in isolation. Talk to other artists, join creative communities, or seek professional mental health support.
- Engage in non-work activities: Spend time on hobbies and physical activities that have nothing to do with your art to recharge and find inspiration elsewhere.
- Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a friend.
- Nourish your whole self: Pay attention to your physical health, including eating well and getting regular exercise
