Creative Burnout | How to Maintain Work Balance for Creatives

Every creative faces a bit of writer’s block, lack of inspiration, and burnout now and then. That’s especially true when it’s your job to crank out a steady flow of solid content on a regular basis. The added pressure of maintaining a level of work that exceeds your client’s or employer’s expectations every time can put a damper on creativity. If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and need to get out quickly—before that looming deadline—try a few of these tips to restore creative balance.

Want to know how I personally prevent creative burnout? Check out this short clip.

7 Ways to Prevent Creative Burnout + Establish Balance

1. Have fun with personal Projects.

First and foremost, keep doing what you love for yourself! Everyone says they’d love to get paid to live out their passions—and don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty fantastic!—but with the work comes additional pressure and expectations. Some of the freedom is gone. So, rekindle that creative freedom through personal projects. There’s no timeline and no constraints. Try out new things, test your skills, branch out, and publish work you’re proud of. Personal projects give you time and space to really explore your creativity to the fullest. The creative growth that comes from it will also pay off in your hired projects!

2. Try new mediums.

Try your hand at a new art form. You don’t have to be good at it—no need to master it! This is simply a way to get those creative juices flowing. Journal, paint, sculpt, take pictures, make a film, decorate a cake, whip up a new dish. Who cares if it’s not your best work, just have fun creating. It may spark an idea for your actual work.

3. Don’t overbook yourself.

This is HUGE for creatives. We’ve all overextended ourselves at some point. Whether you’re freelance or in-house, creative work is just different from other types of work. To create requires tremendous energy and brainpower. You can’t rely on muscle memory or repetition to knock out simple tasks. Every step requires full attention. Non-creatives forget that sometimes. Even if we’re good at what we do, that doesn’t mean we can crank it out for 40 hours straight.

So, do your best to set timeline expectations upfront with your clients. Try not to squeeze in more than you can realistically take on because that’s a surefire way for burnout or writer’s block to set in. It’s ok to express your availability. Consider revising your pricing accordingly as well.

4. Get a brainstorming partner.

If you’re stuck, bring in another set of eyes. Depending on the project and client (without violating NDAs!), I might ask an industry friend who can field an idea or two if I’m stuck. They’re not involved in the project in any way and aren’t there to critique. It can be nice to have a creative buddy who can talk through things and offer insight on occasion.

5. Check out other art forms.

Visit a few museums and art studios just for fun. Taking a break from your work and enjoying art by others can help you reset.

6. Let your brain rest.

Just as important as the first one on the list, be sure to stop creating now and then. Give your brain a break. Get outside, walk around, and just be. Step away from your projects, breathe, and return with rested, fresh eyes.

7. Have fun with it, and keep a realistic mindset.

As much as you want to be in your client’s head and exceed their expectations the very first time, the truth is that we can’t always do that. Not every time. It’s not realistic because we’re unique individuals with different tastes and preferences. Sometimes, I love one look, my filming partner likes another, and the client has something entirely different in mind. At the end of the day, do your very best to hear your client and nail their vision, but allow yourself space to move. Have fun, do your thing, collaborate with others, and take feedback in stride.

How do you prevent creative burnout? I’d love to know! Drop a note in the comments on my video.

Tyler Dooghan is a San Diego-based videographer. He specializes in cinematography and visual storytelling. Visit tylerdooghan.com to learn more about how he can help showcase your organization, express your passion, and connect with your audience. Check out his most recent work here, and find more inspiration on the Blog. Drop a line here to get started!