How to cope with the pressure to do more

Systemic issues, hustle culture, financial necessity and personal ambition can make it difficult to set boundaries and say no to overwork in the arts. We ask experts to share thoughts on how vulnerability and self-compassion can help.

For many people in the arts, working life is saying ‘But after this week things will slow down a bit again,’ over and over, week after week, project after project, for the rest of our lives. 

Beyond being a relatable meme, this constantly battle with our calendars and the expectation to push through exhaustion is felt both as an internal and external pressure.

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Madeleine Dore
About the Author
Madeleine Dore is a freelance writer and founder of Extraordinary Routines, an interview project exploring the intersection between creativity and imperfection. She is the previous Deputy Editor at ArtsHub. Follow her on Twitter at @RoutineCurator