Burnout is not a failure of passion. It’s often the result of caring too much, for too long, without enough support.
What to do:
Build a personal ‘resilience plan’ for rejections. This may include debriefing with peers, allowing a 24-hour disappointment window, or working on multiple applications at once to stay buoyant. You’re not failing – the system is.
What to do:
Create your own markers of progress. Acknowledge effort, not just outcomes. Celebrate finishing a draft, wrapping a show or applying for a grant – even if it doesn’t ‘lead’ anywhere.
