Burnout has become a fashionable pop psychology term in recent years, but it’s certainly more than a fad. The World Health Organisation recognises it as real and dangerous, usually manifesting in exhaustion, loss of empathy and reduced performance at work. It can be challenging for artists to discern between an inspirational drought and true burnout. The danger comes when artists attempt to push past their fatigue into “productivity”, which continues to damage an already frayed nervous system.Â
But if it’s been a substantial amount of time since you’ve had a genuinely new idea for a project and been inspired by it, then you may be experiencing creative burnout. Along with taking a break, giving yourself time to be inspired by the works of others can be key. Ideally, these are artists outside your professional network or even your medium. Learning to enjoy others’ creativity again can reignite your own. When artistry becomes linked with productivity, it’s easy for the well to run dry. Creating a deliberate practice out of consuming the work of others can be crucial for creative vitality.
