Burnout is a common issue for many creative professionals, including pyrographers. I know because I’ve been there… It can stem from the pressures of constant creation (especially when you’re trying to keep up with social media algorithms), running a business, or balancing multiple responsibilities. However, with the right strategies, you can manage burnout and reignite your passion for your art, finish those wood slice projects and create art that is true to you.
Understanding Burnout
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. In artists, it can manifest as a loss of creativity, lack of motivation, and even physical fatigue (among many other symptoms).
Recognizing the signs early can help you take proactive steps to address it.
Signs of Burnout
Persistent tiredness or fatigue
Decreased motivation or interest in work
Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Physical symptoms such as headaches or insomnia
Strategies for Handling Burnout
1. Take Regular Breaks
Incorporate short breaks throughout your day to rest and recharge. Step away from your work, stretch, or take a walk outside. Regular breaks can prevent mental fatigue and maintain your focus.
Short breaks during work sessions are great and long breaks between projects can prevent burnout on another level. I feel incredibly recharged after a 3 day camping trip where I am able to unplug from technology and life for an extended amount of time!
2. Set Realistic Goals
Avoid overloading yourself with too many projects at once. If you are like me, and have multiple projects on the go, try to focus on the top 2 to 3 so that you can actually complete some and feel good and motivated to continue completing more.
Also, make sure if you are feeling overwhelmed, try breaking down your tasks into manageable steps and setting achievable deadlines. This will help you stay organized and reduce stress.
Using tools to help you achieve your goals can help. Calendars can help you plan goals. I love using a calendar because I can easily see my other commitments and can plan accordingly. Another tool I live by are these trackers. They have monthly goals or habits for short term planning as well as yearly goals for longer term projects. Game changers!
3. Practice Self-Care
This is an obvious one, but usually overlooked. Make time for activities that nourish your body and mind. This can include exercise, meditation, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Self-care is essential for maintaining overall well-being and avoiding burnout.
I suffered from burnout and one thing that helped me in the hardest moments was writing morning pages, as suggested by "The Artist's Way". This book is great to help clear your mind, process thoughts, and uncover new ideas. The journaling is just part of the journey in this book. The thing I like most about it is that it makes self-care part of the homework and forces you to make time for yourself in special ways.
4. Stay Connected with Your Creative Community
Engage with fellow artists and like-minded individuals. Join online forums, attend workshops, or participate in local art events. Sharing experiences and ideas can provide support and inspiration.
5. Create Art for Yourself
Sometimes, making art just for the joy of it, without the pressure of external expectations, can be the most motivating. Go create for creating’s sake.
I often try to do things with the intention of them being something. Something perfect, something for instagram, something for someone. But doing art without that intention, just for yourself, is very very freeing and is not only a good way to stay motivated but also to help burnout while still being creative.
I love to create art with kids. It creates a no pressure and fun way to unwind when you work side by side with them or make something together!
6. Set Boundaries
Learn to say no to projects or commitments that overwhelm you. (This can be hard and takes practice). Prioritize your workload and allocate time for rest. Setting boundaries ensures you have the energy to focus on what truly matters. If it doesn’t allign with your values, your business, your goals, or doesn’t excite you, just say no.
7. Reflect on Your Achievements
Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. I love a good Ta-Da list where you celebrate your accomplishments. Reflecting on your progress can boost your confidence and remind you of your passion for your craft. Instead of looking at others, take time to look at yourself and how far you've come! If you’re a visual person, keep a journal or portfolio of your work. Sometimes I even like to scroll to the beginning of my instagram profile to see where I started. Looking back on your progress can remind you of how far you've come and inspire you to keep going. Celebrate all of your wins.
8. Seek Professional Help if Needed
If burnout persists, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Therapy or counseling can provide valuable tools for managing stress and improving your mental health.
Staying Motivated
1. Seek Inspiration
Explore different sources of inspiration, such as nature, books, music, or other artists' works. Inspiration can come from unexpected places. I love to visit museums, art shows or craft fairs just to get me excited about creating again.
2. Experiment and Play
This is one of my favorite exercises when I am feeling stuck, uninspired or unmotivated. Experimenting with different forms of art or techniques within pyrography, not only expands your skills, but can reignite your creativity and keep your work exciting.
Allow yourself to experiment with new techniques, materials, or subjects. Playing and exploring can reignite your creativity and make the process more enjoyable.
Sometimes, doing something completely different, like reading, cooking, or gardening, can refresh your mind and spark new ideas. Collaging is one of my favourite things to do as all it requires is to just flip through some magazines and feel out what inspires you. It really gets my creative juices flowing to pick through images and put them together until I get an unexpected design!
3. Set Personal Challenges
Create personal challenges or goals to keep yourself engaged. This could be learning a new pyrography technique, completing a series of artworks, or participating in an art competition. The smaller and more achievable, the better, especially if you’re already feeling some signs of burnout.
4. Create a Vision Board
Visualize your long-term goals and aspirations by creating a vision board. Include images, quotes, and reminders of what inspires you. This visual tool can keep you focused and motivated. It can also be a push to try a new medium, like collage art, mixed media or even digital art.
I love Pinterest for this! I collect all my ideas visually in a board and then further divide ideas and inspiration into sub boards! What is great is that you can keep this private so only you can see it. AND if you want it to show up on your phone, here are instructions on how to do so!
5. Maintain a Balanced Routine
Establish a daily routine that balances work, rest, and recreation. Consistency in your schedule can provide structure and help you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed. Especially being an entrepreneur, it’s easy to just do things with the flow of what we feel like. That’s a perk of working for yourself. However, it can feel like you are very busy but get nothing done… Creating a routine, or at least keeping track of what you’re doing and how long things take can help you understand many things about your workflow and tasks.
6. Document Your Creative Journey
Keep a journal or blog to document your creative journey. Reflecting on your experiences and progress can provide insight and motivation. Keep it private or share your journey with your audience to connect and inspire others.
This can be an art project in itself, or it can be as easy as keeping photos in a folder on your computer with dates on them!
7. Find a Mentor or Coach
Seek guidance from a mentor or coach who understands the challenges of being an artist. Their experience and advice can provide valuable perspectives and encouragement.
Take care of yourself, and your art will flourish.
With mindful practices and proactive strategies, you can manage burnout effectively. You can maintain your passion and continue to thrive as a pyrographer with practicing the points above.
Remember, your art is not just your work—it's a reflection of your unique vision and creativity.