Say hello to burnout
138: While burnout can make you feel like your creativity has evaporated, it's critical to remember that this is only temporary.
As a product designer, you must always be creative and create fresh ideas. However, contrary to popular opinion, creativity is not a simple on/off switch.
I noticed I was tired more than usual a few months back. And sometimes, I felt as if all of my creativity had vanished. I worried about starting a new task because I knew it would be challenging.
Fortunately, there were still times when I felt creative, although they were fleeting. I knew I was on the verge of burnout.
Is this a burnout?
You may be tired more than usual, or this task isn't inspiring, just like with the past several projects.
We're all unique in feeling creative. You and I could have very different reasons for having low energy, but burnout usually means we've pushed ourselves too far for too long.
This is what burnout might look like:
You're anxious about going to work or starting a new project
When creative burnout kicks in, the once exciting thought of exploring new ideas becomes scary and overwhelming. You're nervous about starting a project because you're afraid you won't be able to produce something of worth or match the expectations set on you.
Anxiety can paralyze you, leaving you with continual worry and self-doubt. What used to bring you joy and fulfillment now feels like an impossible task, worsening the symptoms of burnout.
You feel like you'll not be able to create something good
It's a frustrating feeling that consumes your creative process, causing you to doubt your abilities and question your worth as a designer. Ideas that once came easily now seem far away, and you're struggling with creative deficiency.
The anxiety of creating mediocre work hangs over you, preventing your capacity to begin or complete projects. Each attempt feels useless as self-criticism grows and suffocates your creative soul. The continual pressure to perform at a high level weighs heavily on your thoughts, weakening your confidence and trapping you in a loop of self-doubt.
This part of creative burnout can be depressing, so it's critical to confront it and figure out how to restore your faith in your creative talents.
Even simple tasks seem too difficult to handle
What was once usual or straightforward becomes an enormous challenge. Simple creative decisions that were always easy now feel difficult and mentally exhausting.
Mental tiredness and a lack of drive mix the clarity and efficiency that were previously characteristics of your work process.
Mundane tasks that should be performed quickly become tedious and time-consuming, adding to the discomfort and sense of stress.
This struggle with even the most essential components of your work clearly indicates creative burnout, signaling the need for relaxation, recovery, and new methods for reinforcing your creative flame.
Other creatives make you feel like you're not talented enough, forgetting that you only see their best work
When you see others' polished and successful work, you naturally compare yourself to them and feel unworthy. However, remember that you only see their most outstanding work, carefully picked and presented. You don't see their problems, uncertainties, or failures.
This comparison can amplify emotions of self-doubt and lower self-esteem, exacerbating creative fatigue. Remembering that everyone's journey is unique is essential; outside comparisons should not influence your value as a designer.
Accepting your creative voice and focusing on your growth will assist you in navigating this element of burnout and finding renewed inspiration inside yourself.
There could also be external reasons you feel this way. You might be dealing with hardships in your personal life. Or you could be working in a toxic environment that makes your job more difficult than it should be. It's important to acknowledge all the different factors to improve your situation.
How do we get out of there?
Burnout is difficult for everyone, but it can be especially crushing for creative professionals. Simple activities become difficult to do, and inventive work becomes practically impossible. So here are some suggestions for dealing with creative burnout.
Ask for help
Opening out to friends, coworkers, or your manager might help you gain a new perspective and important insights into what's happening. Engaging in honest conversations about your challenges might help you better understand the underlying causes of your burnout and explore feasible solutions.
Friends and coworkers familiar with your creative process can provide suggestions, address their experiences, or offer encouragement and support.
Your manager, in particular, can be a great resource since they may be able to provide advice, change workloads or deadlines, or help reduce some of the pressures leading to your burnout.
Remember that asking for help is not a show of weakness but rather a proactive step toward restoring your creative energy and finding long-term solutions to burnout.
Take a break
Recovering from creative burnout often involves taking a break and disconnecting from work and design-related activities. Allowing yourself to step back and focus on activities that bring you joy and relaxation is critical.
By detaching from the pressures of creative work, you allow your mind to rest and recharge. Take up a hobby, learn a new skill, or simply spend time doing things that make you happy.
This break not only gives you a much-needed rest but it also allows you to obtain new insights and inspiration from outside sources. Whether spending time in nature, doing something you enjoy, or going on a mini-adventure, taking time for yourself may help restore your creative spirit and allow you to return to work with a new perspective and renewed energy.
Remember that self-care and personal fulfillment are critical components in overcoming creative burnout.
Build energy
You can only be creative if you have energy. Working out, running, laughing, getting enough sleep, eating healthily, and spending quality time with loved ones are the best ways to feel energized.
Engage in regular exercise to improve physical fitness, enhance mental well-being, and stimulate creativity.
Laughing, whether spending time with friends, watching comedies, or engaging in activities that bring you joy, can alleviate stress and infuse you with positive energy.
Get quality sleep to restore mental and physical energy so you can approach your creative job with clarity and focus.
Keep a balanced diet with the fuel required for sustained creative productivity.
Lastly, spend quality time with loved ones who can provide emotional support, create meaningful connections, and foster a sense of belonging, all contributing to overall well-being.
Look back
Looking back on past accomplishments can help you overcome self-doubt and creative exhaustion.
Remember that you are a talented person who inspires others to collaborate with you. Consider the projects you've finished, the compliments you've received, and your accomplishments. These reminders serve as proof of your abilities and creative qualities.
While burnout can make you feel like your creativity has evaporated, it's critical to remember that this is only temporary. Your creative powers are still alive and well within you, just waiting to be sparked.
You can regain confidence in your creative abilities by remembering your accomplishments and understanding that burnout is temporary.
I made a note that includes screenshots of positive feedback from customers, students, coworkers, and clients. I also have visuals of projects I'm proud of and articles about my work that I refer to when feeling down. You should build a space where you may collect all of your excellent work and positive feedback. When you're not feeling well, it could be beneficial.
Prevention is the best medicine
Everyone's experience of creative burnout is unique. It makes it difficult for me to accomplish anything creative, such as designing, writing an entertaining article, or even making a meal (food is art, right?). But I can get out of this and do a better job of avoiding creative burnout.
Your creativity didn't go away. It's just taking a break because it needs rest.
Remember that your previous successes did not vanish, and the apparent success of others does not make you less talented.
Don't do too much to recover from burnout. It may have the opposite impact.
Begin slowly with minor tasks to gain momentum before tackling more significant projects.
Reflect on your accomplishments, successes, and feelings — make a list of your completed work.
Make time for breaks and physical exercises. Don't be afraid to seek advice from a friend, mentor, or health professional.
Big presentations or high-intensity initiatives should not be done every week. Set boundaries if you want to keep your creative energy flowing.
When I think back on what caused me to feel this way a few months back, I realize that extended daily conversations with customers, clients, or teams drained the last bits of energy I had left because I was dealing with personal issues at a time.
Since then, I have reminded myself of things I can control and re-established the boundaries I needed to keep my energy at the highest level.