5 (Free) Ways to Nurture Creativity and Heal from Burnout By Cortney Matz

5 (Free) Ways to Nurture Creativity and Heal from Burnout

By Cortney Matz

Artists work HARD.

We are tough cookies, and we have big dreams. Plus, we really love to work! 

Between working on yourself, your art, your job (which is different from art, even if you create for a living), your relationships, and your chores at home – work abounds.

You probably know how it feels to overdo it. 

What do you do when life is too much, work is too much, and pouring your soul into a work-in-progress just doesn’t hold the same pizzazz that it once did?

I hope these suggestions for five (free) ways to nurture yourself as an artist will offer you a fighting chance to live in peace and harmony while producing good creative work.

0. All the things you already know

Sleep, food, water, exercise, meditation, judicious applications of caffeine… 

Congratulations for knowing stuff already. Now take a moment to recognize which of these habits you’ve been missing, which one you already know tends to make a difference for your overall wellbeing. What helps you feel like you? 

Pick that and see if you can have a little bit more of it this week.

Life happens and healthy habits can get disrupted. Try not to overwhelm yourself with a huge overhaul, just make some small adjustments in a health-ward direction.

1. Take a day off

Ideally, we get two days off. That’s what weekends are for, right? But artists are unusual, and work happens when it happens. Performers often ONLY book gigs on weekends.

Doesn’t mean we don’t also work all the other days of the week.

Taking even one day to rest each week is a total game-changer. But I’m so behind on everything! Who can afford to take time off?

That’s burnout talking. Don’t let it boss you around.

The less time I have to take a break, the more I need it. Stepping away from the day-to-day hustle is incredibly empowering and freeing. Strangely, I feel so much less overwhelmed. The next day dawns, and I actually feel some hope and anticipation for it. 

What does this “rest” mean for you? Sleeping all day? Working in your garden? Road tripping to parts unknown?

Yes, and whatever else appeals to us on the day in question. My one rule of thumb for my rest day is: no decision-making.

Life as an artist is FULL of choices and logistical considerations, especially for how to make the best use of your time. Give yourself the gift of one day where you don’t have to decide. Just go with your gut, your family, or whatever path of least resistance offers itself. Recharge those decisive batteries for tomorrow.

2. Indulge

As Steve Alloway wrote about in his last article, a dry well needs refilling. Let your parched soul soak in the created works that you enjoy.

Read a book, ride a bike, go somewhere you’ve never been – even if it’s a grocery store. Creatives thrive on new experiences, and whatever appeals to you in this moment counts.

Whether it’s a weekend retreat with your TBR pile or sneaking episodes of your favorite podcast in between meetings, let your heart delight in fresh reasons to love what you love. Bonus points: find someone else who loves it so you can talk to each other about HOW MUCH you love it, why you love it, and how glorious your love is.

Glory in your love.

3. Schedule pure playtime

When you’re creating on a deadline, even the most wonderful creative work can become a chore. When I’m preparing a big concert, I’m learning to give myself a few minutes at the piano just to play whatever I want.

No useful music allowed! This is where the magic gets a chance to sparkle.

This works for creativity that is not related to your primary discipline. Writers can paint! Singers can dance! Event planners can tickle the ivories! Whether it’s a return to a long-forgotten equestrian pastime or just a different outlet for your colorful soul, the landscape is wide open.

Protect your free creative space. Even 5 minutes. Even ONE minute (you can create a lot in one minute!). You have permission to create badly within that time frame, for the pure fun of it.

Set a timer and do it. Then do it again tomorrow.

See how those minutes make a difference in your creative healing.

4. Lean into your community

A wise woman once said, “What the heck do you mean by ‘community’?” And it made me wonder… yeah, what the heck DO I mean by ‘community’?

‘Community’ has become kind of a buzzword, but I think of it this way: my community is made up of the people with whom I share my life. Many of those people are you, my artist friends, reading this right now.

Who better to talk to about the very real pain and disappointment of creative burnout? It doesn’t have to be a sobfest, but if you’re overwhelmed and hiding, it’s okay to be honest with your peeps.

When you get invited to your artist friend’s gallery opening? 

“I’m so proud of you, and if I’m feeling up to it, I will absolutely be there. Just trying to navigate some burnout.”

When you HAVE to finish writing five pages before 6 PM or forever face the consequences, and you Just. Don’t. Wanna? 

“Hey, artist friend, can you sit with me for 20 minutes until I can get into the groove?”

But also, if you need a sobfest, go for it.

You’re never alone in these feelings; we all face them with some regularity. Look for the people you can trust when you’re not 100% yourself, and let them help carry you through. Do the same for them.

5. Trust yourself

Please believe me when I say that this state of burnout is temporary. You will come back from this.

When I’m feeling the inevitable “letdown” that follows productive seasons of creativity, I hate it. As many times as it’s happened, it always makes me wonder if I will ever love music again.

But your body and mind are FULLY committed to your survival. Emerging from tough seasons and life interruptions is only challenging because everything in you is focused on vital functions. Your mind knows that it’s important to create, but your gut is like, DON’T DIE.

So ease into it. Cut yourself a break and recognize that you are alive today because of these very instincts. 

Going slow and taking the time to nourish your inner artist can go a long way to speed your recovery. Before you know it, you’ll be having ideas and rallying the troops to collaborate, assembling supplies, and kicking your vision into high gear.

Has this been helpful?

Maybe you already know this, but Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist's Way has been an invaluable part of my life as an artist, and I recommend it at any stage of creative development, whether you’re brimming with possibilities or putting the ‘brr’ in brrned out.

Always worthwhile to revisit this gem!

Creative burnout can be incredibly painful. Please don’t take my lighthearted tone as a flippant disregard for the betrayal and disappointment that can bubble up in this season.

I get it.

And I’m curious, how do these ideas strike you? Do you see some potential here?

Shoot me a note and tell me about it: @cortneymatz on IG or cm@cortneymatz.com by email.

More about my own creative endeavors: 

SoMysterio.usgames and immersive experiences

Music and musings on creativity