How to avoid burnout as an independent artist
Emotional exhaustion is the nemesis of creativity, so battling burnout is key for aiding productivity and general wellbeing.
Being an independent artist means juggling responsibilities and spinning a lot of plates. Excess pressures and stress can result in burnout, leaving you overwhelmed and with an empty tank. Here are some top tips on how to avoid pushing yourself too far.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that tends to be referred to in a work setting. However, it absolutely can occur as a result of excessive stress in your personal life and around your passions.
For musicians and other artists, it can result from an overwhelming workload, constant creative output, and the pressures of managing a career independently. When your work is your passion, burnout can hit even harder. Creatives experiencing burnout can end up losing passion for their art, leading to self-doubt and a feeling of failure.
Some symptoms of burnout
Recognising the signs of burnout early is key to managing it before it becomes overwhelming. Here are some common symptoms of burnout that independent artists should be aware of:
- Exhaustion – Feeling constantly tired, both physically and mentally, even after a good night’s sleep.
- Lack of Motivation – Losing enthusiasm for your work and struggling to find the energy to create.
- Emotional Detachment – Feeling disconnected from your work, audience, or collaborators.
- Irritability – Becoming easily frustrated or angry, even over small issues.
- Decreased Creativity – Finding it difficult to come up with new ideas or feeling uninspired.
- Decline in Performance – Noticing that your work quality has dropped, and you’re making more mistakes.
- Isolation – Withdrawing from social interactions or feeling overwhelmed by the idea of engaging with others.
Causes of burnout
To be able to avoid burnout you need to understand what causes it in the first place. Burnout is typically caused by prolonged periods of stress and overwork. For independent artists, the combination of creative, financial, and administrative responsibilities can quickly become overwhelming. Some of the most common causes of burnout among independent musicians and artists include:
- Overwork – Constantly pushing yourself to create new content, perform, or meet deadlines without adequate rest.
- Financial Stress – Worrying about making enough money from your art to sustain yourself, which can lead to taking on too many projects at once.
- Pressure to Succeed – The pressure to constantly improve, gain more fans, or achieve recognition can cause stress and anxiety.
- Lack of Support – Independent artists often handle everything on their own, from marketing to production. The absence of a team or support system can increase stress.
- Imbalance – Focusing entirely on your career without allowing time for relaxation, hobbies, or personal relationships.
How to avoid burnout
Now, onto what you’re really here for.
While burnout can feel overwhelming, there are several strategies independent artists can use to manage stress and prevent it from taking over. Here are some practical tips on how to avoid burnout as best you can.
Set Boundaries
Establish clear boundaries between work and rest. Set regular working hours and stick to them. It’s easy to blur the lines when your work is your passion, but without boundaries, you risk working all the time, leading to burnout. Make time for rest, personal hobbies, and social activities.
Take regular breaks
Regular breaks are essential to maintain your mental and physical health. Even a short break between tasks can refresh your mind. Take time to relax, engage in activities that are unrelated to your art, and allow your brain to recharge.
Practice self-care
Self-care is crucial for avoiding burnout. This means getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and doing things that make you feel good outside of work. Prioritising your physical health can directly impact your mental wellbeing.
Delegate tasks
Independent artists often take on multiple roles, from creating music or art to managing social media and handling finances. You can make your life easier by offloading certain tasks where possible. If it is an option, delegate some of these tasks to others, whether that’s hiring a manager, working with a collaborator, or even automating certain processes like scheduling posts.
Stay connected
Dealing with emotional exhaustion is hard enough, but it’s even harder when you don’t have support around you. Isolation can worsen burnout, so staying connected with other artists, friends, and family is important. Build a support network where you can share your experiences, get advice, and lean on others when you’re feeling stressed.
Set realistic goals
It’s easy to set overly ambitious goals, especially when you’re passionate about what you do. However, this can lead to overwork and stress. Instead, try to set realistic, achievable goals that allow you to maintain a steady pace without overwhelming yourself.
Keep doing what you love
Burnout is really good at making you feel like you’ve fallen out of love with your passions. This can lead to you not doing the things you love, which would most likely help you combat burnout. It can easily become a vicious cycle.
Try to focus on the aspects of your career that you enjoy the most. When you’re passionate about your work, it feels less like a chore. If certain parts of your job as an artist are draining, find ways to make them more enjoyable or efficient.
Allow yourself to have time off
Just because being a musician might not be your full time job, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t schedule time off. In fact, if you have a different full time job, then chances are you’re spending most of your downtime on your music career. That doesn’t leave much time to relax and recharge.
Don’t be afraid to take time off when you need it. Taking a step back to rest and rejuvenate can help you return to your music with renewed energy and creativity. Schedule regular time off, even if it’s just for a weekend, to disconnect and refresh.
Mental health resources for musicians
If you feel like you are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, burnout then there are some great resources available to help.
Remember that also reaching out to friends and family can help reduce stress and take a load off your mind. Hashing out your struggles can give you a fresh perspective, and a chance to receive some helpful advice. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.