The power of noise-canceling headphones cannot be underestimated when dealing with children and trying to get creative work done! (I mean, as long as the children are self-sufficient—better yet, age-appropriate. My kids aren't very self-sufficient. Lazy, yes. Self-sufficient, nope!)
Would you be okay with me quoting your first comment from you in an upcoming newsletter on the topic? And if so, should I link to your newsletter or somewhere else? If you would prefer not, that is also okay!
Interacting with other people is the best treatment for creative burnout i have found so far. Writing is so isolating /solitary by nature that it’s easy to get lost in the vortex of negative self talk. As for productivity as a parent, I’ve only been a parent for 9 weeks so i guess ill let you know!
Laurel: Would you be okay with me quoting from your first comment with the burnout tip from you in an upcoming newsletter? And if so, should I link to your newsletter or somewhere else? If you would prefer not, that is also okay!
I'm not a parent, but I get burnt out just like everyone else, except for Stephen King, who seems to be on those candles that burns brighter and longer than all the other candles. Anyway, here's what I do when I get burnt out.
1. I take a break from the project. Note this is only doable when I'm not on deadline, meaning I don't owe work to someone who has promised to pay me. But I thought I'd mention it here because a lot of writer on Substack feel like they can't take a break because they have paying subscribers. That's mindset is a recipe for disaster. I tell my readers when I'm taking a break, they understand that I'm human and need a break, and believe it or not, absence does make the heart grow fonder, at least when it comes to newsletters.
2. I try to get lunch, or coffee, or something with a creative friend. Over the years, I've learned that some of my creative friends leave me feeling drained, but others actually pump me up. It's an energy thing. For some reason, chatting with those friends makes me feel like I could take on the world. So I try to reach out to them when I'm feeling burnt out. Note: that kind of help is a two-way street, so I also make myself available to those friends when they're feeling burnt out.
3. I read nonfiction. Don't get me wrong, I love reading fiction and I write it too. But there's something about digging into good nonfiction that recharges me creatively. Maybe it's the fact that I'm engaging in a story without feeling the need to pick apart what works and what doesn't while also comparing my own work to whatever I'm reading. Sounds strange, but give me a true crime story or a dense history book and I'm a new human.
4. I take a social media break. Maybe this is specific to me, but I doubt it. Social media has its moments, but can also drain the life out of me. If I'm feeling burnt out, I take time off from social media and see how I feel. Usually, I feel better.
5. Outside time. I learned this about myself during the pandemic. I live in Los Angeles, so it's easy to take good weather for granted. But during the first year of the pandemic I stayed inside way too much and it really got me down, mentally and creatively. Getting outside helped a lot, and it wasn't like I went deep into the woods, or something. Just a walk in a nearby park helped me sort stuff out.
Michael -- would you be okay with me quoting some of your burnout tips in an upcoming newsletter? And if so, should I link to your newsletter or somewhere else? If you would prefer not to be quoted, that is also okay. Thank you!
These are such great tips. I think number 1 is great to remember because I think the rate some people are publishing on Substack can be a recipe for burnout and whenever I see a writer saying they are taking a break for a bit I always think, good for them. Number 4 is something I've definitely been doing more of lately too so not just specific to you!
I'm thinking about changing careers from struggling investigative journalist ... to struggling stand-up comedian. My wife thinks I'm joking, but I'll still be trying to "save the world."
I get that! I always get so much out of it but I also always overcommit because there is so much I want to do/people I want to see and then I still end up not getting to everything/seeing everyone I want to and end up feeling drained! But mostly in a good way :) I'm sorry I missed you in Seattle too. I'm still on the fence about whether or not I will make it to Kansas City but I may end up going!
The power of noise-canceling headphones cannot be underestimated when dealing with children and trying to get creative work done! (I mean, as long as the children are self-sufficient—better yet, age-appropriate. My kids aren't very self-sufficient. Lazy, yes. Self-sufficient, nope!)
I feel like I need to get a good pair of these (currently listening to my kids play with an extremely loud game with their friends 😂)!
Lol! The decibel level of some toys cannot be subdued even by those amazing noise-canceling pods!
Would you be okay with me quoting your first comment from you in an upcoming newsletter on the topic? And if so, should I link to your newsletter or somewhere else? If you would prefer not, that is also okay!
Sure! And yes, you can link to my newsletter - thank you! (Do you need me to send the link?)
If it's the one linked near your name then no need to!
Interacting with other people is the best treatment for creative burnout i have found so far. Writing is so isolating /solitary by nature that it’s easy to get lost in the vortex of negative self talk. As for productivity as a parent, I’ve only been a parent for 9 weeks so i guess ill let you know!
So true that interacting with others can be good for burnout -- I just need to get out of my own head sometimes. And congrats on your little one!
Thank you!
Laurel: Would you be okay with me quoting from your first comment with the burnout tip from you in an upcoming newsletter? And if so, should I link to your newsletter or somewhere else? If you would prefer not, that is also okay!
Hey julie! Totally! Yes please link to my newsletter Free Puppies Comedy. I just started it so would love a shout out. Thanks!
I'm not a parent, but I get burnt out just like everyone else, except for Stephen King, who seems to be on those candles that burns brighter and longer than all the other candles. Anyway, here's what I do when I get burnt out.
1. I take a break from the project. Note this is only doable when I'm not on deadline, meaning I don't owe work to someone who has promised to pay me. But I thought I'd mention it here because a lot of writer on Substack feel like they can't take a break because they have paying subscribers. That's mindset is a recipe for disaster. I tell my readers when I'm taking a break, they understand that I'm human and need a break, and believe it or not, absence does make the heart grow fonder, at least when it comes to newsletters.
2. I try to get lunch, or coffee, or something with a creative friend. Over the years, I've learned that some of my creative friends leave me feeling drained, but others actually pump me up. It's an energy thing. For some reason, chatting with those friends makes me feel like I could take on the world. So I try to reach out to them when I'm feeling burnt out. Note: that kind of help is a two-way street, so I also make myself available to those friends when they're feeling burnt out.
3. I read nonfiction. Don't get me wrong, I love reading fiction and I write it too. But there's something about digging into good nonfiction that recharges me creatively. Maybe it's the fact that I'm engaging in a story without feeling the need to pick apart what works and what doesn't while also comparing my own work to whatever I'm reading. Sounds strange, but give me a true crime story or a dense history book and I'm a new human.
4. I take a social media break. Maybe this is specific to me, but I doubt it. Social media has its moments, but can also drain the life out of me. If I'm feeling burnt out, I take time off from social media and see how I feel. Usually, I feel better.
5. Outside time. I learned this about myself during the pandemic. I live in Los Angeles, so it's easy to take good weather for granted. But during the first year of the pandemic I stayed inside way too much and it really got me down, mentally and creatively. Getting outside helped a lot, and it wasn't like I went deep into the woods, or something. Just a walk in a nearby park helped me sort stuff out.
Hope that helps! Sorry about your Amazon options.
Michael -- would you be okay with me quoting some of your burnout tips in an upcoming newsletter? And if so, should I link to your newsletter or somewhere else? If you would prefer not to be quoted, that is also okay. Thank you!
Go for it! And linking to my newsletter is best! Thanks Julie!
These are such great tips. I think number 1 is great to remember because I think the rate some people are publishing on Substack can be a recipe for burnout and whenever I see a writer saying they are taking a break for a bit I always think, good for them. Number 4 is something I've definitely been doing more of lately too so not just specific to you!
I'm thinking about changing careers from struggling investigative journalist ... to struggling stand-up comedian. My wife thinks I'm joking, but I'll still be trying to "save the world."
https://billricejr.substack.com/p/im-thinking-about-changing-careers
I am a crazy introvert who loves AWP! Sorry I missed you in Seattle!
I get that! I always get so much out of it but I also always overcommit because there is so much I want to do/people I want to see and then I still end up not getting to everything/seeing everyone I want to and end up feeling drained! But mostly in a good way :) I'm sorry I missed you in Seattle too. I'm still on the fence about whether or not I will make it to Kansas City but I may end up going!
I have writer friends in the Midwest who say they are going so if they do, I’ll go.
I am also mostly thinking about deciding based on what writer friends are going. It's a good strategy, I think :)