What do you do when creative energy leaves you? Jeni Baker shares her experiences and some top tips.
What do you do when creative energy leaves you? Jeni shares her experiences and some top tips.
At some time or another, almost all of us have experienced it, in our work, our hobbies, or at home: burnout. It is a fickle thing and it can creep up on you unexpectedly, from out of nowhere. Over the past few years of working in the quilting industry, I have learned a few tips and tricks that have helped me to avoid burnout, and work through it when it has caught me off guard.
I think the most important thing about burnout is how to recognise the tell- tale signs. It really can sneak up on you and you might not see it coming until it is already upon you. The best way to deal with it is to take proactive steps to prevent those feelings before they happen. However, sometimes burnout can be inevitable.
I know I am experiencing burnout when I start to avoid my sewing machine, even when I really have a lot of things to do. I also have a hard time after I have completed a long- term project. In the summer of 2013, I had just had my first booth at Quilt Market showing my second line of fabrics, and immediately had to turn around and design my third collection. I did not want to think about sewing or even look at my machine! I had sewn for months on end preparing for the show and I had taken very poor care of myself during that time, which left me feeling like my tank was empty. My drive for creating was super- low and I really
didn’t feel like doing much of anything. This was such a catch 22 for me. Expressing myself creatively gave me energy, but I didn’t have the energy to do anything creative. I was stuck in an infinite loop!
Take a break
The thing that saved my creativity was knitting. Taking up knitting truly saved my relationship with my work and with quilting. It gave me something completely unrelated to my work that allowed me to express myself. There were no deadlines, no limitations and no pressure. I could simply enjoy the craft without worrying. The unexpected thing was, it made me want to sew! Suddenly, I missed my machine and knitting was sparking new ideas in my quilting designs.
So my biggest piece of advice for you is to take a break. Give yourself time every week to get away from your main craft. It gives you time to recuperate and often to digest what you are working on. It could be painting, reading, photography or knitting – anything that appeals to you! It may seem counter- intuitive, but even when you’re on a tight deadline or working on a large, overwhelming project, I make time to do other things.
Also, be kind to yourself and know when to say no. Being able to say no to commitments that are enticing but do not fit in with your priorities can be hard. Keep your plate full of things that give you joy and challenge you. You’ll be happier for it!