Reclaiming Creativity After Burnout
As the challenges in my business piled up, my creativity slowly faded into the background. Burnout wasn’t just a rough patch—it unraveled everything I had built, leaving me disconnected from the work that once felt like an extension of myself. But beneath the collapse was something bigger, a shift I didn’t see coming and a reason I couldn’t ignore.
In this post, I’m sharing my journey of rediscovering creativity after burnout—what I’ve learned, what I’m leaving behind, and how I’m rebuilding in a way that finally feels aligned.
This post is purely based on personal experience & opinion. I am not a licensed therapist, counsellor, or doctor. If you feel you require assistance or support with whatever you might be struggling with, please consult a professional.
The Moment of Realization
“I had been letting my inner critic drive the bus for far too long and ignoring my true feelings out of fear, doubt, and lack of trust.”
Recently, I asked my newsletter readers if I should pause since I had no new products or designs to share—only behind-the-scenes reflections on my business struggles. I expected silence. Instead, the response was overwhelming.
They reminded me that my words and creations matter. That even when my inner critic whispers doubts, people are listening, watching, and finding value in what I share - even if it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, flashy new products, or deep discounts.
That moment of clarity led me to an uncomfortable but necessary revelation: I had been letting my inner critic drive the bus for far too long and ignoring my true inner knowing out of fear, doubt, and lack of trust. But also because, sometimes, listening to your intuition may be the toughest thing you’ll ever have to do as it leads you towards growth and not comfort. [Enter personal crisis here]
“I was no longer creating for myself—I was creating (mostly) for algorithms, trends, and external approval. And that left me feeling stuck, uninspired, and disconnected from my art.”
How Art Became a Job—And Lost Its Magic
Like many creatives who turn their passion into a career, I eventually (and unknowingly) shifted my focus from self-expression to survival. The need for steady income slowly took over, and I began reverse-engineering my work to fit what sold or gained traction online.
I had stopped creating for myself—for what felt fun, exciting, and inspiring. Or simply what I felt called to create. Instead, I was creating for algorithms, trends, and external validation. [Rooted in a belief and a storyline that I needed to heal. But we’ll save that for another day.] And in that process, I lost my spark. I felt stuck, uninspired, and disconnected from my creative path.
While this approach might work for others, it wasn’t working for me so I had to radically accept that maybe this wasn’t my path.
Of course, my inner critic had plenty to say about that, which previously fed my burnout and my relentless attempts to fix what wasn’t working. But I chose to shift my mindset this time and began to see that, maybe, my struggles weren’t a reflection of my skill, talent, or ability to succeed—they were a sign that I was forcing myself down the wrong road. [Did I know this for alot longer than I’d like to admit? Yeah. Did I avoid accepting that truth? Yeah.]
When Life Forces You to Pause
With the weight of last year’s business challenges and a family member’s illness taking center stage, I had no choice but to hit pause—completely. It wasn’t just a moment of reflection; it was a full surrender.
For the first time in my creative career, I found myself without a clear direction and an inability to course correct. So, instead of forcing a solution, I let myself sit with the uncertainty. [Like Aunt Bethany’s cat, at the Griswold’s family Christmas, trying to escape the box it was wrapped in.] And I stepped away from the path entirely.
I stopped clinging to what wasn’t working, stopped chasing outcomes that no longer fit. I released the “what-ifs” and the pressure of expectations that weren’t even mine to carry. In that space, I let the unknown breathe—and in return, I started hearing my own inner voice again.
This inspired some essential changes:
Finding freelance work to support my creativity without pressure.
Stepping away from misaligned platforms and distractions.
Deepening my meditation practice (20 minutes, twice a day) to reconnect with myself.
Connecting with creative communities for support and to help me discover new perspectives.
Creating personal projects purely for the joy of it, without expectation.
Signed up for a course to help me unearth my inherent skills and define my most aligned path.
“Life won’t always feel good, but we can transform challenges into opportunities—if we surrender, stay present, and trust in what unfolds.”
Trusting the Process
Just when my faith was down to its last drop, this shift cracked me open again; Forcing me to lean into faith and trust in a way I never had before.
What once felt like a void of uncertainty started looking more like a blank canvas—full of possibility. This was my moment to redefine everything, to create a direction that actually aligned with me, not just what I thought I should be doing.
I have to trust that success and income will follow, and for now, freelance work gives me some breathing room while the next step reveals itself.
What I do know is that the small steps I’m taking on this new path—uncertain as it is—feels aligned to my inner wisdom. Even without a clear shape, that’s enough for now.
And I found a bigger lesson here, life won’t always feel good, but we can transform challenges into opportunities—if we surrender, stay present, and trust in what unfolds. Simple but definitely not easy!
Signs You May Be Losing Touch with Your Creativity
It’s easy to slip into creating for external approval without realizing it. If you’re feeling disconnected from your art, ask yourself:
🔥 Are you burnt out? Creativity should energize you, not drain you. Constantly chasing sales, engagement, or algorithm approval can lead to exhaustion.
📈 Are you prioritizing trends and algorithms over passion? If you find yourself making what’s “popular” rather than what excites you, you might be creating for visibility rather than fulfillment.
💰 Are you only creating for money? While making a living from your art is important, when financial pressure becomes the sole motivator, creativity can start to feel like a chore.
😞 Do you feel uninspired or unmotivated? If your work no longer excites you, it could be a sign that you’re disconnected from your true creative self.
🫥 Do you feel isolated along your creative journey? A supportive network can offer fresh perspectives and spark new ideas—without the extra noise.
😱 Are you resisting change? Blocks can sometimes signal a needed shift for our growth. Listening to your inner knowing and taking small steps towards that new path can help get you back on track.
If any of these resonate, you’re not alone. The good news? Awareness is the first step to realigning with what truly fulfills you.
If this resonates with you, or if you’re navigating a similar shift, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Let’s support each other on this journey.
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