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Working from home as a creative and feeling burnt out? You’re not alone.
Since the pandemic started a year ago, every day we’ve had to grapple with isolation, anxiety, grief, and a myriad of other negative emotions, on top of simply having to survive in these uncertain times. Being in this stressful state for a prolonged period of time is not healthy for anyone, and it places a heavy toll on both the body and the mind.
As a creative, in the past year you’ve probably found yourself lacking in inspiration, dealing with mental fog, or finding trouble putting out art that you’re happy with. In the long run, you’re not going to be able to put out your best work—or any work, for that matter—if your head isn’t in the right place. Some days, motivation is understandably low; other days, you just want to get on and work, but your body is too busy (or too burnt out) trying to handle all the incoming stress that it doesn’t have any energy left for your pursuits, creative or otherwise
What to do?
Let’s start out by saying that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. In fact, it’s natural to feel that way. These are not comforting times, and frankly, just the fact that we’ve made it this far somewhat intact is something to be celebrated.
Keep in mind that those of us in a creative line of work are disproportionately affected by mental health issues. Creatives are 3 times more likely to develop some form of mental illness, with the most common diagnoses being anxiety and depression. This is why it is vital that we keep our mental health in check at all times.
Just like how we form habits to take care of our physical health, taking care of our mental health requires the same amount of diligence. Fortunately, what’s good for the body is also good for the mind: forming good sleeping habits, eating healthily, and exercising regularly are all excellent ways to stay happy and focused.
From our creatives at A2
The pandemic affects everyone to different degrees, so we’ve all got to find various ways to cope that works for our own situations. How do we stay creative? Some of our designers and colleagues here at A2 Design Lab have shared their personal thoughts and methods of keeping their mental health and overall well-being in good shape:
Studies show that doing creative activities is inherently beneficial to your mental health, and many have turned to artistic projects and hobbies to help cope during the pandemic. But for those of us in the creative business industry, the pressure of making art for work can become overwhelming, and the creative process becomes a source of stress instead.
For MC, staying on top of her schedule and in control of her time gives her the necessary headspace to stay productive. “I make sure I have a clear schedule of my work every week. I feel overwhelmed if there are tons of work, but having a schedule or to do lists per day lessens the stress I feel and helps me stay creative.” She also makes sure she has enough time for relaxation to avoid overworking and burnout.
It might also be helpful to find a different outlet for creativity instead; one outside your usual line of work. Stimulating the brain with a separate artistic undertaking may help lift all that stress. Joan says, “To keep myself creative, I give myself exercises that corresponds to my interests, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I learn new things.” She also believes that we can make good use of the time uniquely afforded to us now that we work from home. “We should use this opportunity to improve ourselves and take on activities that could contribute to our growth.”
For some, it takes something a bit more personal to really find the motivation to push forward. Hannah shares that she finds her faith helps her think more positively. “It’s important to put my head in the right mindset. It gives me the endurance to work on multiple projects at a time, and reminds me of how I’ve always enjoyed the process.” Don’t forget that you can rely on other people for support as well: colleagues at work will be able to understand and relate to your struggles, while friends and family can always be comforting sources of support and perspective.
As artists, we tend to pour a lot of our own thoughts and feelings into our art, and after a year of the pandemic, it’s very easy to get lost in the feeling of helplessness. Remember that art is first and foremost a form of expression, and we can use it as a platform to understand and articulate the feelings we’re struggling with. Dar says, “I see how art and design is used not only as an outlet to provide comfort and distraction, but also as a means to express the sentiments and cries for action for the betterment of our situation.” She believes that this challenge is not something we can simply ignore as artists, and that “utilizing visual design to channel our thoughts and emotions through can be not only therapeutic, but also encourage acts for improvement.”
We’re all in this together
Hope is not lost, and we are starting to see the vestiges of a better “new normal”. But if it becomes all too much, don’t hesitate to just stop and take a breath. It’s very important to recognize the signs of burn out, and don’t think twice about taking some time to recuperate. Step away, seek the help you need, and come back when you’re healthier. Keep your chin up, artist! Your well-being is the most important thing; the world can wait.
Stay safe and well. A friendly reminder from A2 Design Lab.
If you feel you need help regarding your mental health, please don’t hesitate to seek support.
Here is a list of resources that you can contact for help:
International Suicide Hotlines
Illustration/Designer: Joan Aguila
Research by: Emerald Singh
Writer: Chris Ignacio