How not to burn out when your creative brain wants to overachieve

It’s that time again when summer fades into fall, a new school year begins, and we're back to our routines. September can feel overwhelming when you’re launched into a laundry list of things to do. 
 
When everything happens at once, it’s hard to see clearly. You might be moving in different directions at lightning speed. This might heighten anxiety or lead to burnout. It might even alter your mood because who can run on empty and expect to perform at her best?

Speaking from experience, I noticed my anxiety was building when my creative brain was firing off ideas like corn kernels in a hot oiled pan. I love dreaming and believing there’s more I can accomplish, but I was forgetting one thing: patience. I dislike waiting for things I’m excited about, so when I rushed to publish my summer book, it was a disaster. I can see why. Leading up to release day, I was juggling writing, children, planning a trip, and fulfilling orders for my side hustle. I thought I could do it all. I thought it would all work out as it has in the past. This time was different.
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Taking what I learned from my regrettable book release, I decided that my upcoming goals not only needed to serve my time and interest, but it had to be manageable. I remind myself I need patience and time to do the things I love successfully.

If you’re finding yourself swamped with all the things you need to do in a short time, you’re not alone.
 
I’m sharing the five things I’m working on so I don’t burn out when my creative brain wants to overachieve.


1. Keep the word simplify top of mind. It’s easy to get stressed when a lot is going on. Writing down daily tasks and limiting what needs to be done helps ease the mind. Pick one bigger task and a few easier ones. It feels good to check things off a list.

2. Enjoy the little things. We forget about how much an afternoon walk makes us feel, talking to a friend, or drinking that morning cup of coffee. Savour the things that add joy. This goes for your art. You’re writing a story because you have a desire, a purpose. Don’t forget the daily things that make you happy. 

3. Limit your goals. Especially big ones that require time and attention. It’s so easy to add more to your plate, but it’s harder to invest and then take something away. Pick one or two projects to work on. If that’s too much, then stick to one at a time. Trust yourself. You know yourself best.

4. Honour your time. To do something successfully, it’s done with purpose and commitment. There’s no point in investing more time into something new if you’re already juggling current projects. For example, I rushed to publish my summer romance story in July because I wanted it to be someone’s beach read. I didn’t have to publish it quickly; there was no contract, it was purely my doing, and, in the end, there were typos and a few mistakes in the story. It was a hard lesson to learn. 

5. Don’t get sucked into social media if you’re on the cusp of feeling overwhelmed. It can be stress-inducing, especially if you’re trying to make an online presence. Staying relevant is expected, and it can be a time-sucker. Choose your time wisely. The other thing is, being on too many platforms. I’ve tried. I’ve tried to be available on X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Bluesky with three different profiles. For me, it’s proving to be too much and I’m slowing pulling away from some platforms with the goal of only using the ones I enjoy. After all, we all seek connection, so be where you feel most connected.

For now, I’m focusing on writing one story at a time and creating gifts on my downtime. I remind myself that small steps lead to big accomplishments.
​Keep it simple.
One day at a time.

Happy creating!
Charlene

*opinions/suggestions are all my own