Want to lose everything you’ve worked so hard to build? Ignore your needs, silence the alarms, and “just push through it”... until you explode.
Sound like a deleted monologue from The Bear? Maybe. But we’ve got your attention.
Obvious truth: no one wants this. It’s not the goal, and it definitely didn’t make the five-year plan. Yet here we are: 66% of millennials, 56% of Gen Z, and nearly half of Gen X and Boomers are burned out.
Most of us won't admit it (giving up isn’t on brand), but a lot of us are exhausted, disoriented, and quietly asking, “What does it all even mean? Is this seriously it?”
It’s an absurd split. We finally got the dream, or something dream-adjacent, and now we’re fantasizing about quitting it all for hot honey soppressata, a weighted blanket, and maybe a new puppy. Not just for a Friday. For a while.
We know we need a reset. Desperately. But we’re convinced that slowing down means everything will fall apart. Even in a culture obsessed with balance, boundaries, and mental health, the unspoken role persists: keep the machine running, even when we’re the ones breaking down.
But what if that’s the real lie? That doubling (or tripling) down isn’t the solution, it’s the problem.
What if learning to care for ourselves isn’t just good for us, but foundational to sustaining the very success we’re trying to protect?
How did we get here?
No one choose burnout. Most of us were taught, explicitly or by example, that success requires sacrifice, that rest is optional, and that hard work is just part of the package if you want to “make it.” We learned to overdeliver. To say yes when we needed to say no. To work seven days a week, or be on 16 hours a day. And for more than just a season.
Somewhere along the way, the line between dedication and burnout blurred. We started to believe that being successful meant being valuable. That’s not failure. It’s conditioning.
The amazing news is, once you name something, you begin to change it.
How do you know if you’re burned out?
Burnout doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes, it’s subtle. Slow. Creeping. Here are the most common signs of burnout creatives should watch for:
- You're tired all the time, even after a goodnight’s sleep.
- You feel emotionally numb, not just stressed out.
- Small tasks feel disproportionately difficult.
- You’ve lost motivation or joy for work you used to care about.
- You're grumpier or more cynical than usual.
- You procrastinate or disconnect, even (and especially) with deadlines right around the corner.
- You feel like nothing you do makes a difference.
- You struggle to concentrate or make decisions.
- You zone out imagining quitting, disappearing, or starting over.
- You feel like you’re always "on," but it’s hard to be present.
- Even that vacation didn’t help.
Hit a little close to home? You're not alone, nor are you broken. Let's talk recovery. Here’s a science-backed framework for feeling better, one small shift at a time:
1. Acknowledge It
The moment you name burnout, your brain stops fighting it and starts integrating it. That reduces tension and activates your prefrontal cortex, the part responsible for decision-making and perspective.
Think: “I’m not failing. I’m simply observing a natural human limit. Is there anything I need?” If you’re not sure what you need, practice by asking the question, and you’ll get better, and clearer, over time.
2. Regulate Your Nervous System
Burnout keeps you stuck in fight-or-flight (or fawn). Recovery begins when you help your body feel safe again.
Try: Slow walks, deep breathing, yoga, prayer, meditation, cooking, or simply sitting in silence. Even five minutes a day makes a difference.
Brené Brown reminds us that the antidote to overwhelm isn’t more productivity, it’s stillness. She’s even referred to it as “nothingness.” Not striving. Not squeezing in one more thing. Just... stopping.
3. Rebuild Your Energy Rhythms
Chronic burnout thrives on overextension and erratic energy cycles. Choose one life area and start rebalancing.
Try:
- Protecting sleep.
- Balancing blood sugar by eating consistently and prioritizing protein, healthy fats, and balanced carbs.
- Focus on whole foods. Gut health is brain health.
- Taking real breaks (no multitasking).
- Honoring your natural energy ebbs and flows (if you don’t know your chronotype, look into it).
- Prioritize gratitude. Remembering the good lightens perspective.
Side note: if you landed on this blog, there’s a good chance you’re in job search mode. Candidly, the process can be really hard (and this is coming from recruiters). If you need support for job search burnout, we wrote about it here.
4. Reconnect to Meaning
One of the core symptoms of burnout is a sense of disconnection, or purposelessness.
Ask:
- What brings me joy, or used to?
- What are my talents? Take inventory here if you haven’t in a while. We evolve.
- What breaks my heart? This one might seem like a downer, but it’s actually the opposite. Understanding what matters to you can help show you where you might be uniquely energized to make a difference in the world.
Try: Reintroducing small things that bring joy, like creative work, community, nature and beauty. If it makes you happy, it’s not an extra. It’s fuel.
We shared some reset tips for creatives here.
5. Reevaluate Your Inputs
From Slack pings to social media scrolls, burnout is intensified by overstimulation. Gently limit what drains you and make space for what restores you. Protect your attention like it’s your energy budget. Because it is.
6. Ask for Help
Think of this as a strategic move. You wouldn’t start a business or take on an important project solo. Talk to a therapist, coach, trusted friend, or even your manager (if it feels safe).
Burnout often gets better faster when you feel seen and supported.
7. Redefine Success
This is the deeper shift.
What does a successful life actually look like for you? It’s different for everyone, but many of us are learning to shift out of striving for achievement and into deep peace, real community, and rich purpose.
8. Do It All With Self-Compassion
We tend to be kinder to others than we are to ourselves. Sometimes we’re afraid that, if we give ourselves grace, we might let up, our performance might decrease, or we might not do as well in life. But the opposite is actually true. When our inner voice is understanding and supportive, we do better.
Ask: As you hear your own inner voice, which is so often a critic (for all of us), consider, is this the way I’d speak to my best friend?
Try: Observe moments where you might need encouragement. How can you be that for yourself?
You don’t need a total life overhaul to recover from burnout. You just need small, steady choices that move you back toward balance, clarity, and inspiration.
Let’s be clear: burnout isn’t just a wellness issue. It’s a strategy issue.
When you’re depleted, you can’t lead, create, or grow at your full capacity. Caring for yourself isn’t a detour from success. It’s the path to sustainable, meaningful work.
So what’s next?
Each week, choose one of the eight recovery ideas and commit to it. You’ll be surprised how quickly you start feeling like yourself again—with more energy, more perspective, and maybe even more hope.
And if burnout is colliding with a job search? You don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re ready to find a better-fit role, take a break from toxic team dynamics, or just talk to someone who gets the creative hustle—we’re here to help.
