Running on Empty (And Why Rest Isn't Enough)
Why getting clear on your core makes for better creative, and how to actually do it.
I’ve hit full creative burnout a few times in this career of mine, and I’ve ran the line plenty of times. But what I’ve come to realise is that, for me, burnout doesn’t just come from working too much. It comes from working on the wrong things. To put it bluntly, it’s from doing things that drain instead of fill. Projects, tasks or time sucks that feel meaningless, misaligned, or just plain uninspiring.
Now, there was a time when I had to take on everything. I said yes to get the reps in, learn the ropes, and hone my skills, whilst actually getting paid to do so. Big bonus!
It was an exciting time. I was doing new things all the time, and however uncomfortable it felt in the moment, it kept me growing. But once I had more of a direction, and a distinct style, that same volume of “just okay” work would push me towards feeling flat frustrated, and verging on burnout.
I’ve learned that the antidote, for me, isn’t rest alone, but alignment. Doing the things that actually excite me, challenge me, and feel like I’m moving things forward. However small that move is. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1. Growth: I love to chase the feeling of progress. Trying new styles, experimenting with new techniques, or learning new skills keeps me engaged. And not only in day-to-day design. Sometimes it’s business, personal growth or just getting through my to-do list. If I get that feeling of learning and growth, it stops me from stalling, and helps me feel like I’m on a roll.
2. Structure: I figured out my max project load. (Shout-out to Suz) How many projects can I actually handle on the desk, with the time I have in the week? Once we had a finger on the pulse of that, we built clear milestones around it. Setting deadlines for each phase of a project makes the whole workload feel manageable, and way less chaotic. It gives you a clear overview of your week, and day-to-day. I keep a running to-do system that catches all the small tasks before they turn into stress. Most of the time. I’ve learnt that having structure doesn’t kill creativity, it saves it. (Again, thank you Suz.)
3. Clarity: I know the kind of work that lights me up, and the kind that empties my cup. I know the kind of clients I love collaborating with, and the ones who drain the energy right out of me. Listening to my gut on this helps me say no before I overcommit, and keeps my best energy for the work I’ve got in front of me, that I feel really aligned with.
4. Create More Than I Consume: I cut 95% of the external noise from social media and online in general, and started listening to my own creative brain. This newsletter started as a practice of doing just that. What do I want to make? What do I actually think? As a self-taught designer, I’ve learnt a ton from others on Instagram and YouTube, so I know the value. But it’s a slippery slope into comparison and pressure. You can end up feeling like you’re behind before you even start. Hell, I still feel that way some days. Now, I follow only a select few voices that genuinely inspire me and add value, and I leave the rest behind.
So there it is. Four reasonably simple ways I’ve managed to keep burnout from creeping too close. These are definitely not miracle fixes, but they’ve helped me get clearer, more focused, and a little less crispy around the edges. Hopefully, they help you too.
TL;DR
Burnout, for me, isn’t just about working too much. It’s about working on the wrong things for too long. When I’m misaligned, overextended, or consuming more than I’m creating, I feel it fast. What’s helped isn’t rest alone, but alignment. Chasing growth, building structure, getting clear on what lights me up, and protecting my creative headspace. None of it is revolutionary, but together it keeps me from running myself into the ground.
If you’re an OG and recognise the sentiment from this one, that’s because it’s a reworked issue from the weekly email days of FTD. it felt right to revisit it, reshape it a little, and see how it lands now.
As I work through bringing older issues here, I’m reminded that revisiting is good practice for more than just newsletters. It’s good to review old ideas, old systems, old beliefs, and adapt them as you grow.
If you’re feeling the weight a little lately, maybe this is your nudge to check in on what you’re actually working on, and why.
Appreciate you being here folks, see you in the next one.
Rory
