100 Ways to Transform Creative Burnout

It is actually scientifically proven that humans are less creative when experiencing chronic stress. The complete upending of life that we have experienced collectively during the pandemic has forced our brains into a fight, flight, or freeze mode. This means we are narrowly focusing our energy on survival, with little to spare for creative productivity. Consider this list as a permission slip to be in your feels, take a break from the grind, and find some pleasure during this wild time.

1. Take a break + check-in with yourself

2. Go outside

3. Take a walk

4. Go for a bike ride

5. Go rollerskating

6. Go skateboarding

7. Go for a drive

8. Feel the earth beneath you

9. Smell a flower

10. Take a dip in some water

11. Take a shower

12. Take a bath

13. Read a book

14. Organize your workspace

15. Listen to music

16. Dance alone

17. Play or learn to play a musical instrument

18. Pet a dog

19. Pet a cat

20. Draw

21. Paint

22. Learn to make natural dye

23. Use plants to make an herb/local plant bundle

24. Take a class

25. Download a meditation app

26. Create a morning/evening ritual “to-do” list

27. Cook for yourself

28. Nap

29. Lay down + let yourself just rest

30. Call a friend

31. Future-self journaling -- imagine a dreamy situation for your future-self and write about it like it's happening right now.

32. Start your own at-home residency program

33. Watch a nature doc

34. Watch a space doc

35. Download Duolingo or another language learning app

36. Start you own personal charitable giving fund + budget for donations

37. Volunteer (even if it’s virtual)

38. Contribute to a local mutual aid

39. Listen to a new podcast

40. Listen to an audio book

41. Wash your sheets

42. Give yourself a steam facial

43. Start a garden

44. Water your plants

45. Water yourself

46. Play with makeup

47. Paint your own nails

48. Write a letter to your past self

49. Write a letter to your future self

50. Write a letter to your present self

51. Touch yourself

52. Start a cleaning project you’ve been putting off

53. Start a financial project you’ve been putting off

54. Start a “I’ve been meaning to…” list

55. Learn about a culture that is foreign to you

56. Play

57. Make a gratitude list

58. Reach out to a person or brand that’s inspiring to tell them they’re inspiring

59. Write a review for your favorite shop or restaurant

60. Write a review of your favorite podcast

61. Think about the last time you were jealous, write down why you felt that way

62. Think about the last time you were angry, write down why you felt that way

63. Revisit an old hobby

64. Try out a new hobby

65. Sign up for all the free webinars in your inbox + put them on your calendar

66. Learn about feng shui

67. Feng shui your living space

68. Grieve the life you used to have

69. Celebrate the life you have now

70. Find + frame a photo of you from childhood

71. Give up an unhealthy coping mechanism for a day

72. Incorporate a healthy coping mechanism for a day

73. Ask for what you need from someone

74. Offer what you have to someone

75. Spend 10 minutes commenting on friends and favorite accounts posts on Instagram

76. Mine your favorite social media accounts for content inspiration

77. Delete Instagram

78. Entertain the daydreams you have about projects you haven’t started

79. Have a compassionate friend conversation with yourself

80. Lend your ear to a friend in-need

81. Set boundaries

82. Determine your personal value system

83. Hang artwork on your walls

84. Practice setting intentions throughout the day

85. Talk to your higher power

86. Learn about different belief systems

87. Learn about your cultural heritage

88. Practice listening to your intuition

89. Write down your fears

90. Draw your fears

91. Paint your fears

92. Write down your joy

93. Draw your joy

94. Paint your joy

95. Notice the fear you had to overcome to achieve your joy

96. Go to therapy

97. Make a doctors appointment

98. Cry

99. Scream

100. Remind yourself this will pass