Writer’s Burnout – How to Recover When You’ve Burned Out

Over the last few weeks, we’ve looked at what writer’s burnout is and isn’t, and how to recognise your warning signs.

But sometimes, burnout finds you no matter how well you hide. Other times, you think you’re fine only to get a nasty shock and burn out anyway.

So, today, we’ll look at different things you could do to recover!

Isn’t it odd how easy it is to overlook a bit of self-care? Our everyday lives are hectic and often packed so tight there’s no room for anything else.

I made a self-care spread in my bullet journal back in January. Do you know when I finally filled it in? Five days ago.

It’s almost like we don’t take self-care seriously!

Here are some of the things I do to recover, straight from my bullet journal spread; I hope they help you, too. Feel free to add your own in the comments below, and perhaps we can compile a master list 🙂

Tea, my blanket, and a book.

And maybe the fire, too, if it’s winter*.

One of my favourite ways of recharging is to make a tea, curl up in my blanket**, and read a book. If it’s bad, I might not even read (no brainpower and all that), I might just loaf and watch TV. It’s super cosy, and feels like a real day off.

*or Spring, or Autumn. I freeze fast, okay?

**it has pockets for my feet, guys. Pockets. For my feet.

Pinterest

I love Pinterest, because I never feel like I completely waste my time with it. It’s perfect for visual research, so I can convince myself I’m doing something productive.

If that’s too much stress for my burned out mind, I have a whole folder dedicated to adorable animals. Not productive in the least, but sometimes you need a baby bunny and a baby kitten cuddling each other, right?

Research

Now, bear with me. I know this sounds counter-productive, but I don’t often get a lot of time for my research. I’ve got books full of mythology which I’d love to read, but never get around to.

The only research I have time for is the kind immediately relevant to my WIP. Everything else, no matter how intriguing, has to wait.

That’s why sitting down with a book on mythology for a morning feels like a break to me. It doesn’t help anything I’m currently working on, so it’s not technically work, and I could read about secrets and myths for hours!

Spa Day

*ahem*

I mean, I don’t have the time or the money to dish out on a spa day… But I do have time and money for a face mask I already bought!

And since I can’t do much while the mask drains the oil from my face anyway, it’s the perfect time to meditate.

No need to do anything fancy. Just sit comfortably, close your eyes, and calm your breathing while your mask sets.

It’s quick, it’s cheap, it’s easy, and you’ll feel pampered after!

Games

I’m a huge gamer, so relaxing on the sofa with a controller in my hand and someone else’s fictional world, lore, and characters is one of my favourite ways to relax.

Naturally, I also find it the most difficult. I tend to play every day, so a day playing games isn’t that different to my usual downtime. Also, unless I’ve given myself permission to rest for a day, I tend to feel guilty, like I’m not working hard enough*. However, once I’ve set a day aside as a recovery day, I can enjoy whatever game I’m playing at the time, even if it is during the day.

*you could argue that I’m not since I’m playing games in this example

Comfort Food Everything

You know that movie that never fails to make you smile? That song that never fails to cheer you up? That scenery that always clears your head?

Now’s a good time for all the things that comfort you, friends. And completely guilt-free, too!

Indulge. Spoil yourself. You’ve worked so hard your body said no more–you’ve clearly earned it!

Those are my favourite ways of spending some well-deserved me-time–but I wanted to give you something more. After all, my experiences aren’t going to work for everyone! So, I took to Twitter and asked what other people do to recover. Here are some ideas:

– Read
– Play a game
– Netflix
– Watch a creative movie
– Get outside
– Visit Barnes & Noble
– Hang out with friends

A healthy dose of any of these things is consistently effective at re-filling my soul. https://t.co/UllIq3mbQv

— Love, Brianna 🏹 (@Brianna_daSilva) March 15, 2018

 

I read, binge watch something or a bunch of different things, hang out with friends, ALL THE MUSIC.

— Lexi Lefevre (@LexiIsAWriter) March 16, 2018

 

Reading! Best way to recharge words

— Esme Symes-Smith (@ESymesSmith) March 15, 2018

Note how often binge-watching TV and reading gets mentioned? Books and Netflix appear to be the answer 😉

If you’d like to follow any of these lovely people, just click their tweet and it’ll take you to their profile.

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How do YOU recover after you’ve burned out? Do any of the above work for you, too, or do you do something different? Make a tea, plate some cookies, and let’s talk self-care!

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