How to Avoid Artistic Burnout and Keep Inspiration Flowing

Burnout is like having someone drag their heels over your heels — except they're wearing cowboy boots with spurs on. It’s this invisible mental (and sometimes physical) weight that creeps in quietly and then smacks you in the face. It’s the kind of exhaustion that makes you want to throw your sketchbook at the wall — or maybe your iPad — all while silently asking, “Why bother?”

So what exactly is artistic burnout? And how do you know when it’s got its claws in you?

Artistic Burnout feels like...

• When you stare at a blank page and feel rage bubbling up inside, like the page is mocking you and your stupid little face.
• When you desperately want to create, but your willpower is MIA — like your brain hit snooze indefinitely.
• When comparison creeps in and consumes your inspiration, turning all your ideas into an immovable lump of knotted tension.

Burnout for me doesn’t just happen overnight. It rolls in like waves, each one knocking me over harder than the last. But here’s the thing — I’ve learned to push through it. I’ve even made friends with that gnarly state of self-doubt and frustration. It’s a bit New Romantic, I know, but embracing the funk instead of fighting it has been a game changer.

Step One – Check Yourself (Before You Wreck Yourself)

Before you dive headfirst into the creative trenches, ask yourself some fundamental questions. Because sometimes the enemy isn’t a lack of talent — it’s basic self-care.

• Have I drunk enough water today? Dehydration is a sneaky creativity killer. Dry brain, dry ideas. I will forever be an advocate for at least 3 litres of water a day (6ft male. Don't drown yourself on my advice please.)
  
  
• Have I eaten well? Low blood sugar = low energy = zero willpower to create.
  
  
• Do I have a space I can dedicate to drawing? A cluttered or noisy environment can suffocate your focus faster than you think.
  
  
• Are my surroundings feeling cosy and inviting? Comfort isn’t indulgence — it’s fuel for creativity.
   
• What noise level helps me focus? Some people thrive on the buzz of a coffee shop, where every glance feels like a performance. Me? I need noise-cancelling headphones and a silent mind to find my flow. Also, unless you’re a masochist, no one enjoys the sweet decibel-rich rattling of a jackhammer outside your window. Thanks Bournemouth Council.

Taking this self-check moment isn’t just practical — it’s a radical act of self-respect in a world that glorifies burnout.

Step Two – Remember Why You’re Drawing in the First Place

WHY am I drawing? For me, the process always starts with scribbled notes — tiny sparks of ideas written down before pencil meets paper. This little ritual is crucial. Writing down your thoughts gives your imagination a foothold to climb from the blank abyss.

WHAT inspires me? This one’s personal. Look inside yourself and figure out what lights your creative fire. For me, it’s fantasy worldbuilding — crafting magic systems, fairy getaways, and entire make-belief civilisations. 

Immersing yourself in inspiration is a necessity. That might mean taking long nature walks to reboot your senses, visiting a museum to soak up old masters, or simply receiving those random, heartfelt kisses from your loving nanny who misses you dearly.

Personally, roleplaying games combined with absolute silence — sitting with my eyes closed and letting mental pictures form — is my secret sauce.

Step Three – Use References (It’s Not Cheating)

Don’t let your pride sabotage your progress. Using references isn’t cheating — it’s smart. Copying or tracing shapes over reference images is a healthy way to learn how things actually look.

Your brain is basically a bank of images, and every face, leaf, or dragon scale you study is a deposit that makes future drawing easier and more accurate. How else would you master faces without careful study? Remember, referencing is about understanding, not plagiarism.

Step Four – Be Kind to Yourself

For Christ’s sake, be kind to yourself. You wouldn’t fill a petrol car with diesel, right? Treat your mind the same way. Negative self-talk is like pouring diesel into your creative engine — it’s going to stall you fast.

Sometimes the best medicine is simple: go for a walk, take a nap, or just close your eyes and breathe. Naps are underrated. Seriously.

And here’s the kicker — laugh at your pain. Recognise when you’re in a funk and laugh it off like the cosmic joke it is. Because sometimes, the best way to get out of a creative slump is to stop taking yourself so seriously.

Remember, burnout isn’t failure — it’s your body and brain’s way of hitting the reset button. Embrace the waves, nurture yourself, and your muse will be back before you know it.