Burnout: The Key To Overcoming
As a freelancer, time scheduling is hard. I am guilty of over scheduling myself, if I see a free minute in my day best believe I find something to fill it with. Before my holiday I booked myself to shoot 9-1 before my 1.30-10pm at my retail job two days in a row, then a full shoot day 9-5 the day after. When I did realised I was burnout: socially, psychically, and emotionally I did what any 21 year old would do - and ordered a self help book! As a presumed autistic girl, I personally love a practical solution, and the book ’Burnout: Solve your stress cycle’ by Emily & Amelia Nagoski had plenty.
The approach I am taking is going back to basics: a nutritious 3 meals a day (at least!), sleep for 8 hours and let myself rest. The book mentions how creativity flows when you have rested, and I saw this happen in real time. Before going on holiday, and resting, I felt I had no content - not a single TikTok, LinkedIn or blog post idea despite having three or four niche area’s I could use. Yet the time I sat on my sunbed after three days of rest: so many ideas - including this very blog - came to me.
I could explain the whole book but it would take too long, but one fact that stood out to me was people who have been awake 19 hours have the same cognitive and motor function as someone who is legally intoxicated. Science says 42% of your day should be rest: sleep, psychical activity that is good for the brain/soul, stress reducing conversation with a partner and settling down before sleep.
The last element of the book I am taking with me into recovery is completing the stress cycle: rather than pushing the stress to the back of my mind I will complete the cycle. This could be through Exercise, Breathwork, Dancing (this one is good because you are talking the language your body knows - body language!), or maybe you need a big old cry.
I hope other freelancers or anyone with a side hustle who needs this information finds it, I am curious what sings of burnout other people have experienced - especially creatives! Until then: I will keep these blogs with updates on my burnout recovery.