Navigating Burnout: A Creative's Journey

The Balancing Act: Juggling Work and Creativity

One of the most common questions Jon and I receive about our marketing business is how we manage to juggle everything while holding down full-time jobs outside of Endigo Collective. Truth be told, it's a constant balancing act, and sometimes, we simply can't do it all.

While we've got the time management part mostly figured out, lately, I've been grappling with the strongest bout of creative rut and burnout since we launched our business last year. I believe that sharing my experience might help others, especially as a fellow creative and freelancer/ service provider, and business owner, so let me break it down for you.

Recognizing Burnout: Signs and Realizations

This year, we've had some 'aha' moments about our business. One of the biggest realizations is that while we're willing to work for any brand, not every brand is the right fit for us. Partnering with service providers like us is a commitment, and unfortunately, not all brands can meet the time or financial requirements. And that's okay, but it means we might not be the best fit for them.

From struggling to find mutually beneficial partnerships to projects falling through and resources being misused, we've had to rethink our brand messaging to attract the right clients. It wasn't a quick fix; it took time to identify the root of the problem and make the necessary adjustments.

This process led to a significant creative block for me, one that developed gradually. The realization that we needed to overhaul our brand messaging threw me off track. Instead of taking a step back, I kept pushing forward, which only exacerbated the problem. I found myself under immense pressure across all aspects of the business until Jon intervened and pointed out the toll it was taking on me. By that point, my creative well had run dry.

While I managed to meet client deadlines, I completely dropped the ball on our own brand's social media schedule – a rarity for someone in our line of work. Now, I'm playing catch-up, but I wanted to share my experience with burnout because I know I'm not alone in this struggle.

Strategies for Recovery: Navigating Burnout and Moving Forward

So, I'm turning this into a two-part series on normalizing and navigating burnout. Today, I wanted to peel back the curtain on how I reached this point and how it could have been prevented. In my next post, I'll delve into how I'm already starting to navigate it and what steps I'm taking to get back on track.

How do you cope with burnout? Join the conversation and share your tips. Remember, taking care of yourself isn't selfish – it's essential for your well-being and productivity.