Fellow writers, have you ever felt so tired of writing you want to quit? If so you have experienced burnout. Most writers have experienced it at some point. Burnout is when a person becomes mentally or physically exhausted from overworking. In this case, it is getting worn out from writing. I have gotten burnout plenty of times due to writing for the paper, school, and on original projects. The danger of burnout is that it can lead to serious problems such as depression, anxiety, and even illness.
How can you tell if you are experiencing burnout?. I searched the inter-webs for some symptoms of burnout, and how to combat them. I found plenty and even thought of some myself, but here are 4 big signs of burnout (and their solutions):
1.) Fatigue
Do you find yourself extremely tired when writing? People who are fatigued will find themselves exhausted, drained and depleted.
The solution? Rest
Give yourself breaks from writing. Whether this break is by taking a nap, walk, playing a game, or pampering yourself at the spa, taking some time for self-care is extremely important. (For more on self care, read this article).
2.) Loss of enjoyment
We’ve all been there. Where you just want to put your pen down, lock away your keyword, and never write again. I have to admit that over the years, writing has become less enjoyable than it was when I was younger. Feeling like writing is more of a chore than a joy is a big sign you’re feeling burnout.
The solution? Go back to your roots
Think of what made you love writing in the first place. If you remember the positive aspects of why you love writing, that enthusiasm will flow into your current works.
3.) Lack of concentration/ being forgetful.
According to psychologytoday: “Lack of focus and mild forgetfulness are early signs. Later, the problems may get to the point where you can’t get your work done and everything begins to pile up.” Writers who have a hard time keeping up with their works or just forgetting them all together, most likely suffer from writer’s burnout
The solution: Keep a schedule
Schedules will help to keep you on track. If you keep works and assignments written down you won’t forget them. This can help get you focused and finish any undone work. After this you’ll be ready to tackle any projects ahead of you!
4.) Depression
This is one of the more serious signs: being depressed. Writers, and just about any person working in a specific field, can find themselves unsatisfied with their work. This in turn results in feeling guilty and worthless. Depression makes writing (and life in general) more difficult.
The solution: Think positive and seek help.
Despite how neurotypical this can sound, thinking positive is a big key to fighting depression. You have to put yourself in a good mindset if you expect to overcome depression. For some people, depression is a life-long battle, but keeping a positive mindset can help to ease the pain.
If the depression becomes worse, it is always okay to reach out to someone for help. Whether that be a friend or therapist, talking to someone about your emotions can be a big step towards recovery.
Hopefully this will help someone out there suffering from burnout. Happy writing!!
Ariel Nichelle 