Here’s how to recognize and deal with burnout as a photographer

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that can significantly impact your creativity. And not only that but your overall well-being. It’s a challenge many artists and photographers face from time to time, for various reasons. In his recent video, Rick Bebbington addresses this issue, discussing the reasons behind it, the telltale signs, and ways to overcome it. So if you’re currently feeling uninspired, fatigued, and “just not feeling it” when it comes to anything creative, this video comes at the right time.

Recognizing the signs

It’s crucial to identify the signs of burnout early on. And it’s not easy even when you know what burnout is and what it looks like in you. Honestly, I had to write myself a list of my early signs of depressive episodes and burnout so I could recognize them on time, even though I’ve experienced them countless times. It’s useful to have it written, so here’s a list of some common symptoms:

• Loss of creative passion: You may feel a decreased interest in photography, a lack of motivation, and a diminished sense of joy in creating. This can especially be obvious if you also do photography for a living and you lose the desire to do it for personal fulfillment.
• Overwhelming expectations: External pressures, such as client demands or social media expectations, can contribute to burnout as well. Pay attention to them and notice how you feel.
• Physical and mental exhaustion: Feeling constantly tired, having difficulty concentrating, and struggling with sleep can also be signs of burnout.
• Loss of connection: Another common sign of burnout is disconnecting from your creative community and losing touch with your passion. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can only deepen all unpleasant feelings.
• Impostor syndrome: Doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud can erode your self-confidence and hinder your creative process as well. Sadly, many people struggle with impostor syndrome, and here you’ll find some useful guidance on dealing with it.
• Gear frustration: You may believe that new gear will solve your creative problems. While it can be a temporary fix, it doesn’t address the root cause of burnout. You’ll play with it for a few days or weeks, and then you’ll be back to square one.
• Desire to walk away: Questioning your career path and considering quitting can indicate severe burnout.

Nurturing your creative soul

Okay, how do you deal with burnout? It’s important to address it early as it can further lead to more serious conditions like depression. It’s especially dangerous if you’re already prone to depressive episodes and burnout can push you deep into them. Sadly, I know this firsthand.

To overcome burnout at its earliest stages, it’s essential to recognize it first. This is where that list above will come in handy. I suggest also listening to your body and intuition more and making a list of signs that apply to you. They can include increased irritability and even physical symptoms like headaches, increased heart rate, and gastrointestinal problems.

In times like this, prioritizing self-care is a must. Put yourself first (and no, you’re not selfish for doing it). Here are some strategies that will help you to manage burnout and ultimately rejuvenate your creative spirit:

• Be kind to yourself: Treat yourself with compassion and avoid self-criticism. Tell yourself what you’d tell to a close friend. I’m sure you wouldn’t call them worthless or lazy if they told you they felt overwhelmed.
• Take a break: Sometimes, we need to take a step back so we can move forward. I know I sound like a bumper sticker, but this is true. Don’t push it. Step away from your creative work for a while to rest and recharge.
• Engage in personal projects: If photography is your full-time job, it may be challenging to find joy in it. This is why you should consider a personal project, so you can explore your creative interests without pressure or deadlines. I suggest you start small and give yourself a manageable, enjoyable task. Don’t overwhelm yourself further.
• Explore new environments: If you’re constantly in familiar places, seek inspiration in new locations and think of new experiences. I’d suggest not pushing yourself to shoot but maybe visiting exhibitions, going to the movies, taking a short trip, and just observing the world and enjoying. The inspiration will often come from this.
• Connect with other creatives: Reaching out when you’re feeling down is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Surround yourself with people you love and who made you feel safe and accepted. Build new relationships and strengthen the old ones with both friends and with fellow photographers to share ideas and support each other.
• Limit social media: Excessive social media use can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and comparison. It looks like everyone knows what they’re doing except for you, everyone’s taking photos, everyone’s happy and fulfilled. First of all, no they’re not. People only show the best moments of their lives on social media. They may not even be real moments, but staged precisely for this purpose. Also, photographers often recycle old work when they feel uninspired (and that’s perfectly fine). Stay away from Instagram for a while and just focus on yourself.
• Prioritize self-care: It may sound like it has nothing to do with creativity, but it sure does! Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in activities you enjoy. If you struggle with sleep, try to make a sleep schedule (go to bed and wake up at a similar time every day). Avoid screen time before bed; read a book, listen to music or meditate instead. What helps me is to remind myself that my hobbies don’t have to be purposeful. So, when I’m severely burnt out, I doodle, play word search, or do scrapbooking. Completely “useless” activities in the eyes of capitalism or perhaps our parents – but so darn enjoying, meditative, and great for our mental health! And once your mental health improves – so will your creativity and your desire to take photos.

To sum up, it’s important to recognize the signs of burnout, and then implement the strategies to beat it. Remember, it’s okay to take a break every now and again and prioritize your well-being. By nurturing your physical and mental health, your creative soul will flourish again and you’ll find new energy and inspiration.

[The truth about burnout, photography, and mental health | Rick Bebbington]

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