CREATIVE BURNOUT IS REAL

James Coogan - Art Director

As the year draws to a close, many of us feel the all-to-familiar dread of deadlines, client expectations, and the relentless push to come up with an ad campaign Ryan Reynolds would be proud of. But creative burnout is real, and it can leave you feeling as drained as an empty Um-bongo. But have no fear, as all is not lost,

Here’s a few things I do to refresh, reset, and find my groove again.

1. Step away from the Screen
If you are staring at the blue glow of your Mac screen, wondering how many Tic-Tacs you can fit in your mouth - it's probably time you stepped away. I know timesheets mean that every second of your day needs to be recorded... but trust me, you aren't achieving anything whilst sitting there. Get your bum off the seat and stretch those legs. A quick walk, or any movement at all stimulates blood flow and gets you breathing some of the good ol O2. And all of that helps you refocus, and maybe if you went outside... you might spark something in your mind. The best ideas come when you disengage. Why else did you think all your killer ideas happen in the shower?

2. Rediscover Play
Creativity often thrives when you remove the pressure to “perform.” I give myself permission to PLAY—doodle faces, write nonsense, take pictures, listen to music and see what happens. Even if it's nothing, that's ok! Remember this job is supposed to be fun. And remember that creativity thrives when our minds slip into a child-like state of play. Don't take my word for it, go watch the John Cleese video where he talks about it. It'll change your life.

3. Move On
Sometimes it just won't happen. Then you try all these cool techniques some rad Art Director told you about in an agency blog, and they don't work either. It happens to us all. Move on.
That sounds extreme, but seriously. Try putting it down for a bit, help someone else on the team with something for half an hour, find a win somewhere else, then come back to the problem. You'll find yourself a bit more ready for the challenge.

4. Connect with Others
Burnout can feel isolating... and you are obviously the only person feeling this way.
Well guess what? You ain't.
This happens to us all. And talking with other creatives reminds me I’m not alone. I share frustrations, laugh about shared struggles, and celebrate wins—big or small. These conversations remind me that we’re all navigating the same ups and downs. It helps.

5. Rest Without Guilt
Finally, I’ve learned the importance of rest. Real, guilt-free rest. Whether that’s time spent hate-watching I'm a Celeb or escaping into the world of whatever video game I'm playing, I remind myself that rest is productive—it’s the foundation for everything I’ll create tomorrow. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

Burnout isn’t the end of creativity, it's just a signal that your brain needs care and attention too. The Adobe Creative Suite is a useful tool, but it's worth nothing if you are just a puddle of caffeine in a black T-shirt. broken and devoid of spark.
So don't be that, look after yourselves. And have a well-earned break, because we go again next year!