As an Independent musician, you are an artist with a desire to express yourself freely through your craft. However, living the dream is not always easy. Many musicians just like you face what is known as burnout; a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and a heavy workload. Burnout can affect your performance, creativity, and overall well-being. In How To Avoid Burnout: Ways Musicians Can Actually Thrive And Avoid Exhaustion, we will discuss what burnout is, why musicians are prone to it, and tips on how to prevent or treat burnout.
Before being a musician, you’re first a human being.
In 2023, we’re going against the current. It’s time to focus on you and your art and the only way you can do this is to provide balance. Your passion, skills, and even your career will continue to downward spiral if you don’t prioritize yourself now.
First…
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It can lead to feelings of detachment, cynicism, and a lack of motivation. Burnout can also affect a person’s ability to perform their job or engage in their hobbies. Burnout is not just feeling tired after a long day of work, but a chronic state of exhaustion that can last for weeks or even months.
73% of independent musicians struggle with mental illness.
A 2019 study by Swedish digital platform Record Union produced similarly worrying results. The survey concluded that 73% of independent musicians struggle with mental illness. This figure climbed to 80% when researchers focused solely on the 18-25 age group.
Are You Experiencing Burnout?
Mayo Clinic has provided a reliable list of possible signs and symptoms of burnout. In the context of your daily life as a musician, ask yourself:
- Have you become cynical or critical at work?
- Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?
- Have you become irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
- Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
- Do you find it hard to concentrate?
- Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
- Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
- Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or simply not feel?
- Have your sleep habits changed? (Insomnia, extreme fatigue, or sleeping too much?)
- Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems, or other physical complaints?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be experiencing burnout. There’s no specific way to feel or endure burnout; you may only show one or two symptoms or may simply relate to all of them at once. But don’t worry! Though it’s unfortunate, burnout is extremely common, especially with creatives. Artists are always pressured to not only keep up with the times but to stay ahead of them as the music industry and social media constantly evolve.
You cannot simply show up every single day at 110% without consequences
Why Are Musicians Prone to Burnout?
Musicians are often under a great deal of pressure to perform at a high-level and to do so constantly. You’re expected to utilize every marketing strategy you see to draw exposure, make sales, and play shows every day. Then, you don’t get paid enough from your streams or gigs to pay all of the bills, so you decide to wait tables or start another side hustle to make ends meet.
Okay, what? Where does your sanity come in? I couldn’t breathe just writing that sentence. And if you’re an artist, you know this is only the beginning of your stress.
You’re surrounded by industry word jargon, heavy contract language, and dehumanized verbiage to digest and practice religiously. You’re always opening up TikTok or Instagram and seeing a million ways to produce a track, market a single, etc. It’s JUST too much.
How do you even make decisions anymore?
As an artist, you may face long hours of rehearsals, performances, and touring. Objectively, this can lead to a lack of sleep, poor eating habits, and a lack of exercise. Musicians are also under constant scrutiny from fans, critics, and their peers, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt.
It feels like everything you do is always being judged.
What Causes Burnout?
Here are some possible causes of burnout from Mayo Clinic. Burnout can result from various factors, including:
- Lack of control. An inability to influence decisions that affect your job — such as your schedule, assignments or workload — could lead to job burnout. So could a lack of the resources you need to do your work.
- Unclear job expectations. If you’re unclear about the degree of authority you have or what your supervisor or others expect from you, you’re not likely to feel comfortable at work.
- Dysfunctional workplace dynamics. Perhaps you work with an office bully, or you feel undermined by colleagues or your boss micromanages your work. This can contribute to job stress.
- Extremes of activity. When a job is monotonous or chaotic, you need constant energy to remain focused — which can lead to fatigue and job burnout.
- Lack of social support. If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you might feel more stressed.
- Work-life imbalance. If your work takes up so much of your time and effort that you don’t have the energy to spend time with your family and friends, you might burn out quickly.
Tips On How To Prevent Burnout
- Set boundaries – It is important to set boundaries around your time and energy. This can mean saying no to gigs or performances that don’t align with your values or taking breaks when you need them.
- Take care of your physical health – Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. This will help to keep your body and mind in top condition.
- Practice mindfulness – Mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can help you to stay present and focused, even in high-pressure situations. Consider practicing yoga or meditation 5-10 minutes a day to bring awareness to your stress triggers and manage them.
- Prioritize self-care – Self-care is essential for preventing burnout. This can mean taking time for hobbies or activities that you enjoy, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a relaxing bath or reading a book.
Tips on How to Effectively Treat Burnout
- Seek professional help – If you are experiencing burnout, it may be helpful to seek the support of a mental health professional. They can provide you with tools and strategies to manage your stress and improve your overall well-being.
- Take time off – Taking a break from your work or creative pursuits can help to alleviate burnout symptoms. This can mean taking a vacation or simply taking a few days off to rest and recharge. Schedule at least one day a week to take a day off from music and your regular job. Give yourself time to rest and even do some normal things! Go on a date, hang out with friends, learn a new recipe, journal, or go for a walk!
- Connect with others – Burnout can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection. Connecting with others, whether it’s through support groups, therapy, or simply spending time with friends and family, can help to combat these feelings.
Ultimately, burnout is a common issue for musicians due to the high demands and pressure that come with their profession. By setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and seeking professional help when needed, you can prevent the rock bottom of burnout and properly treat it with symptom stoppers that promote balance and recovery in your daily life. Remember, taking care of your well-being is not only essential for your own health but also for your ability to create and perform at your best.
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