A Sustainable Creative Habit
An old piece on avoiding burn out
Years and years ago, I briefly had a good old fashioned blog. I loved writing for it, but because I never figured out the SEO side of things and never had more than couple readers, I eventually closed up shop.
But, yesterday, I was scrolling through my old Google docs and came across a little piece about sustainable art, or a creative habit built to survive burnout.
I actually really like what I had to say, so with a few edits, here’s that article!
Sustainable Art
The specter of burnout
Haven’t we all heard a story like this?
A young bright prodigy of an artist is unstoppable. Fueled by ambition, caffeine, and love of the craft, she’s working 100 hour weeks to keep the creative wheels grinding. That’s on top of the day job she needs to fund these ventures.
She’s amassing followers. She’s building loyalty, building a brand, building a name for herself. She strikes a perfect balance between art and business.
She’s a creativity powerhouse.
Until she’s stopped in her tracks by the two most dreaded words in any field: burn out.
Unfortunately, we know this story all too well. You may not be a superstar like this fictional artist, but you probably know what it’s like to burn out.
That cycle of work, work work. Create, create, create. Hustle, hustle, hustle.
You’re firing on all cylinders. Until suddenly…you’re not.
The well dries up. All those sleepless nights catch up to you. You’re tired, you’re frustrated, and you’re certainly not feeling creative.
A sustainable practice
Sooner or later, we all face the question of how to make art in a sustainable way. And I don’t mean using less plastic.
Sustainable art is a practice you’re consistent in and productive in without burning out.
It’s easier said than done. Burn out can feel unavoidable. The very fear gets in the way. I’ve known artists afraid to create “too much” in case they burn out.
Is that all burnout is? Too much creativity?
I have a different theory. I believe burn out is avoided, not by pacing yourself, but by seeking good input as well output.
Sustainable artist’s mind is not a factory.
It’s a forest.
Trees always fall, whether cut down or not. A forest isn’t destroyed by losing trees. It’s destroyed by those who don’t replace what they cut down.
The key to sustainable art? Inspiration.
The root meaning of the word “inspiration” is actually inhalation. To inspire is to breathe in.
So when we are inspired, we are taking a deep breath. Then we breathe out. And back in. And back out.
So it should also be with creativity. Don’t just breathe out! Inspire yourself.
An important part of every practice should be actively seeking out inspiration. Figure out what inspires you! Find your influences, your interests, your curiosities, and study them. Delight in them! Find what lights you up and soak it in.
Breathe in deep. Don’t be afraid to breathe it all out, and create to your highest capacity. When you start to feel burnt out? That just means you’ve been holding your breath. Inhale—get inspired!
“Find out where joy resides and give it a voice beyond singing.” — Robert Louis Stevenson
Become a collector of inspiration
Hi, it’s 2025 me again.
I was like fifteen when I first wrote this, and many of my approaches to creativity and art have changed.
But through it all this concept has carried me. I’ve become a collector of inspiration. Whatever piques my interest, lights me up, or makes me wonder how did they do that? I make a mental note. I make endless playlists and Pinterest boards, collect quotes and prompts like gold for a dragon’s hoard.
This practice has helped me build a songwriting habit, keep a curious lifelong learner’s mindset, and write almost constantly.
My inspiration-finder is always on, even when my productive outlet is not.