I’m right there with you. I was going strong until last week when one more wrench came flying at me and just smacked me over the head. This year has been difficult to navigate for sure.
I noticed beginning at that day I’ve just been completely drained. I sat down twice at my desk and just got that blank stare at an empty paper and once or twice dragged a listless pencil across the paper but it wasn’t in my heart at all.
The strange thing is though, the couple of times that I’ve had to drive out of the house alone in my car during these past couple days, as soon as I begin I’m energized again. So I know it’s just the monotonous and secluded routine of my life right now that’s depressing my spirits. I do have three paintings to finish though which are pressing down on me and I’m having issues getting the frames for two of them. Ugh.
All that to say - you’re absolutely not alone. I hope at least you can take comfort in that.
In the past when I’ve struggled with burnout I’ve just taken a step back from the creativity I was working in, and shifted my creativity to another outlet, usually one that I haven’t attached my identity to (which really, should we all detach any creativity from our identities? I would love to debate whether this is a healthy thing to do or not...)
Like others have said, reading, writing in a diary, spending more time with family, etc.
Best of luck to you and thank you for being open in sharing your feelings.
