I can relate to this so much - I also worked in a university, and also had a totally unrealistic workload, and towards the end of 2018 my physical health completely collapsed. It took me 3-4 months to get past the worst of it, and I've lived with chronic health issues ever since. In April 2020 when I quit the next job, which was meant to be a fresh start - ironically it was a job in healthcare but even more toxic and damaging than the previous one! Finally in summer 2020 after many tentative steps I got a feeling of what creative direction I wanted to head in and have been slowly working on pattern design & textile art every since, and I'm still working through unlearning all the habits I've built over the years that push me into burnout... it's such a big thing!!! I can also relate to the easing yourself back into the Substack thing - I took an intentional break and planned to come back last week, but it's not quite worked out that way and I'm giving myself permission to not make it a priority until next week because I can't juggle it all!
GIRL I also burned out back in late 2020 and I’m finally returning to myself after such an epic crash. But it’s a beautiful thing to listen to the body, to go all in when you have the energy, to consistently come back to your art, to do a little bit when it feels like too much, and even to take a break when needed. Consistency is not linear and I love to read your thoughts when you share <3
I can relate to this so much - I also worked in a university, and also had a totally unrealistic workload, and towards the end of 2018 my physical health completely collapsed. It took me 3-4 months to get past the worst of it, and I've lived with chronic health issues ever since. In April 2020 when I quit the next job, which was meant to be a fresh start - ironically it was a job in healthcare but even more toxic and damaging than the previous one! Finally in summer 2020 after many tentative steps I got a feeling of what creative direction I wanted to head in and have been slowly working on pattern design & textile art every since, and I'm still working through unlearning all the habits I've built over the years that push me into burnout... it's such a big thing!!! I can also relate to the easing yourself back into the Substack thing - I took an intentional break and planned to come back last week, but it's not quite worked out that way and I'm giving myself permission to not make it a priority until next week because I can't juggle it all!
GIRL I also burned out back in late 2020 and I’m finally returning to myself after such an epic crash. But it’s a beautiful thing to listen to the body, to go all in when you have the energy, to consistently come back to your art, to do a little bit when it feels like too much, and even to take a break when needed. Consistency is not linear and I love to read your thoughts when you share <3