2020 has left many people disillusioned about the path and the shape their career will take, so it is sometimes important to take a step back and think more constructively about the things you have already done, and the things you hope to do within the next 365 days!
The rise of burnout culture since the late 1990s has created a mentality, especially amongst millennials, that we need to push and work at what we do every hour that god sends! Whilst it is good to push yourself, burnout is simply unhealthy and can instead cause people to resent the things they are passionate about. Something as emotional and personal as music should feel good to do. When it starts to manifest negatively, then it’s perhaps time to take a break and remind yourself of the reasons why you got into music in the first place. Enjoyment is sometimes a better motivator than any money or social standing and it allows you to focus on the natural element of creating good, relatable music to share with your friends, and eventually the public.
Also, take the time to check up on your friends if they are showing signs of burnout. As is the old adage, “a problem shared is a problem halved,” so another perspective can sometimes bring light to aspects of problems that you hadn’t considered yourself. Being able to confide in other people and building networks of meaningful trust is a start to combatting the sense of isolation caused by being locked down.
From personal experience, taking an academic approach to understanding the causes of social difficulties is a great way of seeing what studies have to say about loneliness. Even though it seems impersonal, if you are experiencing loneliness and isolation, statistics suggest you are not the only one. 3 in 5 Americans are suggested to experience loneliness, especially at work, this was also most prevalent amongst those aged 18-22. (Renken, 2020) A deconstruction of modern internet culture would suggest that we are both more connected and more isolated than ever, at the same time. It is very easy to get lost within the endless possibilities that living online can present, and this has harmed people’s abilities to formulate meaningful connections in the place where most stress occurs.
A few questions to ask yourself this year:
What can I do in my daily life that best benefits the course of life I want to pursue? This may include taking on a new skill in order to remove the ‘stale’ feeling that comes from doing the same things over and over on a daily basis.
What can I do to be an asset to others this year? Everyone needs a little bit of help sometimes, so how do I prepare myself to help when I am needed?
How do I know when to take a break? What signs can I look out for in myself and in others to know when I am close to burning out? What measures can I take to think and act more healthily towards my working attitudes?
Have a Happy New Year!
Whilst the near future seems quite unpredictable, it’s not necessarily doom and gloom! Everyone have a safe and happy 2021!
This is the first blog post of the year, so hope to connect with as many people as possible over the course of the year! Hope these words are of some help in thinking differently about the way us creatives approach our work and our interactions!
References
Renken, E., (2020) “Most Americans Are Lonely, and Our Workplace Culture May Not Be Helping,” Available at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/23/798676465/most-americans-are-lonely-and-our-workplace-culture-may-not-be-helping?t=1609954611780
Tom C- Blog and Collected Works 