What does it mean “to rest” as a Musician?
This is something creatives in every industry struggle with. “Resting.” What does that even mean? Ideas strike at any moment and we have to be ready to run with them, right? Well…not exactly. Sure, if a lyric pops in your head while you’re dreaming about being a member of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team for the hundredth time, wake up and write that sucker down! (Just me…? Well. Alright then.) However, if your creative juices just aren’t flowing and you’re trying to force a new idea out, it’s time to put it away. Why? Quite frankly, because no good idea ever came from a brain that isn’t functionally the way you want it to.
Let’s talk burnout for a second, shall we?
What is burnout and why does it happen? According to the World Health Organization, “Occupational Burnout is a phenomenon resulting from chronic work-related stress. Symptoms can include feelings of exhaustion, negativism, and cynicism.” Sound familiar, my fellow independent musicians? Some would even call this being “jaded.” We as creatives feel as though we have to constantly be working towards our dream of making our creativity our occupation which is partially true however, there comes a time when it is perfectly acceptable to walk away for a moment and let your mind recover. Why? While the brain is a fascinating organ that many, many people have dedicated their lives to learning about exactly how much it can do, at the end of the day, it’s still a living thing. Like all other living things, it needs time to rest and recover as well.
So, when you’ve been going for what seems like 24/7 playing gigs, booking shows, creating content, searching for new opportunities, basically being a one-person-record-label for yourself, it’s no wonder that when it comes time to be creative, you’re a little tapped out. On top of figuring all of that out for you, your brain is also making sure you function like a normal human. If your brain can send signals to all of your limbs and muscles to move when you want them to, don’t you think it can send a signal to you that it’s tired? Headaches, exhaustion, the aforementioned feeling of being jaded, all are signs that you need to rest!
Ever heard of the phrase “you can’t pour from an empty cup”? You can’t create at your highest level when your brain just wants a break.
So, how do we prevent burnout?
If you’re like me, you pretty much schedule every single part of your day. Why not schedule in something that helps you relax for a few minutes a day? I’m not just talking a lunch break where you sit and scroll through your phone for an hour. I’m talking an actual brain break. Go for a walk, read a book, grab some tea and a snack and sit outside (Vitamin D is VERY good for your mental health!) Find a hobby that has absolutely nothing to do with your occupation. For example, as a musician, I love to be creative but, I don’t always want to fiddle around on my guitar or piano. So instead, I do a puzzle or color! It’s stimulating enough that I feel like I’m still accomplishing something but, it’s an activity that’s just for me to enjoy that I don’t feel pressured to do.
Some non-stimulating activities you can do to help relax are meditation, massage, a relaxing skin care routine, and even napping.
“No.”
You can also start saying the word “no.” I know! I know! It’s super difficult because we’ve been taught our entire lives to say yes to every opportunity that comes our way because you never know what will come from it or, if you say no, maybe it will never come again. The thing is, while those statements are partially true, it’s also important to think through why you’re saying yes or no. Does the opportunity benefit you enough to take up your valuable time? (See: Gerard Longo’s previous post) You don’t necessarily have to flatly tell people no, either. You can say “Thank you so much for thinking of me but I am unavailable for that!” Or, “I’m already booked!” Whether you are actually already booked with another gig or, you’re booked with yourself doesn’t matter.
The moral of the story is, it’s OK to prioritize your mental health and self-care so your creativity doesn’t suffer.
Your art is important. Your music is important. Let your brain rest, let yourself rest, and the music will improve once you do!