I’m Burning Out: What Do I Do?

Let’s be honest, writing is hard.

And when the passion that once fueled your fingers begins to flicker, burnout can hit fast and hard. I’ve been there, where every sentence feels forced and the creative well has run dry. If you’ve whispered to yourself lately, “I’m burning out,” know this: you’re not alone, and there are ways to bounce back.

Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or a content creator trying to keep up with the pace, burnout doesn’t mean you're broken, it just means you need to recalibrate.

Here are 10 practical ways to reset and rekindle your love for writing:

1. Acknowledge the Burnout

Don’t ignore the signs. Acknowledge what you’re feeling whether it is mental fog, lack of motivation, irritability, even physical exhaustion. Denial only deepens the rut.

2. Take a Real Break

Walk away from the keyboard. Literally. Take a day, a weekend, even a week to rest your brain. Engage in activities that require zero creativity, cook, hike, binge a series guilt-free. Give your brain some white space.

3. Write Something Just for You

Remove the pressure to produce or publish. Free-write in a journal, draft nonsense poetry, or scribble in a notebook with zero purpose. Writing just for you is deeply healing and re-centers your voice.

4. Set Micro Goals

Instead of “Finish the chapter,” try “Write 150 words.” Micro goals reduce overwhelm and help you regain control. Consistency, not volume, is the key when you’re rebuilding.

5. Change Your Scenery

Work from a coffee shop, a library, a park bench. New surroundings stimulate new ideas. Even just changing rooms in your house can help your brain shift gears.

6. Reconnect with Inspiration

Reread a favorite author. Listen to a podcast that makes you feel seen. Watch a documentary. Let other people’s creativity refill your own well.

7. Lean Into Structure or Walk Away From It

If you usually write free-form, try an outline. If you’re rigidly scheduled, try letting go. Sometimes burnout stems from either too much freedom or too much confinement.

8. Talk to Other Writers

Writers get it. A five-minute chat with a fellow creative can offer reassurance, validation, and even a brilliant tip or two. Writing doesn’t have to be so solitary.

9. Move Your Body

Burnout often lodges itself physically. Take a walk. Dance in your kitchen. Do a few stretches. Get out of your head and back into your body.

10. Remind Yourself Why You Write

Reconnect with your “why.” Was it to tell your story? Inspire change? Share knowledge? That purpose can reignite the flame more than any productivity hack.

Key Takeaways:

Burnout is normal so don’t beat yourself up.
Rest is not laziness. It’s a reset.
Small shifts in space, structure, or purpose can bring big results.
Writing is a long game. It’s okay to pause. You’re not quitting, you’re catching your breath.

If this resonated with you, share it with someone else in the struggle. Burnout may feel lonely, but it’s more common than you think. Let’s normalize taking a breath.