Avoiding Burnout

Writing is a solitary profession. Oh, there's always the camaraderie you find in writing groups and email. But, more often than not, writers are alone with only the people in their heads or on the written page to keep them company. Ask any writer who has done this for a while and they'll tell you that burnout is more than the dreaded slump or a silent muse; burnout is debilitating and can sometimes be dangerous.

Here are some signs to look for and things to do in order to avoid getting to that point.

*Unusual sleep patterns: Sleep too much or too little. Wake up at odd hours. Never feel refreshed even after a "good night's rest."

This is usually one of the earliestsigns that something is not right. Try and figure out what it is. Journaling often helps...ask yourself questions and don't stop until you find the answers! Sometimes it's as simple as needing more exercise or better eating habits. Sometimes it's as serious as physical, mental, marital or financial problems.

Whatever you discover, take steps to address the problems then leave them alone!

Remember, God is in control and He doesn't need your help. He may require a sacrifice from you and will definitely require your obedience, beyond that He only wants/needs your trust.

*Lack of Concentration: You sit at the computer and nothing gels; the muse is silent; leaving you to your own devices which seem to have deserted you also. You try to be disciplined but it's impossible as your mind scatters in a million different directions.

It's time to take a break; a hot bath, a walk, read a book, watch your favorite TV show(s), clean out the closet, scrub the floor, something! Just get away from the writing for a little while.

*Boredom: You're bored with everything; writing, reading, TV, life. Can't seem to focus on any one thing. It's time to take a break and refocus. Prayer usually helps, but here are some other ideas:

* Journaling: write down your feelings; try to figure out what the real problem is. Have you just received another rejection? Are work, kids, family or church obligations robbing you of writing time? Remember, writing doesn't always mean sitting at the computer, pounding away at the keyboard. Writing is a state of mind. Journaling will help you figure out your internal conflict and work out the solution.

* Write Something Unusual: A short story, article, essay, anything out of the ordinary. Sometimes this is all it takes to get the creative juices flowing.

* Take a break; a hot bath, a walk, read a book, watch your favorite TV show(s), clean out the closet, scrub the floor, something! Just get away from the writing for a little while

*Lack of Energy: You just can't summon the creative spirit within you much less the physical fortitude to sit down and write.

It's time to take a break; a hot bath, a walk, read a book, watch your favorite TV show(s), clean out the closet, scrub the floor, something! Just get away from the writing for a little while

Sound familiar?

Taking a break at the early signs often helps you avoid the inevitable.

*Anxiety: A pesky little voice keeps telling you things like: you're wasting your time, you'll never be good enough, and you'll never make the deadline...

Anxiety combined with any of the other symptoms mentioned can be a dangerous thing, often leading to writers quitting for good. Prayer and mediation often helps quiet the negative voice within, making room for the positive, uplifting One that's waiting to guide you.

*Fatigue: This is different from lack of energy. I'm talking soul-weary, bone-deep, mind-numbing exhaustion.

This is often the first sign of more serious problems. Now it's more important than ever to take that break! Give yourself permission to get away, not just for an hour or a day, but a week or two. Maybe a month. It's okay! Unless you're on a deadline, the story won't leave you, the muse will come back and you will take up right where you left off.

If you are on a deadline, try to renegotiate it. Editors and agents know all too well the results of pushing beyond your limits. Sometimes all you need is a few days; a week at the most and everything will fall into place.

If the deadline can not be changed, then promise yourself a hiatus after you're finished. Do nothing in your "spare" time but write. Cancel all unnecessary appointments, engagements, promises. There's no sin or shame in explaining that you're on a deadline and under contract to meet it. Then take that break!

*Depression: You've ignored all the other symptoms and now nothing matters at all. You've done more than chase away the muse, hit more than the dreaded slump, you're at rock bottom; smack dab in a pit of despair unlike any you've ever known.

Depression is usually a sign of deeper problems. It can be simple as distorted focus or as serious as loss of interest in everything...including life!

Sometimes it's a physical thing, more often a mental one. It's past time to take that break you should have taken weeks or months ago. It's time to seek help. This doesn't necessarily mean medical or psychiatric help, but some sort of assistance! Again, journaling might be the answer as well as prayer and meditation. If it is a physical issue, starting or resuming an exercise program will do wonders! Walking and stretching are two of the easiest, safest and most rewarding things a writer can do for him/her self.

*Apathy: Apathy way past depression and is never a good thing! This is the point where nothing and no one matters; family, friends, loved ones, life. This is the absolute lowest point a person can reach, and often leads to thoughts of suicide or worse.

Don't let this happen to you!

Again, it can be a mental issue or even a physical one. The area of the brain that signals pain doesn't differentiate between mental or physical pain, it just tells the body that something is hurting, secreting hormones and chemicals that need to be replenished, replaced and/or redirected.

This is the time to seek medical attention.

Anti-depressants today are often mild and non-habit forming. A scheduled regimen of low dosage medication is often all it takes for life to get back into focus and back on track.

But take that break and give yourself time to heal!

As you can see, burnout is serious and can have debilitating effects. The good news is, it can often be avoided. Taking preventative measures -proper diet, exercise, and rest- are the easiest and best ways to do so. Recognizing the symptoms and dealing with them early is another way.

Whatever you do, don't give up...on yourself, love, even writing, but more importantly don't give up on Life....it is too precious for that!