How to Avoid Burnout When Your Passion is Your Job

Jul 5

You got into this career because you loved it. Performing isn't just your job–it's an intrinsic part of who you are. Your love for your craft feels all-consuming and when it isn't going well, you feel like your whole life is falling apart. But what do you do when your passion becomes a source of stress? It's all too easy to accept overwhelming stress as an inevitable part of the theatre industry, but it can lead you down the path of burnout if left unchecked. Here are some actionable tips to help you avoid burnout so you can rediscover your passion.

Set Boundaries

When it comes to your passion, it's all too easy for the lines to become blurred between your personal and professional life. But one of the most crucial steps in avoiding burnout is setting clear boundaries between your professional and personal life.

I know so many performers (myself included) who have missed friends' birthday celebrations, lunches with partners, and put off holidays, all for the sake of an audition for a job they ended up not booking. These may seem like small things in the moment, but these disappointments add up and lead to resentment over time.

A great way to practice setting boundaries between your personal and professional life is to schedule down time into your calendar, and make sure to stick to it. This could be as small as setting one evening aside each week to catch up with friends, or as big as planning an international getaway. Setting boundaries helps ensure you have time to recharge and prevents your career from becoming a source of resentment.

Prioritise Self-Care

The term self-care gets thrown around a lot, especially around social media influencer circles. The term itself almost automatically elicits an eye-roll among those of us who consider ourselves practical and pragmatic. But self-care is not a luxury; it's a necessity, especially for performers. Your body and mind are your instruments, and taking care of them should be a top priority.

Try experimenting with forms of movement that allow you to enjoy moving your body for the sake of enjoyment, rather than achievement. Some examples are yoga, swimming, or a simple walk in the park. Additionally, focus on a balanced diet that fuels your body with a wide variety of nutrients. Your mental health is equally important. Try practicing mindfulness, meditation, or any activity that helps calm your mind and reduces stress.

Stay Connected with Loved Ones

Performers often have tunnel-vision and it can become all too easy to focus on nothing but our goals. But isolation can exacerbate feelings of burnout. Try to maintain a strong support network of friends, family, and fellow performers. These connections provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, which are vital in maintaining mental health. Share your struggles and successes with them. Sometimes, just talking about your experiences with someone you trust can make a huge difference in managing your stress and helping you feel less alone.

Diversify Your Interests

I know from experience how much time and energy it takes to make a living out of your craft, but having interests outside of your profession can provide a refreshing change of pace and perspective. Try to find hobbies that are unrelated to your work–maybe something you loved doing as a kid and forgot about. Whether it's painting, gardening, reading, or cooking, having diverse interests allows your mind to take a break from the constant focus on your career. This mental shift can make a huge difference to your creativity and energy.

Reflect and Reassess

Regularly take time to reflect on your career and personal life. Are you still passionate about your work? Are there aspects of your career that are causing unnecessary stress? Don't just keep throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks. If you are feeling burnt out, reassessing your goals and making adjustments can help keep your passion alive.

Separate the Task from the Objective

This tip comes from psychologist and researcher, Susan David. When you are feeling overwhelmed by the number of tasks you are doing, something that can be helpful is to ask yourself, "what is the objective I am trying to achieve?" And then assessing whether you can achieve that objective by either changing a task, or by doing less of the tasks you are already doing. For example, imagine that you currently find yourself overwhelmed by going to the gym 5 times a week. Upon reflection, you may realise that your objective is to improve your stamina. You may then decide that instead of going to the gym five times a week, you will commit to doing a 20-minute HIIT workout twice a week.

Avoiding burnout when your passion is your job requires a balanced approach and a commitment to your well-being. But with the right approach, you can maintain a healthy, sustainable career. Remember, your well-being is paramount to your success and longevity as a performer. Take care of yourself, so you can continue to bring your passion and talent to the stage for years to come.