Feeling Copywriter Burnout? Here are 7 Heartful Ways To Recreate the Spark

Copywriter burnout is a common feeling among writers who are constantly working on projects and deadlines. It can be easy to lose your passion for writing when you’re constantly under pressure. Copywriter burnout can be described as a feeling of being physically and mentally exhausted, mentally fed up, and blocked out, even when faced with a light workload.

It’s like feeling like the soul has been sucked out of you, as if you’re operating on just 5% battery for extended periods of time and trying to push through anyway. This work-related stress can be overwhelming, making it feel like you have homework to do every day for the rest of your life, as David Duchovny said on Californication.

According to our 2022 State of the Creator Economy report, 61% of surveyed creators reported experiencing burnout over the last year. In this blog, we will explore five heartful ways to recreate the spark and combat creative burnout.

Before we address the problem of burnout, we have to get closer to it, understand the feeling intimately in all its manifestations, its mechanism , and how to identify it. So let’s start by defining what burnout really means:

The word “burnout” comes from the French verb brûler (to burn). It was first used in 1894 in reference to an industrial accident where workers were exposed to toxic fumes. The term then evolved into describing a state of exhaustion or mental fatigue caused by prolonged exposure to stressful situations.

Where Does Burnout Come From?

Burnout comes from feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and unappreciated. And when we’re burned out, our work suffers. We become distracted, forgetful, and careless. Our performance drops, and we lose motivation. How exactly does burnout show up in our work lives? 

• Lack of defined creative departments in companies: In many companies, copywriters are expected to deliver words on a factory line with no support or guidance from a dedicated creative department. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty about the roles and responsibilities of the copywriter, which can contribute to burnout.
• Role conflict and role ambiguity: When a copywriter is expected to perform multiple roles or is unclear about what is expected of them, this can lead to role conflict and role ambiguity. This can cause stress and frustration, which can contribute to burnout.
• Long-term stress and frustration caused by strain in daily life: The daily pressures of work and personal life can cause long-term stress and frustration, which can exacerbate burnout. When a person feels overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities, this can lead to a sense of burnout.
• Monotonous work: Writing the same old content over and over again can be monotonous and unfulfilling. This can lead to burnout if a copywriter is unable to find meaning and purpose in their work.
• Pressure to craft a unique tone of voice for multiple businesses: Copywriters may be expected to craft a unique tone of voice for multiple businesses, which can be challenging and time-consuming. This pressure can lead to burnout if a copywriter is unable to keep up with the demands of their clients.
• Constant demands from clients: Dealing with demanding clients on a regular basis can be exhausting and frustrating. This can lead to burnout if a copywriter cannot manage the expectations of their clients.
• Never-ending workload: The constant pressure to produce content can lead to a never-ending workload. This can be overwhelming and can contribute to burnout.
• Pressure to work while on vacation: Many freelancers report feeling pressure to work while on vacation, even when they are supposed to be taking time off. This can lead to burnout if a copywriter is unable to disconnect from work and recharge.
• “Your business = you” equation leading to burnout: When a person’s entire sense of self is tied up in their work, this can lead to burnout if they are unable to meet the constant demands placed on them. This “your business = you” equation can be harmful if it leads to a loss of personal identity and burnout.

Burnout can show up in different ways depending on the person and their situation. Some common signs of burnout include feeling exhausted and drained, losing interest and motivation in work, feeling detached and cynical, and experiencing a decline in performance and productivity. Other symptoms of burnout can include sleep disorders, changes in appetite, irritability and mood swings, and physical health problems such as headaches, stomach issues, and a weakened immune system. In severe cases, burnout can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

7 Proven Strategies to Overcome Burnout

The following section offers practical solutions for those who aim for healing from burnout and implement effective burnout management strategies. These strategies are designed to help prevent burnout and manage its symptoms, allowing individuals to regain control of their lives and thrive in their careers. By implementing these proven strategies, individuals can take an active role in their own burnout prevention and recovery, enabling them to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

1. Switch to a different job

Switching to a different job can help copywriters overcome burnout. A new role in marketing communications could provide a fresh challenge and a new perspective. Moving into a more strategic position, such as a marketing manager or content director, could provide control over the content produced and a sense of fulfillment. In-house positions with a single company can provide relief from the pressure of multiple accounts. Finding new challenges and opportunities can provide meaning and fulfillment, leading to improved mental health and a reduction in burnout symptoms.

2. Compound your creative output

To overcome creative burnout, you can compound your creative output by getting smarter with your work. This can involve looking for ways to reuse and recycle your work, such as by refactoring finished pieces to create templates or checklists that can be used in future projects. For example, after completing a landing page, you could clip out the structure and use it as a template for future pages. By doing this, you can save time and effort, freeing up extra time for the artistic process.

Another way to compound creative output is to save successful elements of past projects in a “swipe file” for future reference. For example, if an email with a particular subject line has been successful, you could save the formula and use it in future emails. This can help to streamline the creative process, allowing you to focus on the core elements of your work without getting bogged down in the details.

Overall, by compounding your creative output, you can overcome creative burnout by finding ways to reuse and recycle your work, saving time and effort and allowing you to focus on the artistic process.

3. Rest and Recover

To overcome creative burnout and rediscover your spark, you can take plenty of rest and invest in your sleep and recovery. This can involve cutting back on non-work related activities and prioritizing quality sleep as an antidote to burnout. At work, you should schedule breaks to allow for rest and relaxation. Taking a vacation, if possible, can also be beneficial in providing a complete break from work and allowing the mind and body to recover.

When resting, it is important to completely forget about work and do something enjoyable. This could involve activities such as having a massage, playing a sport, going out with friends, reading books, or cooking for family. By doing this, you can recharge your batteries and return to work with a renewed sense of energy and motivation.

Overall, taking plenty of rest and investing in sleep and recovery can be an effective way for you to overcome creative burnout and rediscover your spark. By prioritizing rest and relaxation, you can recharge your batteries and return to work refreshed and ready to tackle new challenges.

4. Workouts, exercise and more

Turning into your body and taking care of it will also help prevent and recover from burnouts. Exercise can improve your mood, boost your confidence, and increase productivity. It can also reduce stress levels and help you cope with negative emotions.

Here are some ways to get started: 

Incorporate physical exercise into your daily routine. This can be as simple as going for a 30-minute walk or jog in the morning before work, or trying a more intense cardio workout for a quick zen boost.

Consider trying yoga or other mindful movement practices, such as pranayama (breathing exercises) to help de-stress and clear your mind.

Take some time for yourself each day to meditate or do other activities that help you relax and unwind. This could be as simple as taking a few minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breath, or trying a more structured meditation practice.

Try to spend at least one hour per day outdoors, whether that means going for a walk, hiking, or just sitting and enjoying the fresh air. This can help to break up the monotony of your daily routine and give you a much-needed mental break.

Here are some sample exercises and popular meditations that can help you de-stress and rediscover your spark:

• Cardio exercise: Going for a run, cycling, or doing a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout can help to clear your mind and boost your mood.
• Yoga: Try a gentle flow or yin yoga class to help you relax and unwind.
• Pranayama: Take some time to focus on your breath and try some simple breathing exercises, such as alternate nostril breathing or belly breathing.
• Walking: Going for a walk can be a great way to clear your head and get some fresh air. Try to walk at a comfortable pace and focus on the sensations in your body as you move.
• Meditation: There are many different types of meditation, but some popular options include mindfulness meditation, where you focus on the present moment without judgment, and loving-kindness meditation, where you focus on sending love and compassion to yourself and others.

By incorporating some of these activities into your daily routine, you can help to overcome creative burnout and rediscover your spark as a copywriter.

5. Embrace Fixed-Schedule Productivity

As a copywriter, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and burnout when faced with too many deadlines and demanding clients. One way to overcome this is to embrace Fixed-Schedule Productivity, which involves taking control of your time and protecting your schedule to ensure that you have enough time to focus on your writing and avoid burnout.

Here are some steps to try:

1. Plan your week or at least the day ahead and set aside dedicated writing hours each day. This will give you a clear sense of what needs to be done and help you avoid over-committing to too many projects.
2. Negotiate with clients and managers if they give you more work than you can handle. Don’t be afraid to tell them that you can’t take on any more work without sacrificing the quality of your writing. This will show them that you are professional and sincere, and they will respect you for it.
3. Be selective about the clients you work with. If you find that a client is consistently giving you too much work, or if they are difficult to work with, consider letting them go. This will free up more time for you to focus on your writing and will also reduce your stress levels.
4. Take breaks and disconnect from social media and other distractions during your dedicated writing hours. This will help you to stay focused and avoid burnout.
5. Have confidence in your abilities as a writer. Remember that you are good at what you do, and that you have a lot to offer. This will help you to stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed by challenging clients or difficult projects.

By embracing Fixed-Schedule Productivity and taking control of your time, you can overcome creative burnout and rediscover your spark as a copywriter.

6. Outsource and Reclaim Your Life

As a copywriter, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and burnout when faced with too many deadlines and demanding clients. One way to overcome this is to consider outsourcing parts of your work to other copywriters, content writers, or researchers.

Here are some steps to try:

1. Research and find world-class copywriters, content writers, and researchers who fit your budget and needs. There are many talented writers out there who can help you to create high-quality content, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for their help.
2. Consider outsourcing entire projects or just parts of your work, depending on your needs and the preferences of your clients or manager. For example, you could outsource the research phase of a project, or you could hire a copywriter to help you with the editing and proofreading.
3. If you are working for a company or agency, talk to your manager about the possibility of hiring an additional resource to help you with your workload. They may be willing to give you the support you need to avoid burnout and maintain your productivity.
4. Consider partnering with other business owners or freelancers who can help you to grow your business and take on more work. This will allow you to share the workload and avoid becoming overwhelmed by too many projects.

By outsourcing parts of your work, you can overcome creative burnout and rediscover your spark as a copywriter. This will also give you more time to focus on the tasks that you enjoy and are good at, and will help you to maintain your productivity and creativity.

7. How Celebrating Your Accomplishments Can Help You Overcome Creative Burnout

As a copywriter, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and burnout when faced with too many deadlines and demanding clients. One way to overcome this is to make your accomplishments, however small, visible and celebrate them. This will help to boost your self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-confidence, which are all important for well-being and can help to prevent burnout.

Here are some steps to try:

1. Keep a journal or record of your accomplishments, no matter how small. This can include ideas that you had, articles or blogs that you wrote, or feedback that you received from clients. This will act as proof of your skills and abilities and will help you to feel good about yourself.
2. At the end of each project, make a list of things that went well and things that could be improved in the future. This will help you to identify areas where you excelled and areas where you can improve, which will boost your self-confidence and make you feel more resilient towards new challenges.
3. Share your accomplishments with others. This could be as simple as posting about your latest article on social media, or sharing your feedback with a colleague or mentor. This will help you to feel more connected to others and will also provide validation and support for your work.

By making your accomplishments visible and celebrating them, you can overcome creative burnout and rediscover your spark as a copywriter. This will also help you to feel good about yourself and your abilities, which will make you more confident and resilient towards new challenges.

Conclusion

In conclusion, burnout is a common problem for many people, especially those who work in high-stress environments. It can leave you feeling emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and lacking in motivation. However, there are steps that you can take to overcome burnout and rediscover your spark. These include switching to a different job, embracing Fixed-Schedule Productivity, outsourcing parts of your work, and celebrating your accomplishments. By trying these strategies, you can reclaim your life and start enjoying your work again.