We’re constantly navigating external pressures that impact how we feel, how much we give, and how much we have left to give. But here’s the important part: Burnout doesn’t have to be the end. While some factors might be out of our control, there are ways we can reclaim our energy, happiness, and joy.

Burnout is real, and it affects more people than we realize. It can be especially tough for people who are driven, passionate, and always giving their best. If this resonates with you, remember: you’re not alone, and there’s no shame in acknowledging it. Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a signal that your body and mind need rest, realignment, and support.

As writers juggling day jobs, family life, and self-care, burnout can sneak up faster than a snowmageddon-style blizzard in February. In this post, I'm sharing the common pitfalls that drain our creative energy, and the practical strategies I've learned to keep the writing flame alive without burning out.

Turns out, it’s not just writers who benefit from taking time to be creative. A Drexel University pilot study found coloring, doodling, and free drawing activate the reward pathways of the brain, which can help improve mental health and creativity for lots of folks.

For me, planning a successful vacation means identifying what’s important to me and my husband, choosing our priorities, and making sure we have time along the way to actually process and enjoy what we are seeing and doing instead of rushing from one thing to the next.

There are certain things we can’t change, or maybe we don’t see how we can right now. But maybe there’s ways we can sneak a little sensory awareness into our day — and reap some amazing wellness benefits as a result.