[Beatmaker] What should I be careful about in case of burnout?

When you’re in the midst of burnout, it’s easy to make impulsive decisions that you might regret later. Here are some key points to consider and avoid when you’re feeling overwhelmed, ensuring that you don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings.

1. Don’t Delete Your Channels or Work

• During burnout, you might feel the urge to delete your YouTube channel, SoundCloud account, or remove your music from streaming platforms. This is often driven by frustration or exhaustion and is rarely the best decision. Solution: Instead of deleting, consider making your accounts or content private for a while. Give yourself time to rest and gain perspective before making any permanent decisions. Always sleep on big decisions like this for a few days or even weeks.

2. Don’t Dismiss Your Past Work

• It’s common to look back at your older beats and feel they aren’t up to par, especially when you’re burnt out. You might be tempted to erase them, thinking they don’t represent your current abilities. Solution: Remember that these tracks show your growth as a producer. Even if you don’t like them anymore, they could still inspire others or remind you of where you came from. If you really can’t stand them, archive them rather than delete them.

3. Don’t Shut Down Your Social Media Accounts

• In moments of frustration, you might want to deactivate or delete your social media profiles. This could cut off valuable connections with fans, collaborators, and other creatives. Solution: Rather than deleting your accounts, take a break. Post a message to your followers explaining that you’re taking time off, or simply log out for a while. There’s no need to make drastic decisions about your online presence when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

4. Don’t Delete Important Files – Back Them Up

• Burnout can make you feel like wiping your hard drive clean or erasing old projects that you’re no longer excited about. However, deleting these files could result in losing valuable work forever. Solution: Always back up your projects and files. Even if you think you’ll never use them again, storing them on an external drive or cloud service means you can revisit them later when you have a fresh perspective.

5. Don’t Make Hasty Decisions

• Burnout can lead to drastic decisions like quitting music entirely or abandoning ongoing projects. These decisions are often made in moments of fatigue and regret can follow once you’ve had time to rest. Solution: Make a personal rule not to make any major decisions when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Take at least a week or two to step back and reflect before deciding to quit, delete, or shut down any aspect of your creative work.

6. Don’t Damage Relationships with Fans or Supporters

• When you’re burnt out, your frustration can spill over into how you interact with fans, collaborators, or your community. Negative responses or lashing out can harm relationships you’ve worked hard to build. Solution: If you’re feeling agitated, it’s best to step away from social media or communication channels for a while. Let people know you’re taking a break if necessary, and come back when you’re in a better headspace.

7. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself

• It’s common to feel like you’re not good enough or that your work is failing when you’re burned out. This self-doubt can spiral into negative thinking that makes the situation worse. Solution: Acknowledge that burnout happens to everyone, and it’s often just a signal that you need rest and a mental reset. Be kind to yourself and allow the time necessary for recovery without feeling guilty.

8. Don’t Abandon Music Entirely

• In the depths of burnout, you might feel like quitting music altogether. However, this is often a reflection of your temporary emotional state rather than a true desire to stop creating. Solution: If you need to step away from music production, that’s okay—but don’t make a final decision to quit. Take a break, engage in other activities, and give yourself permission to return when you’re ready. You might find that after some rest, your passion for music returns.

9. Avoid Making Economic Sacrifices

• When you’re not creating, financial stress can add to the pressure. You might feel like music isn’t worth it anymore, but making big economic changes (like selling your equipment or quitting your revenue streams) could be regrettable. Solution: Try to maintain your financial foundation. If needed, take on part-time work or explore other streams of income, but avoid making drastic changes to your music-related income or assets.

Conclusion:

Burnout is tough, but it’s usually a temporary phase. The key is not to make irreversible decisions when you’re in a vulnerable emotional state. Instead, take time to rest, reflect, and recover. Remember that stepping back doesn’t mean failure, and you’ll likely return with more clarity and a renewed sense of creativity.

By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate burnout without making permanent decisions that could hurt your creative journey in the long run.