Hey y’all!
I've hit a creative slump these past few weeks, and y’all, the creative block is REAL! After remixing and producing at a rapid pace for a while, I've slightly burnt myself out creatively. This burnout pushed me to find new ways to get out of that headspace. Going through this process inspired me to dedicate this week's blog to managing burnout in such a fast-paced industry.
Trinity Wohlfherd’s Take on Managing Burnout
On that fabulous note, I chatted with Engineer Trinity Wohlfherd (Megan The Stallion, Shenseea, LISA) to get her take on the matter.
I asked her: “How do you maintain creativity and avoid artistic burnout in such a fast paced and demanding field?”
She said: “Personally, one way I maintain creativity and avoid burnout is by JUST getting the ideas down. I’ll start working on something with the mindset that I don’t have to finish it right then and there. Which took me years to be able to do because I used to hate starting and not finishing it or getting a large chunk of it done. I used to want to work on a project but didn't have hours to invest on it after a long session so I would put it off to when I had time which sometimes never came. So I tell myself to get the idea down and I can come back to it at a better time. Whether that's writing down lyrics and laying out the structure or downloading samples and importing them into a session. This works best for me and then I’m thinking of other creative ideas I can put in the project throughout the day. When I force myself to work on something even though I’m already exhausted, that's when I start to feel burnt out and I try to avoid that if possible.
For production, I’m a big fan of using the Splice mobile app. When I step out of session to have lunch, waiting for a client to arrive, or laying in bed I can find samples I like and use the “stack feature” to get some layers added to it and export it to Ableton to work on later. I can get a few songs and ideas out in a few minutes that way and it keeps me thinking about the creativity of production when I’m working my main job as an engineer and assistant which is more technical. When I have time, then I'll redo the strings or loops Splice suggested that I'm Producing helps refresh my creative palate day to day.
When it comes to mixing I force myself to get the ground work done (importing, labeling, coloring, rough balance) as soon as I receive the session if I’m able to. I’ll work more on it if I can but I prefer to work in my creative window if possible and I want to capitalize on that time being creative not on the technical “boring” stuff. My creative window is in the morning after I have my coffee and do some reading on my patio. I collect my thoughts and think through how I’m going to drive into the mix. I’m more focused and get more done in 2 hours that way than when I’m not feeling it and forcing myself to work. It's when I enjoy working the most so I’m more happy and burnout isn't affecting me then. Of course if you have deadlines then it’s a different story but again just starting the project cuts out on a lot of stress.
The Importance of Connections
"Talking to people and making new connections is another way I maintain creativity. In conversations you can bounce around ideas and learn new techniques to implement in your work. When it comes to the studio life, everyone is trying to navigate the fast paced environment and handling burn out. Hearing stories about one's career and journey can be inspiring. It's a reminder like “ok I’m on the right path just keep going”. It's refreshing to meet like minded people, it's a good reminder to be grateful because at the end of the day we get to do what we are passionate about for a living."
Maintaining the Right Mindset
"Lastly, I think maintaining the right mindset is important. At the end of the day, I and or we do what we love as a job and I’m forever grateful for that. Whenever I get tired, stressed, or burnt out I remember how much I worked to get here and quitting isn’t an option. Usually people burnout and quit when they don't have a clear “why” and weren't in it for the right reasons in the first place. I’ve seen a lot of people work really hard to get an opportunity then realize the work and hours it takes to grow and maintain and they quit. If you surround yourself with people who have the right mindset it's easier to keep pushing forward. So at the end of the day it’s all about mindset, making micro changes to your workflow, just starting ideas, and learning to control your mental when you're in a demanding situation so you don't crash and burn.”
Key Takeaways
I had a blast reading Trinity’s answer. I really love how she has systems and mechanisms that she can practically apply when the burnout hits.
The biggest takeaways for me were:
1) Talking to people and making new connections as a way to maintain creativity.
This never honesty never dawned on me before, as obvious as it may seem. It has really inspired me to take initiative and chat with other creatives in a more intentional way and focused way. Getting out there to learn new techniques and gaining a fresh perspective is such an underrated and slay approach to beating the burnout!
2) Intentionally maintaining the right mindset.
I absolutely love this concept and how Trinity delivered it in her answer because it highlights something we all have the power to influence, no matter the creative burnout we're experiencing. This ties into the first point as well—it's really about being self-aware, taking initiative, and taking action rather than giving in to the not slay creative burnout. By actively choosing to create connections and get a fresh perspective, we can learn to reignite our passion and learn how we best work through burnout. This intentionality is uber empowering because it reminds us that we aren't powerless in the face of not slay burnout. Instead, we have the ability to shape our mindset and environment to support our creativity and well-being.
Thank you Trinity for such an awesome and insightful answer!
Catch y’all next week!