Avoiding Burnout
- leahrochellep
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
Avoiding burnout as an author with a regular fulltime job is no small feat. In fact, it often feels like another job all in itself. As someone who is also heavily involved in a local dog rescue (Warrior Dog Rescue for my other Minnesota peeps out there), I struggle to find free time or 'me' time amongst my responsibilities. It can be overwhelming at times, but I've found a few tricks that have helped me. I'll share those below in the hopes that they can help some of you as well!
Have a 'Cave Day' every so often
Cave Days are very important. What is a 'Cave Day' you ask? A Cave Day is what I refer to as a day where you treat your house (mainly the living room) like a safety cave and don't leave. I often order some DoorDash, watch The Lord of the Rings or another comfort movie, and maybe play the Sims. The main point is not doing anything productive or social. It's purely a relax and recharge lazy day!
Small, Attainable Goals
When it comes to writing, if you think about the whole story or the whole edit, or the overall word count goal, it can be very overwhelming. Especially if you're already experiencing writer's block or have a particularly busy schedule. Having small goals can keep you focused and give you the feeling of achieving those goals throughout the writing process. Often, before you know it, the story is finished!
Snuggle an Animal
It's scientifically proven that petting or cuddling a pet is a source of serotonin and a stress reliever. Big snuggles from Frodo or a litter of puppies at the rescue where I volunteer are in order when I'm feeling extra stressed.
Travel!
Personally, I get pretty restless if I haven't taken a trip in awhile. Travel is a huge part of my life and my personality, and a massive inspiration for my writing. A couple trips a year fill my cup with joy and inspiration. Sometimes getting out of your bubble and experiencing new things can help you reset, and inspire you in ways you never would have imagined!
If you try any of these and find that they work for you, please comment and let me know!
What am I reading right now? The Lovers by Rebekah Faubion.
I was at a Queer Book Fair in Minneapolis when one of the book covers caught me eye. I'd seen in on Instagram, colorful and distinctive artwork of two characters in a Tarot-esque frame. Because I tend to move every few years and moving books is a heavy nightmare, I rarely buy books anymore, preferring to utilize the library and only keep physical copies of my absolute favorites. But I couldn't resist the pull of the Joshua Tree filled dessert oasis on the front cover of The Lovers by Rebekah Faubion, so I decided on a whim to purchase it. I started reading this month while on a trip, and was sucked in right away!
The story follows Julia and Kit, two former best friends who shared a night of passion before abruptly losing touch. Ten years later, they are thrust together via work commitments. Their love story started with a Tarot reading, and Kit is professionally into Tarot. The marriage between Kit's mystic faith and Julia's forced rigidity lends a magnetic pull to their chemistry. I'm excited to see where the story takes them!
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