The Truth About Burnout and How Creativity Can Heal You
- Jodie Chandler
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s spiritual disconnection.
It’s what happens when your soul whispers, “This isn’t sustainable,” and the world keeps shouting, “Just push through.”
We glorify the hustle and ignore the hollowness.
But there’s a deeper truth waiting to be heard: burnout isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a call to come home to yourself.
And creativity? That’s your way back.
The Real Cost of Burnout (It’s More Than Fatigue)
Burnout doesn’t always look like crashing into bed at 3PM or crying in the bathroom between Zoom calls.
Sometimes, it’s subtle.
You stop caring about the things you used to love.
Your spark dims.
You wake up feeling empty, like you’re performing a version of yourself instead of actually living.
If you’ve felt disconnected from your joy, your intuition, your inner voice—this is burnout, too.
And no planner, productivity hack, or extra hour of sleep will fix it if you’re not addressing the deeper need beneath the exhaustion: reconnection.
Creativity Is a Portal Back to Your Soul
When you're burned out, it’s not just your body that needs rest—it’s your spirit that craves expression.
Creativity is healing medicine.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or profitable. In fact, the best kind of creativity has no outcome other than truth.
Whether it’s journaling, dancing barefoot in your kitchen, or scribbling poems on napkins, creativity gives your soul a voice.
It allows your inner world to breathe again.
And when you let yourself create without pressure, you begin to reclaim something burnout tried to steal: your power.
Why You Don’t Need to “Earn” Rest or Inspiration
We’ve been conditioned to believe rest is a reward and creativity is a luxury.
But what if it’s the opposite?
What if rest is sacred?
What if creativity is your soul’s language?
You don’t need permission to slow down.
You don’t need a “good enough reason” to journal, sketch, sing, or daydream.
These are not distractions—they’re how you remember who you are beneath the performance.
Burnout says: “You’re not doing enough.”
Creativity says: “You are enough just as you are.”
Your Soul Already Knows What It Needs—You Just Need to Listen
The most powerful thing you can do right now isn’t to do more—it’s to tune in.
Ask yourself:
What expression has been longing to come through me?
Where have I been silencing my truth in order to survive?
What kind of journaling, art, or movement helps me feel like me again?
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve created a gentle, soul-guided quiz to help you reconnect.
Discover the sacred style of journaling your spirit is calling for—because healing doesn’t have to be hard.
Sometimes, it starts with a pen, a page, and the permission to just be.
