How I deal with creative burnout and insecurity as an artist ♡ How to deal with burnout

If you lived through the same year and a half that I did, you're probably feeling incredibly burnt out. In this video, I want to share some tips for how I deal with creative burnout and insecurity as an artist and take the time to acknowledge what a lot of us are feeling.
We aren't art-making machines, and burnout/art block can make us (or at least it makes me) feel really negative about my art and insecure in my abilities. Nothing that I'm going to share in this video will cure that for you, but taking the time to treat yourself like a real person, and creating manageable expectations can go a long way towards feeling better.
Here's to making 2021 better than 2020.
☺ WHAT TO WATCH NEXT ☺
if you’re new to oil painting, start here: bit.ly/start-he...
non toxic oil painting: bit.ly/non-toxi...
behind the scenes / vlogs: bit.ly/bts-kels...
I deal with burnout and insecurity as an artist by doing one main thing: releasing myself from toxic productivity culture. If there's anything you get from this video, please just realize you're a human being and not a productivity machine.
☆ SOCIAL LINKS + CONTACT ☆
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website/portfolio: www.kelseyrodr...
email: [e-mail]
♡ MY EQUIPMENT ♡ referral links
My Filming Equipment: kit.co/kelseyr...
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro
Go-To Painting Supplies: kit.co/kelseyr...
Where I Get Painting Panels: bit.ly/3bXDHYj
Where I Get My Music: www.epidemicso...
☆ MUSIC ☆
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
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All other music courtesy of Epidemic Sound!
If you want to get royalty free music too, use my referral link to support me, at no extra cost to you: www.epidemicso...
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[@sabrinafountain1615]

Hi, Kelsey. I just want to let you know how much your videos have helped me. I'm currently balancing on a tightrope between sanity and a creative burnout, but also worrying about rent, food, bills etc. I've been a full-time artist for several months and holy shit it's been so hard. Your personality, art, and videos is like a glue that's keeping me together. And you constantly inspire me to put myself out there. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!

[@Cre8tive_Always]

My mom always tells me I'm harder on myself than anyone else is on me and I just kinda shrug it off like "well duh, as an artist you have to be." Not saying she's wrong, I have really high expectations for myself, it just means a lot more hearing it from another artist who feels my struggles. Thank you for sharing yours. In my mind if I don't push myself to improve, who will? In my mind even if I'm making visual progress I could always do better, if I'm not making art life is not worth living. If no one buys my art I must not be worthy, that kinda stuff. I've tied my art so closely to my self worth/identity that I forgot to take breaks and do other things. What helped me is the saying "progress not perfection".

[@manya.van.rensburg]

Sitting here crying as I watch this video…thank you so much for sharing your heart, experience and tips🙏🏻 I really needed to hear this.

[@Artistwithpurplehair]

I almost convinced myself that I'm over art. I still get excited when I'm around other artists, and I get excited about anything art related. But when I so much as think about picking up a brush or pencil, I immediately feel exhausted. I have drawn a few things but they're sometimes months apart. I want to do this amazing painting but I can't bring myself to do it.

[@vampurist]

I go through the same exact struggles and just refused to admit it, but hearing someone else who goes through the same thing made it much easier for me to motivate myself to improve

[@andreamoses2630]

Thank you so much for making this video, i broke my hand and had a hard time getting back into drawing and working. I appreciate finding your video... It helped me not feel so guilty about my progress. Thank you.

[@ChelsBlooms]

I’ve been having artist burnout for the past couple of days and I’ve tried everything to alleviate those symptoms and nothing had been working until I watched this video! Everything you’ve been feeling was completely parallel to how I’ve been feeling and it’s made me feel seen 🤍 I just changed my career direction to being a full time artist and I’ve put such high expectations on myself. I’ve been working nonstop for a month to open my own shop and website and I can literally feel a weight on my chest of insecurity and self doubt. The Imposter syndrome is so real. I hadn’t left my house in two weeks so I went on a picnic yesterday on my own and I can honestly say it didn’t help much but knowing this feeling won’t be forever, really does help. Knowing that I’m not going through these feelings alone gives me the courage to keep working at it too~ Thank you so much for making this video 🤍✨

[@ronchertakovsky2872]

I am like a fish out of water here.. just randomly came across this video as I grapple with my burnout. I'm not an artist; I am an engineer/chemist. My job entails creative thinking to where the science has a sort of artistic fashion to it. Probably what brings me to chemistry is that it truly is an art form. I just wanted to say that, in many ways, I relate to you. I am trying to reconnect with my abilities to design, develop, and implement. Thanks

[@Lainey.M]

New subscriber. Thank you, your videos are very relatable, comforting, and helpful. “Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be. The measure of a person-is how well they succeed at being who they are” So glad I found your channel!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Welcome to the community! I’m glad to have you here 🥰

[@expresslysoy8573]

I've been experiencing burnout for the last year or so. Made some cool art here and there but always felt so expended. For the first time I learned to really acknowledge the feelings that go through my head during the day and I've felt inspired to create for the sake of creating again. Less isolation and more nature changes the game. Love the video dude 💛

[@devernepersonal3636]

One thing that I like that you do so well is composition. This is something that used to come naturally to me, and since has been lost. So it impresses me how well you do with it. And yes to all those insecurities, I have them too, and I haven't really started anything. You are putting yourself out there and I think are better than you think you are. Especially relate to the wanting to be an art producing machine. my personal issue is that from the time i was a kid i went straight into making full drawings and coloring them. i NEVER did practice or excersizes. and now i am feeling that because now i NEED those to improve. I'm sorry what that person said, your feelings matter. i am sure your boyfriend and all the rest of us that care would tell ya that. i wish i could read that fast, maybe i would read then lol. thats impressive. my wishlist of what i want to do is as large as your to do list i think. We are feeling the same things. It's gonna be ok though, you'll find where you belong, and the great thing about this channel is it can be what you want it to be always.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

I definitely agree re:practicing, it’s so so tempting for me to dive straight into things, but that’s ineffective long term, and stifles growth, you’re absolutely right! And thank you so much for sticking with me and leaving all of your thoughtful comments, I really appreciate them!

[@sonjachisnall]

Your authenticity is beautiful and very relatable 💛 everyone is so uniquely different and you have the entrepreneurial spirit that some art machines do not!

[@hemaniscool]

Great video! I’ve been feeling burnout recently for a lot of the same reasons you mention. I’m working my way through it, finding things that help me feel better and get me back on the horse again. I always go back to my sketchbooks when I feel burnout. Just doodling and drawing for fun that I don’t have to post online gets me back to feeling like I enjoy drawing

[@livbishop3750]

Thank you Kelsey! Needed to hear this today. Also….. that psychiatrist is horrible!! I hope you continue seeking care with a different one. No one deserves to be invalidated like that…. Sending you love and light ❤️

[@Harigawa]

i can feel you, thank youu I'll try touching grass from now been so inconsistent in my art lately and this is thank you hope you're doing great this year

[@Benjizzy]

I know im 3yrs late to finding this, but ive been going through a really tough time as of late. I experinced really bad bullying at school, and it sapped me of my strength to get up in the morning, let alone creat art. As summer rolled around, i found myself slowly healing and trying to get back into it. Even now, so deep into summer, i still struggle with overcoming it. I produce so nuch art everyday, as if im trying to make up for the months i spent not creating. This video really helped me shed a new light on things. Im human, and humans need rest. I will definitely be going for a wallk today and playing some video games. You are a wonderful person and thank you so much for this video 🤍

[@trishamaeentusiasmojaca8240]

I just feel this kind of feeling on giving up on my passion. But all i think was disappointing my past self whose really inspired on making art

[@oliviadowney8764]

Wishing you everything that is good. You give so much to others and have already achieved hugely!

[@drawingwithpri]

Hey Kelsey, I have been binge-watching your videos this weekend and really enjoying them! You are such an inspiration! ❤

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Aw thank you Pri! Welcome to the community 💗

[@Adamfaraday]

I really appreciate this video. I’ve been struggling to write and it feels good to know I’m not alone.

[@mrcrobart]

I'm burnt out and this actually helps me a lot so thank you ! :)

[@kayskaht2052]

This was such a great video!!! ❤ I just found your channel and I’m so glad you made this! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Thank you!!!

[@thedaysideas]

Thank you for sharing 🙏 This helps me so much. Thank you. 🌷❤️

[@toomuchfandango]

I love the painting of the tomatoes you did in this video! Keep going!

[@milesbrown2261]

used to make games and spend so much time programming and making them back in highschool. after gradutating in 2018 i just got major burnout and haven't been able to sit myself down and make a game or even draw more than once in a blue moon. It's broken my heart and made me question my identtity as an artist. I've been kinda getting back into the swing of things by being a DnD DM and playing with my friends, but it's a far cry from what I wish I was doing especially when I see so many cool indie games being made by microscopic teams of people or singular individuals. I end up with major envy and sorrow about it because the last thing I made I didn't even fully finish and kinda abandoned.

[@flamebringeraspd1006]

I really love this channel now since i just had a burnout just a few hours ago but after watching this vid i really like it and i did it at last i drew something

[@sampancisco4931]

Thanks so much for sharing things like this. Im so happy to see content like this, there's more than there used to be but we can always use more!

[@ravenc234]

it’s weird i’ve had burnout for such a long time now like 5 months. i haven’t felt complete at all art has been such a big chapter in my life. no matter what i do it seems i never succeed in improvement and looking at my art depresses me it’s not as good as it used to be. i miss when the ideas would flow to me.

[@DeWaynesArtDreams]

you said "here in Alaska." I grew up in AK. I miss it.

[@narrowroadtraveler4167]

Great video currently in the art burn out right now Man I want to get back to work but I'm not feeling it for about 3 weeks art burn out I've been working on this one in particular painting mural for 2 years I finally got the proportion and everything complete in my head I just have to get out of this lazy phase it sucks

[@Zistheone2]

I’ve been struggling with burnout for the last few years., between the constant rejections, COVID ruining my plans in 2020, & seeing how every other artist in my circle is internet famous, I feel like I’m failing and falling behind. I want to keep going but I don’t know how to reach my goals I’m just so tired of not making any progress compared to everyone else 😑

[@notme4256]

Thank you so much this helped a lot 💕💕💕

[@chasethekt7864]

Wait omg do you also live in Alaska?!? I’ve never heard a lower 48er call it the lower 48, only other Alaskans! There’s so many good places to get nature references here, it’s a landscape artists dream!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

I used to! At the time of recording this I did, now I live in NYC! :) I really miss AK though :'(

[@by_andres_calderon]

Very very Interesting... I see, im satuared too... now i could recognize it i can see better why this social media "world competition" prrssure makes me feel unconfortable. I know from myself, i've never wanted to transform the hobby in an "entertainment machine", reasons why im in my own way, but in the end... can we say we areNOT cheating ourselves admiting we are in internet without looking for a success promise? Right now i want//im looking to returning to be confident with me, i have become invisible for a time, delete all my media to stay alone with my mind. confronting myself one more time and, actually, im winning. It feels liberating to have been found this channel. Thank you very much Kelsey

[@sanameticthoughts]

The last piece of art I created was in july of 2022. I have been burnt out since then. I am inspired all the time but the minute I try to create anything I go blank. I dont like what I make so i scrap it and gesso all over it. I dont feel good enough. I feel scared that I will never be an artist again. Feeling sad as I watch this video but also slightly hopeful. I've been trying to be an artist for so long but now I'm going to be a person.

[@1amnaso]

Needed to hear this

[@ivancabrera3289]

there's 2 main sentences my mind repeats me when Im burning out you're not good enough and you will never be good enough but I always saw those videos that says that we need to be strong and push trough yeah it never works for me I always ends up burning even more

[@iamsomeone8266]

fashion desogner here. I just dont like doing art anymore. I just wish i was never existed ngl. It sucks. I just wish i coild be bothered to do art. But, i can't. I dont want to ngl. I want to go study at fashion school in september but feel i wont get it. It is horrible. I dont like art, i jist want to quit forever. I will quit. I am never doig anything.

[@nickwatland3565]

I finally got a contract to be a songwriter with one of my favorite artist . Got a decent payment as a show of good faith also . Another one of my favorite singers just inboxed me vocal ideas over a instrumental I sent years ago. I still am so burned out . Honestly I feel like I just want to become a flag holder - save cash- workout- live in Thailand in the off season and fuck a ton of people.

[@randomtv5354]

💗💗💗

[@freakishchick182]

Thank you for sharing this and being so open about the struggle. I like your tips especially the one about enjoying other hobbies.