Creative Burnout is Real! Here’s How I Reset Without Losing My Spark

 

There’s a certain kind of pressure that comes with being a creative, especially in the digital space. It’s the expectation to constantly create, post, engage, and evolve all at once. But what happens when your creativity flatlines? When the spark that once lit up your world feels more like a flicker barely holding on?

I’ve been there. More than once. 

Burnout doesn’t always look like lying on the floor in total defeat (though it can). Sometimes, it looks like scrolling through inspiration boards for hours and feeling nothing. Or staring at a camera, a blank screen, a planner and feeling like a fraud because you have no ideas left to give. 

Here’s the truth I had to learn the hard way: burnout is not a flaw in your creativity, it’s a sign that your creativity needs rest.

Squats vs. Deadlifts: Why You Need Both in Your Routine

 

The Hydration Hack That Could Be Holding Back Your Fitness Goals

 

Morning Routines That Stick

 

Why You Should Add Collagen Peptides to Your Daily Routine & How to Make It Effortless

 

Biohacking for Health

 

Ever wish you had a way to make your body work smarter, not harder, for better health and wellness? That’s where biohacking comes in! Biohacking combines science-backed strategies and a little experimentation to help you optimize your body and mind. Think of it as a way to tap into your biology and elevate your wellness! Biohacking to better health is something that I’ve been working towards this past year and I’ll let you know how it’s been working out for me.

Hello 2019

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Here we are, smack dab into the new year of 2019. I couldn't be much happier that it's a new year, I have a lot of high expectations but only because 2018 was an interesting year. There were some lows, there were some highs, but after getting through the deeply emotional stuff, i'm much stronger now. I feel much more free with my feelings and mind coming into this new year, even though I got here with a few struggles and tears in tow because of reasons too personal to speak about in detail here. I'm happy to have gotten through them by being focused and in control of my own pursuit of happiness. My own happiness. The most important strength I have gained this year, is having control over what influences me from the outside. Not everyone around you is going to be a positive influence, thats just reality. There is anxiety, stress, frustrations, and judgements all within us all the time, unconsciously. Difference is in how we reflect these things on the outside, how we interpret them, and how we work to turn them around. This past year, I learned the hard way. It was difficult but it was also the best way for me, controlling my emotions through the tough situations. And if I couldn't control a situation coming at me from the outside, then it was is best for me to walk away or move on from the things that felt negative for me. Maturing is learning when drama is not needed in ones life, harping on negativity is never worth mulling over. 

Health Check

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Imagine this, your phone buzzes. It’s an email from your boss, in less than a minute, you’ve read and started to write a draft answer on the go and of course you're checking the time as you type. Indeed, I’ve got a busy schedule to keep up with, between work, the gym and your friends/ family. It’s fair to say that I don’t take the time to think twice before making a decision: time is a luxury after all! Here are a few tips on how I make the most of my time to enjoy more of "me" time!

Personal Essay #11

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Usually at the end of a year I go through my photos as a little mini review of the year I've had. One thing is consistent throughout the gallery, my hair. I'm always picking my hair out, manipulating it to reach the sky, forcing it to go high and bigger. No, I'm not a 70's kid, far from it but I have my influences, Angela Davis and Foxy Brown. My hair has always been my security blanket, I felt safe hiding behind my hair, like a nest for the introverted. It had a lot to do with my insecurities as a child,  mostly with the way I looked. Children will be children and point out and make fun of other children, often more than not I was one of the kids that would be pointed out. Most days my head felt too big, my hips too wide, my thighs too thick, my skin too dark, too ethnically ambiguous especially for a Dominican. Distinct memories of elementary school classmates that couldn't go a day without reminding me of the way I look still to this day, creep into my mind as I stare at myself in the mirror. 

Which Character Inspires You?

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

When it comes to television, I try not to get sucked into storylines, not because I hate tv but I just don't have time to get sucked into an entire synopsis. Most shows on tv require a deep dedication and devotion to fully understand the plot lines. Which is why I tend to catch snippets here and there of reality tv shows, news segments or my favorite choice of entertainment-on-the-go, podcasts. When you're a busy- body, taking time to sit down is quite a rarity. From working 40 hours a week plus the extra odd hours working on self endeavors, and making time to visit friends and family, it's no wonder I cut out television from my schedule. Occasionally there will be a series on tv that catches my attention and just draws me in to it, and funny enough most of those series are on one network, HBO.

Adulting

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I absolutely love fashion! Everything about it makes my mouth drool with enthusiasm, from the confidence it gives me, to the character I feel I can portray by just wearing a garment. Drooling over the season's latest trends are all fun and games but not for your wallet! Fashion week, or better known as "fashion month" to my my wallet is when I watch for what will be hot and seen everywhere so that I can adjust my wardrobe accordingly. Daydreaming about the days I can flaunt around in my ruffle trimmed knit pants and bubble shaped dress, but as soon as I wake of from my sartorial dream I realize that my finances cant permit a spending budget to keep up with everything that comes down the runway. Over time I've developed ways to stay fashionable and on trend and today i'm sharing my tricks for snagging that "of the moment" piece on a budget because adulting happens! 

Personal Essay #4

I've thought long and hard for a beautiful and witty poem to describe my deep affection with my favorite season of the year, Summer. But I had to throw the bucket in and admit that it just wasn't happening! I could tell you about the starlit night skies and fireflies buzzing by your face. I could also tell you about the sound of the ice cream truck driving down a city neighborhood, with little children eager to pick their flavor, or the ecstatic screams of adrenaline junkies on rollercoasters. Best of all, it's just summer time fun!

Papa Bear, Little Bear

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti, c. 2008

Everyone has a father, but sadly not everyone has a dad. I've been fortunate enough to have a dad through out every step in my life, first steps, first words, homework assignments, school dances, ballet lessons, driving lessons, first heartbreak and college. Like any other family, we've had our bad moments but it's taught me a lot to appreciate. 

Gym Formalities

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

It's the beginning of the year and much of the American public has resolved to induce more fitness into their lives. This time of the year, the flood gates are open and your gym is likely to be filled to capacity more than you are used to, which lately has been the case for the gym that I attend. I think it's wonderful that people are vowing to make fitness more of a habit into their lives, I want others to enjoy and see fitness the way I do. But of course, with this influx of gym members, you meet some of the rudest people who make you wonder how they go through life with out manners. Since I workout 5-6 days a week, I've learned how to avoid awkward interactions and mean mugs. Here are some of my tips to avoid being that annoying person in the gym!

Bag Lady

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I love clutches and small cross body bags, they allude a major appeal and cause no distraction to the ensemble. Smaller bags also get a lot of attention to detail... beads, gems, grommets, engraved hardware and the list can go on! As beautiful as they are they just are not conducive to a majority of women. In a clutch, where will I fit my comfortable flats or my sketchbook and drawing pencils? Most importantly, my quick, on the go beauty hack supplies?! 

Personal Essay #1

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I knew I was different. In grade school, all the kids would ask me and my brother what we "were" and because of my naive innocence I thought it was cool to be like everyone else. I'd answer with supreme confidence and say, "I'm a girl just like you, with a cool complexion and frizzy hair." That wasn't enough for them, they wanted more, they wanted to dig deeper and figure out what exactly made me, me.

Thanksgiving Appreciation

It's officially Thanksgiving, and as I put the finishing touches on a pretty decent attempt at a pumpkin pie, I can't help but reflect on all the things I am grateful for. This past year, has been the biggest emotional roller coaster for me, so many sad and unfortunate moments. If it had not been for the wonderful friends and family I have, I don't think that I would have handled it as gracefully as I have. Embrace Thanksgiving as an important reminder to extend thanks and gratitude to every day. 

El Artiste

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I've been extremely busy lately. I have been focusing a lot of my time on producing new art work for art exhibits. Earlier this year I made a promise to myself to expose my art as much as I can for 2014, It's safe to say I have been keeping up with that promise! 

Life Lately

Hello dear readers, I want to apologize for my lack of updates lately. As you know, life can be a wild roller coaster ride that takes you through many loops, highs and lows. Fortunately, I've been handed a lot of highs lately, that have been keeping me pretty busy. I've recently been creating a lot of art, although that might not sound like anything new to you! One of my NYE resolutions, from earlier this year was to participate in art exhibits and expose my brand even more than I have been. This Fall season, has proven just that!

Selfie

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

You ever wake up, pass your full length mirror and surprise yourself by what you see? I don't mean a big pimple or an unexpected scar but an elated revelation. In a world where taking self- portraits with our smart phones is instantaneous and prominent, it's quite easy to get lost in the world of narcissistic joy... or harmless trend? However you see it, I am actually quite intimidated by the thought of it! It isn't that I'm doubtful about my appearance, it's the realization that once something is posted online, it is out there for public elation.