*ICYMI: I STARTED A NEW SERIES CALLED #FML2018, IN WHICH I TAKE CONCRETE, NON-BUJO RELATED STEPS TO BEAT MY depression and anxiety. IN A MID-2018 POST, I’LL DECIDE WHETHER I’VE F*CKED MY LIFE OR FIXED MY LIFE.

I’ve been feeling fatigued and burnt out for the past two months. My work routine has sped up, what with a lot more projects and assignments coming in. Don’t get me wrong, I love writing for a living. But I just haven’t lived through my writing in a while. This creative block has caused me to neglect my bullet journal too.

I thought of creativity like the structure of a dam or water supply. It holds my creative resources—energy, inspiration, a stock of ideas, time. Each time I create something, I’m depleting from my resources. When a creative reservoir is depleted, artists end up burnt out.

So what happens when we, creatives, get burnt out? We feel miserable, lost, uninspired, lazy. We procrastinate more because we think we’ve “run out of creativity.” That’s not true. Creativity is an inherent gift, not a resource. We’ve simply run out of juice and need to refill.

It’s important not to force yourself to create more than you can. Creativity doesn’t come free, and that’s what many people don’t realize. I took the long weekend as a chance to refresh my mind and body. Retreating back to my element helped me relax away from the intoxicating energy of the city.

I sought to treat my burnout by refreshing my creative reservoir. It’s a process that involves these modules. Cocooning: avoiding outside interruptions that tamper with your energy. Exercise: it doesn’t have to be a workout, just immerse yourself in the action of creating, kind of like building up your creative muscle. Stimulation: gathering inspiration from your surroundings.

1. Disconnect for at least three days.

To avoid the heavier-than-humanly-possible traffic during the ASEAN Summit, my family went on a little road trip to Calatagan, Batangas for the five-day weekend. We chanced upon Ybonita Farm and Villas, this beautiful and quaint property a few minutes’ drive from the beach.

The best part? Zero signal. I’m not being sarcastic. The radio silence was such a welcome break from all the online triggers and inbox stress. No interruptions, no distractions. Just bonding with good company and with nature.

Also have a drink. It’s good for you.

2. Get some sun and expose yourself to nature.

Take a break from the pollution. Get out of town. Breathe the fresh air. I left my cigarettes at home on purpose to give my lungs a break. And it was great. I also recharged my crystals by giving them a sun bath and a run under flowing fresh water from the earth.

3. Create without thinking.

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We brought an entire suitcase of coloring books and markers to the farm. The owner, Yvonne, and her daughters, Olivia and Monique, were so entertained when they saw all our coloring materials! I love coloring books. Not only is it reminiscent of my childhood, but it’s also a tried and tested form of creative therapy. I don’t have to think of what to draw. Or how to fill up a blank page. All I need is a page that speaks to me and a color scheme featuring my favorite shades.

The act of coloring is the body’s way of adapting to the brain’s need to fill up blank spaces. The muscle memory of swiping color onto a defined space helps with the creative fatigue. You’re being creative but at the bare minimum, but it’s still equally rewarding because you see a finished page that you’ve customized for yourself alone. It’s also a great exercise to practice color theory and blending techniques.

4. Read a book.

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And I mean a good book. Something that echoes what you want to create. Something that challenges your way of thinking. Maybe even go back to a book you loved in your childhood. You’ll find little details and big realizations that you never noticed in the past. It shows how much you’ve grown, but the love for a classic never falters. After rereading the Harry Potter series, I remembered how I used to see magic everywhere I went.

Over the weekend, I lugged around three novels of different genres. And I finished all three books in four days. Expose yourself to books of differing voices, tones, themes. Books don’t just give us knowledge and inspiration. They show us new ways of looking at the world.

5. Make lists.

Remember what makes you passionate to create. I made a list of passion projects I want to do when I have the time. These could be painting or illustration ideas, concept art, doodles you’ll flesh out in the future. Or a story you want to pursue, a plot point you want to expand, a subject you want to research. Make a list of things that inspire you: sounds you can listen to all day, colors you love seeing, books you want to read, artworks you look up to.

If you’ve listed passion projects, don’t feel pressured to get these done right away, especially if you don’t have resources. Keep the list in your journal or planner. I made a bullet journal entry just for this. It helps to remember that there are things you want to make for yourself that you’re not obligated to present to other people.

All in all, remember that nothing can take your creativity and artistry away from you. Not even the stress of working or studying. When you create something, it’s important to refresh your mind right after. Art can be tiring, but when you approach it right, it’s so much more rewarding.

Thanks for reading my story! And thank you Tita Yvonne, Tito Henry, Monique, Patrick, and Olivia for letting us stay in your beautiful home.