Navigating Burnout in Music Journalism and Photography
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In chase for creativity, there is a fine line between inspiration and exhaustion. As the curator behind a music magazine that encourages music discovery, Palisade Weekly, the demands keeping up with an ever evolving scene often combines with the pressure to capture its essence through visual storytelling, and sometimes mixing the two companies together leads to burnout.
The life of a music journalist and photographer is filled with thrilling aspects like discovery, tight deadlines and the excitement when you finally connect the artist to the listener. But that very thrill comes with a vicious cycle of content creation and the push to remain relevant in a very competitive industry, the very act of just creating something meaningful for the world can quickly become overwhelming.
Burnout is often viewed as a purely mental state, yet for those of us caught in the delicate balance between writing and photography, it's a multifaceted issue. The mind and the body become entangled in this constant state between creation and exhaustion. In music journalism, there is a pressure to stay ahead of the curve, to not only discover new talent but to also evaluate the emotions and goal of the artist and translate that into content for readers to enjoy and create a deeper understanding and connection with the artist. This can drain both mental clarity and emotional energy.
Similarly, photography demands an ongoing creative investment. Each composition, carries a piece of the photographer's perspective. When paired with the expectation to produce work consistently, the weight becomes certain. What once was a passion can begin to feel like an obligation, and I've seen many associates and competitors fall to this issue.
The problem arises not just from the workload but from an unspoken expectation to be constantly "on". The act of creation is supposed to feel organic, a conversation between the artist and the medium. Yet in an industry where visibility and engagement are directly tied to output, this becomes increasingly difficult.
When you're caught in a cycle of production, it's easy to lose sight of why you started in the first place. But the art of navigating burnout lies between passion and pause. It is vital to recognise that the well of creativity, no matter how deep, will eventually run dry if not replenished.
Taking time to disconnect from the hassle of deadlines and industry pressures allows space for genuine passion to reignite. There’s beauty in the quiet moments, the time spent reflecting or revisiting old records or galleries create moments where mental clarity is restored, and the creativity begins to flow without the weight of expectations.
Perhaps it's curating your own listening sessions that connect you to the music in its purest form, without the pressure from industry focus. Maybe it's taking a step back from the computer screen, leaving behind the search for the next up and coming artist, and allowing your camera to find its own way. When you create out of joy, rather than obligation, that is where true artistry lies.
As a platform creator, there’s an unspoken responsibility to show others the way. In the world of music journalism and photography, we are not just responsible for our own creative output, but also for the guidance we offer to others. It's easy to glamorise the hustle, the constant grind of discovery and production. Yet, it’s crucial to talk openly about the struggles that come with it.
By sharing your own experiences of burnout, and the tools you’ve used to navigate it, you offer others the permission to pause and to rediscover their own passion. Vulnerability in this space is a form of leadership, acknowledging that burnout is not a sign of weakness, but a natural consequence of loving what you do. It’s a reminder that we are all human, and even the most passionate creators need time to rest.
