Influencer Therapy - I burnt out.

Influencer Therapy - I burnt out.

No matter how small or large your social media presence may be, I can confidently say that creator burnout is normal.

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Whether you are focusing on the growth stages of just one account or juggling a full-formed account with a large following, it still takes a lot of time and effort. On top of that, you may even be dividing your energy between a full-time job, family duties, and other aspects of personal life. Let’s be real - social media is not a piece of cake. We are all juggling between our online presence and real life. It is totally natural to go through creator burnout.
Take it from me. I just experienced a case of burnout. After spending almost an entire month abroad in Europe focusing on creating epic content while simultaneously launching the Full-Time Influencer course, I found myself mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. So much so that I even developed a feverish cold from being constantly on-the-go.

I allowed myself to take about two weeks off to relax and do things outside of my business and it was exactly what the doctor ordered. Now, I feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle my to-do list with a fresh state of mind.

You might be wondering - what exactly is creator burnout? To me, this is the phenomenon in which you go so hard at content creation and your online business that you end up feeling depleted and exhausted. In return, showing up daily and creating content feels like a chore. This can even be reflective in the content itself. This state of burnout also transcends any social media platform.

In this episode of the Full-Time Influencer podcast, I delve into the root of the cause and tips on how you can prevent or recover from creator burnout. Tap into some of the details below.

Why do we experience creator burnout?

1. The algorithm.

If you take an extended break from any social media platform, it often means you are not present and your audience may forget about you. No matter what social channel you are on, long-term breaks are not in favor with the algorithm because the platform itself relies heavily on audience retention.

2. The need to keep up the momentum.

Social media is all about periodical dopamine hits. For instance, if you experience a viral Reel, the numbers and increase in engagement propels you forward. You start to crave this vitality and feel the constant need to keep creating content. This leads to even greater exhaustion. It is important to remember that you do not always need to put out your best work to be a creator. In fact, it is unnatural to expect otherwise.

As lifestyle creators, we are continually sharing which means that oftentimes, we no longer have a true weekend. The fact of the matter is that hard work and hustle is really necessary to get that momentum going but once you achieve critical mass, your schedule can be more relaxed. Yet, if we slow down, this could mean less opportunities, less brand deals, and less income which is a lot of pressure as a creator.

This brings me to the Paradox of Permission. This is the idea that we do not need permission or capital to give us permission to start building our following. At the same, since we do not need permission from anyone, we often do not give ourselves permission to rest. This is the exact opposite of the traditional workforce. Whenever we do not work, we are not contributing to our own career and can often lead to feelings of guilt.

What are some potential solutions for burnout?

1. Take a break.

I usually allow myself to take 1 or 2 days off when I am feeling overwhelmed. In the past, this short break would fill me with anxiety but I realized that this is not the end of the world. When you show back up, you have more positive energy to bring back to your audience. Quite frankly, no one notices you are absent for just a few days! However, if you are focusing on building on your audience in the beginning, I would limit the amount of breaks you take to stay top of mind.

2. Find a sustainable format of content creation.

Consistency is the name of the game in this field so focus your energy on how you can continue to create content on a regular basis. For instance, evaluate the type of content that performs well for you and batch create similar work. As a bonus, this is also a good way to create a signature voice that your audience will remember you for.

3. Outsource as much as you can.

If it is a viable option to you, you can look into outsourcing some of your duties. Start by listing out all of the tasks that revolve around your business and rank it according to how much you enjoy it. From there, see if you can outsource some of these tasks to alleviate some pressure from your to-do list. This is the only way to get time and energy back.

4. When you shut off, shut off completely.
Admittedly, I am guilty of not doing this! But I encourage you to relax wholeheartedly so you can recharge and get energy back.

5. Prioritize your mental health.

Try rebalancing exercises such as meditation. Or you can even reach out to a therapist to help you maintain a calm mental space for tackling both work and personal life. In general, speaking to anyone who can understand can help you get your head in the right space. Personally, I feel more validated in my stress when seeking advice from my other creator friends.

6. Find joy in things that don’t exist online.

My online career consumed my entire life so I can grow my business faster. However, this means I expend all my energy towards my career. Over time, I realized I need to do things that live outside of work. When you get really sucked into the creator economy, you can feel engulfed in this so be sure to set aside time to explore other interests and hobbies.

If you are experiencing burnout, I urge you to find the right balance for you. Explore how you can make your social media journey more balanced so you can limit the amount of creator burnout.