Writing's on the Wall: Musician Burnout, Tips for Prioritizing your Wellbeing

Burnout is a prevalent in various professions worldwide, affecting a staggering 77% of workers, according to a survey conducted by Deloitte. As an educator, both as a freelance private flute and classroom teacher, I dealt with the depths of burnout firsthand.

Feeling burned out? It's okay to take a break and prioritize your mental well-being. Listen to your body and mind - they might be telling you to slow down and recharge. Remember, self-care is essential. #BurnoutAwareness

My goal in sharing my experience is to offer insights that may resonate with fellow educators, musicians, and professionals alike, sparking conversations on strategies for recovery.

My journey through burnout encompassed a spectrum of emotions and challenges. From grappling with feelings of inadequacy and the weight of unrealistic expectations to the relentless demands of juggling multiple responsibilities, burnout became an all-too-familiar feeling.

Long hours, coupled with the pressure to constantly exceed expectations, created a perfect storm for mental exhaustion. Moreover, the absence of support and recognition from superiors compounded the strain, leaving me feeling isolated and undervalued.

There is a saying “If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.” While that is a great way to go about starting your career, data shows that people who are passionate about their job also still experience burnout.

“87 percent of professionals surveyed say they have passion for their current job but 64 percent say they are frequently stressed, dispelling the myth that passionate employees are immune to stress or burnout.” (Fisher, Deloitte)

Data shows that burnout is a growing concern in our current age. People of all ages experience it in their own way, and because of that, each case of burnout should be approached on a person centered approach.

Everyone is going to feel different about burnout, some of my experiences may not be what others have felt. Which is why it is important to chat about this, with trusted people, mentors and even a therapist if needed.

While teaching may be a labor of love for many educators, it does not protect you from the ramification of burnout. These were a few ways I began to combat burnout.

• Setting realistic goals

• Manage workload (as much as you can)

• Self Care

• Variety in Teaching

• Professional Development

• Peer Support

• Mentorship

• Boundaries

• Rest and Breaks (at work and home)

• Creative Expression

• Delegate tasks when able

While this is not an exhaustive list, it helped me find my footing. If you are feeling burned out in your current position, I hope that you find ways to protect your mental health and to give your mind respite from the stressful moments. What are some ways that you find peace when dealing with work stress?

Sources:

Fisher, Jen. “Workplace Burnout Survey: Deloitte Us.” Deloitte United States, Deloitte, 24 Apr. 2020, www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/burnout-survey.html.

Wrightings on the Wall: Welcome to Authenticity

Hi!

Welcome to Wrightings on the Wall. My name is Jacob Wright and I am a flutist, educator and nonprofit Specialist.

You might be asking “Jacob, those titles seem a little random, what do they even have in common? Why are you telling us this?”

Well… That is kind of the point of this blog.

In general, I have discovered my skills and talents by spending time and energy working towards a goal. Wrighting (heh) and communication while growing up, was an area that I struggled with. Discussing my thoughts in an intelligent way and being able to communicate effectively, is still something that I continue to work on to this day.

The best way to get better at something is to practice!~

So this blog, is my way to practice. To use writing, a medium that has become one of my strengths in my career and practice speaking my mind. While this is practice, I hope to inspire people or at the very least, entertain through bad puns. I plan to share some of the things that I have discovered and worked through over the years in my personal and professional life, topics of interest, or just ways to communicate and it is something that you can gain experience from.

Which leads me to my first topic. Authenticity.

That’s a little vague, so let me elaborate.

Authenticity, to me, is trueness to the nature of your existence. While that can be picked apart in many ways, it is the ideal that I try to incorporate into my daily life.

• What is something that you cannot go without?

• What is something that makes you excited?

• What is something that you feel is intrinsically a part of your nature?

• What makes you, you?

For me, music was/is still a major aspect of my identity. Music was tied to the way I communicated for many years, it was where I met some of the most important people in my life, where I found my voice and confidence in my abilities. It was also where I had to learn boundaries, the importance of mental health, and how to separate your self worth from identity and career.

In my personal life, it meant being honest with my life direction, how I needed to be true to myself by ignoring societal expectations and being there for the people who care for me by allowing them into my life in different ways.

All of this to say, that the search for authenticity is an ongoing process and changes on the daily. I think for me, the goal is to find ways to be better than the person I was yesterday. Approaching each day as a new chance to be real and truer to my ideal self is what I strive for, even though I fall short. Fortunately, it gets easier and has led to growth.

If you’re still reading, maybe this is something that has resonated with you. Do you strive for authenticity? What are ways that you look to be truer to yourself?