Should I quit graphic design? Alternate careers for graphic designers? Graphic design burnout? If you’re typing any variations of these questions into Google, you might be at a point in your career that makes sense to pause and take stock of where you are. Even with the flashy title that has a little bit of social currency (whether we want to admit it or not), it’s not easy being a graphic designer. The hours are notoriously NOT conducive to work-life balance, the pay isn’t always what you deserve considering how much you work, and depending on your level of seniority, you may not be working on things that are creatively fulfilling or energizing. However, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion to quit your job when you clearly need rest and possibly a full reset. Here are 7 things to do when you have graphic design burnout:
1. If you are currently employed, stay in your job while you figure out what it is that you are truly feeling (if you can).
Every work environment is different, so depending on whether you are in a comfortable or toxic work situation, you may decide to keep or leave your job. But know that, typically, leaving your job will eventually cause an indefinite pause in regular paychecks. Be real with yourself on whether that makes sense for you right now. Assess your finances, your resources, and your true mental and emotional bandwidth. If you need to stay in a job you feel like you hate right now solely because you need to keep your paycheck, do your best, even if your best is a solid 3.5 out of 10.
2. Ask yourself what you are feeling. And do this everyday.
Is it dread every Monday morning? Is it dread every morning? Does your stomach have a sinking feeling every time you are asked what your career goals are during your 1×1 meetings with your manager? It may help to have a journal to jot down your thoughts because you will start to notice patterns and the frequency of certain feelings. You might also realize where there are simple solutions to make your life easier.
3. Go outside. Touch grass, as they say.
It may feel hard to step away from everything especially if you’re overwhelmed with work, but even if you go outside for 10 minutes by yourself, you are taking back that time that you might feel like you don’t have. This will be huge in the long run. Literally just get up. Don’t think about it. It’s only 10 minutes. Maybe go for a walk. Start with 5 minutes if you think 10 is too much. Do this daily.
4. Another one for the employed folks: take time off–use your PTO.
Same concept as taking 10 minutes to go outside by yourself. Give yourself a long weekend. You know you need it. Just take one day and put it near a weekend. Rest. You will think so much clearer with rest.
5. Try something new. Anything.
It can be something as small as a new recipe for breakfast. Or as big as going on a solo trip for the first time. Do something that isn’t graphic design. Choose something that sounds fun to you. Do it with people or do it by yourself.
6. At this point, you are now baking in more time for yourself. Continue to do this as much as you can. Set boundaries with work and build up time for yourself as much as you can with your current life.
For example, maybe you have a traditional 9-5, but people are usually hitting you up until 8pm. Establish boundaries and make yourself unavailable outside of working hours as much as your job will allow it. Get it as close to the actual 9-5 as possible. And take note if you absolutely have to answer those emails or finish that thing you were doing during the day outside of working hours.
This is about really establishing habitual time for yourself in your day-to-day life, establishing healthier boundaries with work, and making intentional time that isn’t filled with any other obligation or responsibility. Not even filling that time for yourself with exercise, doing morning or evening routines, or even doing research for a personal project. By not filling it with basic self-care and routines, you are giving yourself real time that you can use however you want to in the moment. You may want to do a 10 minute walk one day or you may want to veg out on your phone for 10 minutes straight the next day. The world is your oyster.
7. Now that you have as much time as you can manage to regularly have for yourself, think about your job–your title, what you are getting paid, the company that you work at or the clients that you work with, the work you are making, the amount of work-life balance that is possible in your current role, the path that you are on for growth. Are you happy?
It’s a simple question. But if it’s also a loaded question for you, pay attention to what you’re feeling. If the answer is complicated, ask yourself why. And if you come to the conclusion that you aren’t happy, maybe it’s time to switch things up.
Bottom line:
It’s frustrating to be in a deep state of burnout. And as a graphic designer, it’s very common to become burnt out frequently. The best thing that you can do for yourself is bake in more time for yourself. You think about your career as a whole only after you have given yourself space and rest. Graphic design burnout is a real thing. Sure, maybe switching careers might make sense for you, but you’ll have a better idea if that is right for you when you aren’t feeling the misery of burnout. While it can feel isolating and confusing to experience, it can offer a natural point of introspection, potential growth, or an opportunity to reset.