Creative industry has left me feeling burnt out
Hey all! Not entirely sure what I aim to get from this post - I am just feeling incredibly drained and would like to hear from others in similar positions.
I am a creative, always have been. Because of this, I chose to pursue a career in graphic design. After working in several agencies and in-house roles, I find my spark for creating has vanished. I certainly think mental health has played a role, but I cannot shake this feeling that working in the industry has truly destroyed my soul and crushed any whimsical creativity out of me. Everyone assumes working in this field allows us to be creative. Often that is true, but in my experience, it has had an opposite effect. I find myself constricted by rules and habits I have picked up over the years.
I am desperately trying to find a way to get my spark back. I have an intense itch to create, but I feel like I am being held hostage by industry standards.
I am at a point where I am seriously considering if I even want to continue in this field. I just feel drained and dead inside. Which really sucks when you have a desire to make, but I simply cannot expend any more energy or time on design given the workload I already have.
I have some personal side projects in mind, some of which I have attempted to start. But again, spending 8 hours designing shit that is not fulfilling to me, makes it very difficult to find the inspiration when I get home in the evening.
Has anyone been in this position where they could break out of stiff rules and practices, or rather, separate work from personal life and projects? How to balance?
Desperately looking for ways to feel fulfilled in my creative work again.