You Don’t Have to Do Everything to Be an Artist

Most artists are exhausted not because they lack passion—but because they’re trying to do too much without support.

🎨 Artist Burnout Self-Assessment

This is not a test. There are no wrong answers.

Instructions:

Read each statement and choose the option that feels most true **over the past 2–4 weeks**.

Use this scale:

* 0 = Not at all

* 1 = Occasionally

* 2 = Often

* 3 = Almost always

🧠 Emotional & Mental Energy

1. I feel mentally tired even when I haven’t been physically busy.

2. Thinking about my art feels overwhelming or heavy.

3. I feel pressure to create, but little desire to begin.

4. I feel irritable, numb, or emotionally flat around my work.

🎨 Relationship to Art & Creativity

5. I avoid the studio or creative space without a clear reason.

6. I struggle to finish work I’ve started.

7. Making art feels more like obligation than curiosity.

8. I feel disconnected from why I started creating in the first place.

⏳ Time, Pace & Pressure

9. I feel behind, regardless of how much I accomplish.

10. I compare myself to other artists and feel discouraged afterward.

11. I feel guilty when I rest or step away from my work.

12. My schedule feels unsustainable or constantly rushed.

🛌 Body & Nervous System

13. I feel physically tense, restless, or run-down.

14. I have trouble sleeping or fully relaxing.

15. I notice headaches, fatigue, or low energy more often than usual.

16. I feel “wired but tired.”

💬 Meaning & Motivation

17. I question whether my work matters.

18. I feel pressure to justify my art financially or socially.

19. I feel disconnected from joy, play, or experimentation.

20. I feel stuck between needing rest and needing progress.

🧾 Scoring (Gentle Interpretation)

Add up your total score.

0–15 | Steady but Stretched

You may be tired, but you’re not deeply burned out.

Small adjustments and intentional rest can help prevent burnout.

16–30 | Early Burnout Signals

Burnout may be developing.

Your system is asking for slower pace, clearer boundaries, and recovery time.

31–45 | Active Burnout

You’re likely in a burnout cycle.

Rest, reduced pressure, and gentle re-entry into creativity are important now.

46–60 | Deep Burnout

Your system is overloaded.

Prioritize rest, support, and nervous-system regulation before creative output.

Important: This is not a diagnosis.

If burnout is affecting your health, safety, or wellbeing, professional support is encouraged.

🌱 Reflection (Optional, but Helpful)

* What questions surprised me?

* Where do I feel the most strain?

* What would feel supportive right now—not productive?