For the six years up to that point, I’d considered myself a songwriter and producer, not a business. Now the IRS was asking me to prove that I was a legitimate business entity.

Something important happens when we name overwhelming feelings of discomfort—whether it’s a mental health diagnosis, chronic illness diagnosis, or a fascist assault. Names stabilize, categorize, shape, and unmask chaos.  

The truth is: our paths, if we choose to embark on a truly creative journey as artists (and humans in general), should feel vulnerable. Our feeling of vulnerability is actually a sign that we’re doing it right. 

Burnout is a multifaceted state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It comes in three flavors: mild, moderate, and severe and it’s easier to prevent than recover from. Because burnout shows up differently for everyone, it can be hard to spot. But there are some telltale signs to look out for and the sooner we detect them, the sooner we can take action - before we crash.