I really appreciate that you didn't put music on the majority of this vlog. It felt like you were letting yourself work through this difficult time without making it aesthetic or falsely upbeat. I needed that pause to consider how I was doing, too. Thank you so much! I hope you feel better soon.

Can i just say i LOVE how Rocket really just listened to you and let you vent and was receptive of what you said (around 2:00-3:00). It really is very nice when someone doesn't try to force you out of that state, sometimes we just need to sit in it and talk about it and have someone there to just LISTEN and go with what we need to do in order to move forward. 10 cookies for Rocket for being such a rad human being

This felt really relatable. Like being okay with not being productive but needing to go outside and start moving to get out of that headspace. That's literally been me for months! Definitely looking towards brighter days! 💛💛

Girl, the fact that you filmed and edited this whole video while feeling burnt out and ‘not productive’ is crazy! Been going through something similar (moving, renovating a house for months, just waiting for burnout to happen basically) and just now after 1,5 month getting back to the studio to make things. Thanks for filming this. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

Thank you so much for sharing this. Since art isn’t my job and doesn’t pay my bills, I feel like this most of the time. It can feel hard to get in the head space to make art simply for the sake of making art. It’s weirdly comforting to know that this is a normal feeling, even for full time artists. I’m sure you’ll get back to your normal self soon!! ❤

Thank you for showing us this side, it really helps to see a bigger artist speaking so openly about this ❤

Although it obviously isn't nice that you're experiencing burnout, thank you so much for documenting it. I've had academic burnout for months now and was completely in denial, which has no doubt been making it worse. Seeing somebody else have all the same feelings and thoughts is validating and more than important, even if I know that personally, my deadlines mean that rest cannot be my first priority quite yet. But nevertheless, I am going to get myself some therapy, change a few things, and do all I can to make it :)

Thank you for sharing your blue period. It always feels humanizing when you get to see creators share their low points instead of just the highs.

Hearing you talk about this is so reassuring. I find it so much easier to find motivation when there’s an urgent deadline and to keep going when I’m busy. But when it’s just me with free time to do whatever I like - mustering the motivation to make art when I’m not 100% in the mood/inspired is so hard. Especially when there’s other things I want to do/ that are drawing my attention!

I look back at highschool where I felt like I was struggling a lot (mainly with undiagnosed autism), and I don't think "I should have done more" I think "I should have done less". I wish I'd skipped more classes, spent more time resting when I needed to, eating more things I wanted to eat, spending more time in nature. I wish I hadn't been pushed to get grades good enough for uni! Idk I think a lot of the trials of being alive are because of capitalism, and that I'm happy right now because I'm happy being a poor artist on Centrelink lol. It's hard when your creativity and spark are linked to your income!

i felt exactly the same today with finding inspiration, and watching your videos painting made me get out of bed and start painting! i used to exclusively use IG as an artist, but i found self comparison more negative over there, whereas on youtube seeing people's processes (not just end results) i find way more motivating. so thank you for getting me out my slump today :)

I’ve had the EXACTA SAME for the past month - feeling like productivity is paramount, and not doing anything unless it’s ‘productive’ which then leads to me scrolling or sitting, wasting time and feeling even more unproductive 😅 for me, my friends keep saying ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup’. Have spent the last few weeks going out, looking at real life inspiration, moving my body, eating intuitively…and now i feel much more on track, inspired, and have achieved a slight redirection in work which i’m excited about! This is the time for growth, sending light 🪩

i’m for the cleaning ASMR 🙋🏻‍♀️ and this video totally resonated with me. feel glad to have watched it, especially the part when u lie down and talk to us casually about how u are feeling. i guess one just has to go through it ‘coz it’ll pass too. just do what u can for the day however simple. i guess cleaning is one way to do it.

Hi Sha'an- Sorry your feeling burned out 🫂💛 we all have different things that seem to help. Here's what normally helps me. I try to remind myself creativity has an inflow and and outflow. If I let my soul reservoir get depleted of things that fuel my creativity I crash out. Secondly, no guilt or self shaming... it's time for me to focus on things that fill me up; like experiences that make me laugh with friends, nature walks, exercising, getting my hair done and reading. I highly recommend the book The essential Marcus Aurelius. It's a philosophy from a Roman emperor. It has really inspiring notations that always get me excited about making my best work! It's available on audible also. Hopefully my list inspires you to take the time you need to recharge in whatever way works for you and come back overflowing with creativity and joy! Love to you, Rocket and Tonks 💛💙❤️🐈

I loved the cleaning part of this video. It was very soothing and reassuring. And thanks for sharing the “ unproductive “ parts of your work life. I can relate to the feelings of guilt too. Creative block sucks! It always helps me to step away and clean or do activities other than what you you’re struggling with because then subconsciously your brain is happy to be doing something. And then usually if I’m away from the “task” long enough, I find myself actually wanting to get back into it. Absence makes the heart grows fonder, as they say 😂

100% i agree about my identity being tied up in my creative work. I work at a non-art related office because i really need to get some money coming in & i cant help like feeling like im giving up on my artistic identity and dreams. I keep my etsy store open literally only for this reason because its validating for me to be able to say im making money from art

I liked the cleaning ASMR❤ Hope you feel better now and thank you for documenting ❤️‍🩹

Thank you for this vlog, Sha’an! The timing could not be more perfect - your thoughts and frustrations were so relatable! I also feel like I’m seeing the light at the end of a long looong tunnel but boy has it been rough! Your video and cheerful personality really lifted my spirits though!! We got this 😢💕💕

I hate feeling burnt out because I love my life. The guilt is all consuming and like you mentioned it feels like we’re running out of time… it’s inevitable but we’ll get through it 💙

From time to time I like to take a week or two off when I finish a huge project just to unwind and refresh.

I'm glad you made this video. It makes me feel not alone, and I'm glad someone inspiring as you also goes through similar experiences ❤️

I'm nearing my midterms at art school and I sooo feel this. Also, the calmness of the cleaning ASMR definitely helped cool off after a scary critique.

this video is literally so soothing, I love the cleaning !!!!

In today's society we have a toxic obsession with productivity that we forget what the point is. Relax, rest, work on your mental health, have fun, live. Take care of yourself. Thanks for sharing these glances into your life with us.

Thank you for putting feelings into words. It's really tough not to link being unproductive creatively with low feelings of self worth since we are extensions of our work. But I think throughout this vlog, you've encapsulated how a lot of other people (including me) feel, and it's refreshing to see someone be vulnerable with their ups and downs. Sending lotsa love and hugs!!!

While I don't work in a creative space - I recently really struggled with burnout so much so that I took 5 weeks off from my job. All I can say is it's okay to give yourself space! While it's hard - you are not defined by your "productivity". Take time to enjoy doing the tiny things that make you happy without pressure to then go and do something "productive". If you want to clean surfaces and then go for a walk and watch Netflix all day - take that time. There is so much pressure nowadays to always be perusing something. But there is a need to also take those times (not just hours but weeks even) to slow down and do "nothing" Hope you feel better soon ❤️

I can relate to what you are going through. You are saying the same things I say to myself about guilt and time being precious but nothing works. You just have to let the time pass. I tell myself that this is a time where I am absorbing things around me that I am unaware of that will somehow add to my creativity. I am sometimes pleased with work I produce but never totally satisfied because I think we are always looking for something and we are not sure what that something is. That’s why we are able to create.Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Makes me feel like I belong to a special group.😊❤️🎨

Cleaning asmr are a bliss. It really makes you feel what the situation is and how our little peach is feeling. Thanks for not putting music my lovely

The stuff you talk about makes many less alone and at the same time validated in their emotions, as it did to me as well on this gloomy Tuesday 🥰 much love and warm thoughts.

thank you for this! ❤︎ it really sucks to feel this way & helps to see others in it too, big hearts

I was art-blocked all of last year and it was horrible. It wasn't the most unhappy I've ever been, but close, especially when I was also dealing with the emotional backlash of some unexpectedly harsh commentary from people I shared my art with. I've finally returned to working in my sketchbook and just placing no pressure on it. Nothing needs to be perfect, I'm not trying to make things I hope people will like, I'm just allowing little thoughts to make their way down, and it's slowly feeling better. I think I can connect with how you felt this vlog, and I hope you feel better soon!

In your Productivity video you said your are highly goal driven. So what you experienced in this video makes total sense. For me without having a specific goal feels like there are endless options, but also none at the same time.

I enjoy everyday background noise much more than music!! so more of that please 🫶

I really needed this today. Been so burnt out lately and this is reassuring. Thank you for sharing this 💞

Identity in work and not feeling as valid while resting is something I also struggle with. I also have been trying to figure out if I need to "kick myself" or not too. I feel like if I need to ask, it points to capitalist guilt, and I should ALLOW rest! Thanks for sharing this. I needed to see someone else processing in a similar way.

Feel you. I think every creative person can relate. I found it helpful to just let go and just let mysleft not do things, change environment and just do something totally not related to design. Your vlogs are very inspiring btw :)

i love cleaning videos! i like a mix of chill lofi music over some cleaning sounds and then some scenes of no music ❤

I’m not happy about your burnout, but I’m grateful for this video. Sometimes instagram and youtube make us feel that artists live this life of endless creativity and joy, when in fact it is a highlight reel. It’s so important to be gentle and remember that we are all human.

Really nice transition between your humming to the song and back

I never fast forward through your videos. Just goes to say how much I appreciate the filming, how engaging you make them and your energy level is always on point! Forever a fave 🥹 🖤

even your burnout vlogs are inspiring.... screenshotted a snap of your cozy couch and plant and it's now my desktop background to bring cozy vibes to my digital space

i totally relate to how you're feeling. i think it's especially harder when you're freelance/working for yourself bc there's no one but yourself to motivate you, and that's a lot of pressure! also idk about you but i'm a procrastinator so that adds a whole other layer of pressure when you're feeling unmotivated :/ i hope the inspiration comes soon! ❤

Thank you that was such a really lovely video. I can't put into words how refreshing that was to watch. I have chronic fatigue and it felt really cosy watching something kind of relatable.

I’ve been going through a similar funk. I cant tell if my depression is returning or what. I dont think its creative block cuz I can make art, its not work burnout cause work has been wonderful. But I feel so caught in a rut, a terrible funk. Thanks for sharing, I feel much less alone

Whenever I meet a professional in my industry, I always ask how to cure burn out. The answer I get everytime is travel. I was burnt out as well and decided to go to Australia! After that travel it healed me. There is no need to go far but a change in scenery really heals and inspires.

Hellooo Sha'an! recently i rediscovered your vlogs again and it filled me with a warmth. It is nice to see you again. I am sorry you have to navigate through a burnout but I hope you will manage well! The cleaning ASMR was nice :)

This was very relatable for me. Been in the same space for about 2 weeks now. It sucks! A kinda used my sketch book to draw a random thing as well. Wishing we both get through the creative block soon ❤❤

Love u!! Thank you for sharing this. Happy to hear your're feeling brighter now :)

i watch a lot of korean/japanese vloggers and they've made me really appreciative of silent vlogs (no bg music). its so much more relaxing to watch. often i focus too much on the music and less on the visuals! taking in inspiration counts as doing research as far as i'm concerned, so that's still being productive! plus you cleaned and filmed/edited a vlog. you're way more on top of things than you think you are :)

What i do when I'm burnt out or uninspired is write to do lists or even shopping lists and I'll go back and reread them and find inspo there if that helps

This was so refreshing and relatable. Hope you get over this hump soon and thank you for still putting out this video whilst possibly not entirely feeling up to it.

Ahhh I needed to watch this, I’m in a artist funk/block right now, and when you said you feel like times getting shorter. I was like holy man I feel like that but I’m 41 and I honestly feel time is not on my side. The panic anxiety guilt and depressed feeling is real. I just keep wondering around my studio just looking. So I’m taking inspiration from you. I’m going to clean and tidy my studio and then do some sketch book work, for me and no one else! Thanks FLP xx

I’m continuing to watch the rest of this video and I have to laugh because you sound just like me. The bit about depression and trying to analyze your feelings. Napping and reading and watching art videos get me through. Crazy isn’t it? In the end, when the down time passes, we do enjoy some moments of bliss as we do our thing. Then it comes around again!!! 😂😂❤

I’m sorry peach, it sucks and we are all here to support you. I’ve had ups and mostly downs/depressive episodes for going on 8 (8!!? ..It really catches up with you huh) years now - it’s so hard feeling lost, unproductive, guilty and struggling to find the inspiration or kick off point to ‘do the thing’ Proud of you for doing your best.

When I’m burnt out I like to try new creative things like clay, sewing or even painting with something new. Burn out sucks and but I think this video was helpful and really nice to watch

I thoroughly appreciate this vlog, I often feel like if I'm not being productive it somehow affects my worth and doing that just isn't kind to myself. You helped me take a guilt free break today!

I feel like depression for me is worse in transitional periods. I struggle a lot with changing seasons. And it's definitely better one day and worse the next.

Green Sleeves… my favorite since I was a kiddo 🤗

I hope you will feel better soon 😘 thank you for sharing how you feel, it's really helpful to see other creative people feel like this. I took some months off my design work because I had completely lost the motivation and it helped me so much to find it again. My mind is so more motivated to start new projects and I fell fresher. Sometimes we have to listen to our mind and body and allow us to rest or take a pause. I can only suggest you to go outside your mind and your space, walk and observe the world around you and you will find yourself again:)

Thank you so much for sharing this video. You are one of my fave artist and seeing this side of you makes me love your work even more. So relatable and inspiring to rest but keep going.

bro i NEEDED this I came to the realization I was burnt out the other day and I've been just stressing about it so much but this was such a good way to kinda get out of my own head

I’m really glad you shared this and it’s good to know everyone goes though this at one point or another as a creative. I feel “guilty” too but sometimes a change or scenery or taking a day trip helps inspire those juices…I currently am going through one but it’s for a logo/brand work (im a graphic designer) and it just a matter of pushing through and start sketching or researching. Good luck to you and everyone in this situation

Ahh the Greensleeves humming made me want ice cream hehe

My heart when I see Liunic bag from Indonesia. Two of favorite illustrators in one frame💜😍

I just started uni last week and have been having the absolute worst time so hopefully this vid can cheer me up even just by a bit 🫶🫶🫶 wishing for better and brighter days

you are such a big inspiration for me, as a new youtuber

i love coming back to this channel and having to catch up on videos

Yeah, I think any pro artist experiences that once in a while. I really struggle with doing what I want creatively personally and it always comes last after the things I have to do and then of course, I don't have the energy anymore. And it's ridiculous because I'm literally a fine art artist, so all my artworks are things that I decide on. But there's a difference between agreeing to make shows and working for specific galleries with deadlines and just doodling in your sketchbook. I feel often guilty when I don't put enough thought into any creative endeavor. I don't have any magic solution, currently dealing with neuralgia on top of everything, so I'm forced to rest, but I still have ongoing projects. Pfff. It's an ongoing work in progress to find a balance between what you have to do, what you want to do, and also just resting. Resting is OK, btw. Sometimes we need to just stare holes in the wall and that's fine. I actually have one piece of advice, just embrace the down and don't fight it too much. Usually, when you are low on energy it's because you physically need a rest, so doing nothing is the most productive thing you can do. And it'll pass eventually. Best of luck! Never a fun phase :(

I feel for you Sha'an, and it's completely understandable. Drawing how you feel - which was what you were doing - sounds like a great idea, too. All the best.

I have this playing while I cleaned my desk first time since last November.... Life has been filled with much twists and turns lately, but only right thing to do is clean, and keep going. Also that monstera could drink some more 😅

Taking a nap always helps 🖤

i hope you get your motivation back soon!!! having watched your peachtober i was already wondering how you were doing since that's A LOT of art to produce!! 💖 sending cuddles to Tonka!!

I find just doodling in a sketchbook with no plan can help. And meditation helps. Hugs ❤

I appreciate you documenting thing part of an artists life 🧡

I really enjoyed the ASMR bits. It was calming. Sending you all the good vibes :') I know how hard burnout can be, especially when it comes to creating.

seeing the sticker on your door makes me so happy! Passing by you must know there are some secret magic being prepared behind those doors hehe! Feeling burnout is really debilitating so please don't feel stupid, you are not a machine, you are a human, and you are a really hard working one, but just like everything in nature we can't be productive 100% of the time, if a bear need to rest all winter to survive the rest of the year, we can have some down days!! But i know it's all in theory ywy it's hard to get out of it when we're in it! I'm just getting out of a few months of feeling unmotivated and burnt out and i know its still looming over, i try to cling on the productivity i have right now so much! Decluttering, doing other things that inspire you is definitely a smart choice

I find with work (and working for myself as an artist) I'm always super unmotivated in my luteal phase of my cycle. Always super motivated just after my period and while im ovulating but I def have a lull that first week after ovulation and then while ive got the sharkies. I always plan my life and work chores around these things after making note when i feel like junk. Try it and lemme knowwww

I feel like this is so common among Artists we have to find ways that work for us to get back into a productive state of work again. Burnouts happen but we can try to stop them and get back to work. Even if we start out differently than someone else might we know how to not overwhelm ourselves by putting our feet back into work in small ways. Like cleaning up our space or walking and listening to music while seeing some new sites. I write down what I want to try to get done soon or what I know I need to get back into. It can be harder at times for myself due to family life I have only have so much personal time that I can fully focus on my Art. But I am doing my best I figuring out what works and not making myself feel bad over every little thing that I haven't done or need to do. And than turning the corner and hyping myself up to get back into painting or sketch my ideas out.

“I should have a nap” - hard relate, especially with the proceeding comment on feeling like you’re running out of time for all the things you want to do. I feel like I go through this cyclically and am just coming up from a bout of this.

To answer the question, yes to the cleaning ASMR ❤️

Hi Sha'an! THANK YOU so much for making this video. Everything you said is so relatable and it's so nice to hear that everyone is going through the same thing and I'm not alone on this. It's very tough. I have a hard time trying not to feel guilty about myself too when I'm not productive. And I always feel like time is running out too. I hope you can get out of the creative block soon! Lots of love xx

This is all such a mooooooooooood. I hope you feel more yourself again soon 💕

I struggle with this exact problem soooo much and that's why I haven't been able to start my illustration freelance career at all. I've recently been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD cause I could never get out of this. Starting things is my arch nemesis even though I have a lot of creative ideas I'd like to do. I think it can look like depression sometimes cause you don't do anything but really ADHD is all about having a hard time starting things and pushing though difficult tasks but you still have a drive to do things inside unlike depression. Maybe if ya'll always feel like this it could be a sign of something underlying like it was for me! Seeking mental health support could be a good idea :)

The lack of music in the earlier portion of the video was sobering. It actually caused me to reflect with you on how I am doing!

"Maybe I should just go overseas" I felt that on a whole different level.

Thank you for your video, it always helps so much to remember creative blocks are an unfortunate part of our job, I really wish you will get out of it as soon as possible! It also helps to hear other people (especially people we love the work, you're a big inspiration to me!) going through similar things in life. About what you said on depression and creative block, without over-sharing I can give you a bit of my experience: I’ve been going through a severe depression for months now and yes I do find there are some similarities with creative block, but as I've experienced both I think the main difference is that at the beginning of depression when it’s not that severe you can have some ups and downs. Still, sometimes it transforms into an infinite down (that's when it's becoming severe and much harder to get out of it) (and also depression often prevents any form of creativity so.... ugh it sucks so much 😶) At least with a creative block you know it will clear out at some point (even if it is really frustrating when you don't feel like drawing or don't know what to draw). I'm really sorry you're experiencing that, take care of yourself, and don't push yourself too hard, your creativity come back! 💛

I feel like reading, art vlogs, and TikTok are refilling our creative cups and is it’s own category of productivity. Nothing to feel bad about because it might lead you to something amazing you otherwise wouldn’t have done.

this resonates, thank you for sharing... you make me feel I am not alone ...

I have just gotten out of a long bout of creative block and it was helpful to see I’m not alone. I hope you find your creative spark again soon :) Would definitely look forward to another Japan vlog, your last one is one of my favorites!

I would love to see you do something abstract in these times, release color to canvas or paper without plan or expectation. I’ve got videos on my channel of me doing exactly this. Make something ugly. I know all to well about the feeling of art needing to feel purposeful, it’s really great to embrace the untethered freedom of abstraction. I used to be strictly representational, but have incorporated abstraction into my practice to balance my mental state. Also, it’s perfectly ok to scroll mindlessly until the motivation returns. Productivity is a construct. Love & support, June

cleaning asmr was nice!

Thinking about this one also: Maybe it also has something to do with just loving it when you're working on a project for clients... that sometimes, when it gets like quiet and it's just time for you make something for yourself without deadlines or anything like that, you start feeling like you're not doing anything productive if it's not for something else. I know this cause at times, I'd feel this way too. but you know, here's an idea! why not you can make the same video where you gave yourself a project and treated it as if it's for a client! ahahaha just a thought. love the burnout illustration so much!!! hehehe

I loved the cleanup ASMR! Feels like we were a part of the moment with you. Also not a bummer at all, I felt a burnout wall coming on this week for the first time in a year so this couldn't have come at a better time.

thank you for this one, it is absolutely the reassurance!!!

i love this asmr!!!

this is a mood... a life long one 😭

Well this inspired me to clean when I get back from work

Sorry you are feeling the burn out, at least you looked cute while doing it! And I 100% support you going over seas to get out of it lol. Im going to Japan in April. You can meet up with me!

I feel the exact same right now with my creativity!! It's so hard to put into words, because I have the ideas, I know exactly what I want to do, but I just dont have the drive. Pandemic and personal mental health issues has done it to me. And not being able to express myself makes it worse. I don't know how to get out if it, because I feel like life needs to get better too :( But it's nice to know I'm not the only one who experiences this.

thank you for this, been in a creative slump and i don't know when it'll end :(