Took a break. Much needed. Constant noise. Hard to find signal. Cleared my mind. Gave me room to breathe. Mentally.

It’s part of the burnout recovery plan from The Artists Way.

I suffered heavy burn out in 2023. Television production does that. 2 seasons. Back to back. Not standard. Grinds you. Usually, you do a season. Then take a season off. The schedule’s intense. Long days. Longer nights. No weekends. My schedule, because I worked in Asia and constantly talking to LA… On a good week, 60 hours. During reviews, 100. Do this for two years straight. It does something to you.

Gave my wife a scare one night. Went out for an evening. The few we could have. Nearly fainted from exhaustion. It’s not healthy. Entertainment, art, it’s not suppose to be factory work. It is now. Fiat exploits all. Cheap capital, tax incentives, people doing what they can to milk the budget.

My contract ended.

I walked away.

Not just on my career. But everything I use to enjoy.

I started off as an illustrator. An animator. Just making things. After 25 years, executive and part politician. You hate what you once loved.

It was dark.

What was I going to do? 25 years of being in entertainment and media. Gonna work for an insurance company or the grocery store? (I tried. Rejected. Over qualified.)

Took time off. Traveled. Wrote. Tried to relax. Wasn’t sure what I was going to do for income. Bitcoin helped. Every price increase added days. Weeks. Months. Recovery, seemed possible.

But, it wasn’t enough.

I picked up The Artists Way. It’s a book for those suffering burnout. Who want to get back to loving what they do. I also read Slow Productivity. Two books that reshaped the way I look at my life and work.

I got to the stage in The Artists Way which challenged the reader to abstain from media. No reading. No watching. No listening. Accept to music, if you wanted. I didn’t think it’d be challenging. I had restraint. I had will power. I could do it.

Fuck me was I wrong.

The amount of podcasts I listened to. The amount of market and political news I consumed… Unhealthy. I was addicted. Not to mention, how much time wasted.

I thought I was efficient. Effective. That I was a productive person. But after just one day of observation, I realized how much bullshit is out there. And, how little it really affects you directly.

Shame to admit it, but the first couple days were rough. I powered through.

And then, something happened.

I got bored. Really bored.

But in the bordeom, I found myself imaginging. Thinking. Pondering. I felt an itch that needed scratching. I had ideas for illustrations. Songs. Books. Next thing I know, I found myself at my desk working on those very same things. With renewed focus and admiration.

I found myself exploring ideas again. And I spent more time talking with people again. I’d call my parents more. I’d hang out with friends. I’d spend some real quality time with my wife. Things you think you’ve done, but without the cloud.

I left the phone at home more. My notebook became a true companion. Its real interesting when you drop the modern tech behind. Put it in it’s place.

I went the week.

It was refreshing.

The fast ended this morning. I watched something for the first time. Didn’t care for it.

I caught up on “news”. Could care less.

“The market crashed”. Don’t give a shit.

I unplugged.

Not sure I want to plug back in.

I’m enjoying the free real estate that is my mind again.

I enjoy the focus.

I enjoy the quite.

I enjoy the boredom.

Feeling like my old self. The creative, inspired and optimistic self.

Cut the noise.

Find the signal.