To celebrate the reboot of YourCreativeChord Podcast and my new hub at YourCreativeChord.com, I've been featuring a series dedicated to jumpstarting YOUR creative chord. Although I intended this as a three-part series, I decided to split today's topic into two episodes to make the ideas easier for us to digest and apply. So, today's episode is the third of a four-episode series. Next week will continue from today and conclude the series. 

What's it about? 

Each of these episodes features the ideas from my Inspirational Bookmark Trio. The bookmarks offer three solid strategies to kickstart your journey to creative empowerment! 

If you're just tuning in, you may enjoy the last two episodes, too. 

In the Creative Exploration Formula episode #41, I fleshed out the path that my Creative Exploration Formula bookmark outlines to jumpstart any creative project. 

In that episode, I covered how to get into the creative zone, minus the negative inner critic, to start a new project or continue one. 

If you're curious about tapping your creativity, facing a creative block, or need a refreshed approach to getting your imaginative juices flowing, check out that episode.

Last week's Keys For Nurturing Creativity episode #42 expanded on my Keys For Nurturing Creativity bookmark. It includes key ideas that I personally use and that creators I've interviewed, studied with, or researched have used for boosting creative flow.

Today's episode features the ideas from the third bookmark of my FREE Inspirational Bookmark Trio. Episode #43 is called RESET to nurture your creativity and inspired life. Today, we'll address how to deal with creative blocks or burnout.

Would you like your own handy copy of my bookmark trio to help keep you in the innovative, imaginative zone? 

You can grab your FREE Inspirational Bookmark Trio at YourCreativeChord.com/getinspiredhere

Let's dive in...

Do you need a total reset to nurture your creativity and inspired life?

When life's inevitable obstacles pile up, it can be difficult to create. 

Burnout is a huge creative block. 

Believe me, I've been there. In fact, I'm working on my RESET right now!

Creativity needs energy and certain elements to allow natural flow. 

Stress can be a catalyst for tremendous creative output. 

But stress can also stifle it.

I'm juggling being a solo entrepreneur, author, course creator, my creative skill development as a pianist, composer, poet, podcaster, and my caregiver role with a grueling role as a volunteer HOA Board President. 

I've just gone through a period where I got so busy helping and protecting others that my life became entirely derailed from my personal, creative, and career goals. 

The past few years of constant challenges, plus the horrific current news about the world, have worn my energy and focus. 

My sleep quality and quantity suffered. 

Each time I got through one crisis, another hurled its way toward me. 

Thinking of my to-do list exhausted me. 

This level of burnout and floundering is unlike me. 

I am a person with a relentless drive. I have a powerful initiative to lead others toward positivity through my abundant positive energy. 

Usually.

But whenever I mentioned my personal struggles to others, they quickly chimed in that these were relatable to them. 

So, if you feel stressed, you are not alone.

A while back, I listened to life coach/author Mel Robbins talk about her Reset Workshop. She made me realize that my exhaustion from my problems, the new pandemic norm, and the state of our world are not unusual. 

Burnout from stress is as real for me as it is for others. I burnt candles at both ends for others and for too long. 

It's crucial to take care of myself, so I may be my best for others—such a cliche! Yet, self-care is still the root of my problem whenever I suffer burnout or creative block. 

And it's also a big part of the solution. The idea of a total reboot inspired me, so I decided to do my version of a complete RESET. 

Wipe the slate clean. Start fresh.

I'm devoting myself to my personal RESET. These ideas may be helpful to you, especially if you're burned out or need a creative boost.

So, here's my version of how to RESET your energy and creative flow after burnout.

I use the letters to spell RESET-- R E S E T.

Let me share my version of RESET: 

R = Regularly rest your body, mind, and spirit. 

REST is FIRST because when you have burnout, you need Rest to replenish your energy. 

How do you rest?

Limit screen use and work hours. Do nothing more often. 

Seriously. Do nothing. Daydream. Take a nap. 

Mindlessly walk in nature. 

Listen to music. 

Go to your happy place. Stay there a while.

Here's a prompt for you about R = Regularly Rest:

Think about your current rest habits. Are you prioritizing Rest for your body, mind, and spirit? Identify one small change you can make to include more Rest into your daily or weekly routine.

E = Essentials only. 

Drop the stuff that matters less. 

As a caregiver and a solo entrepreneur, my task list seems endless. It is HARD for me to drop things because I feel like everything matters. 

But when everything matters, nothing matters. There needs to be a priority. 

Or 3 priorities.

Essentials only means going back to your core values. Those are your priorities. 

Only the essentials matter. 

Remember that LESS is MORE in terms of energy and happiness.

You can drastically diminish your task list when you focus on what you want to achieve. 

Set your priorities or goals first. 

Narrow your focus!

Focus on the one thing that will make the biggest impact on your goal. 

The Rest can wait.

After you complete that one goal, pick the next priority. 

Then, focus on only the essentials to reach that goal.

Here's something for you to think about on the E = Essentials Only idea:

Reflect on your tasks and commitments. Are there any non-essential activities or responsibilities that you can let go of to create more space for what truly matters to you? Clarify 1 or 2 priorities or core values that you want to focus on.

Today, we've covered the first two letters, R and E, of our Total RESET. 

R = REGULARLY REST

E = ESSENTIALS ONLY

In the next episode, we'll share the Rest of our RESET, which is spelled out in the letters SET of R E S E T.

Here's a reminder of the prompts for the first part of your RESET, using the letters R E of R E S E T:

R = REGULARLY REST

How can you incorporate regular Rest into your routine?

E = ESSENTIALS ONLY

What are the essentials in your life that deserve your focus?

I hope this episode and the prompts bring you to the place where creativity and inspiration meet transformation.

But if you need to hit the RESET button, download your FREE Bookmark Trio at YourCreativeChord.com/getinspiredhere 

You'll get all 3 bookmarks, including Creative Exploration Formula, Keys for Nurturing Creativity, and RESET Your Energy and Creative Flow. You'll have everything you need to replenish and get inspired.

I am pushing myself to blast away any obstacles or negativity while safeguarding my wellness. I will continue posting weekly YourCreativeChord podcast episodes as your go-to source for inspiration and motivation. 

Also, feel free to leave a comment to let me know your struggles and goals, questions, topics of interest, and YOUR best tips. 

See you next week, where creativity and inspiration meet transformation!