We're writers. Therefore, we're (usually) readers. Therefore, we blog or make videos. Stories. Words, words, everywhere. They're all around us. They're everywhere we look.

But what if you're burnt out? What if words are exhausting to you right now? What if you want to read, but you start to feel like if you read any more books right now, you'll hit serious creative burnout?

Creative burnout is so real and so dangerous for us as writers. It saps our strength. It takes our feelings and turns them into all-encompassing heavy weights that keep us from getting words onto paper. That's our goal. That's our purpose. That's what we were MADE for. And yet it's so easy to feel like finding the words is impossible.

I faced that as I finished the first summer of graduation. I was burnt out personally in a lot of ways, exhausted, and uncertain how to finish writing books. I had just finished a first draft that in many ways was cathartic, but in a lot of others was exhausting and difficult to process emotionally. This was a recipe for disaster. I'd also just hit a point of reading 120 books in 2024. While I'm very proud of that number, I also am SO burnt out from reading, and I'm still taking a break from reading so that I don't just force myself to do it for numbers' sake. 

Here's how I kept myself from burning out: creative outlets that didn't involve words. It's not hard to find them, although they do take a little more work than just picking up a book. Let's talk about five things that will help you, as a creative, to become a more well-rounded person and also keep you from burnout.

1. Handicrafts, especially needle crafts

2. Puzzles

3. Exercise

4. Music

5. Cooking/baking

It is finally starting to cool off (not really, but let a girl dream) and that means fall, which means baking. Baking means all kinds of sweet treats, which is always a wonderful idea. Even if you have tons of dietary limitations (like me), there are awesome, simple recipes all over Pinterest for bakers of every skill level. Alternatively, if you don't have a ton of free time or disposable income: try using the ingredients you already have to make a really creative dinner at least one night a week. If you have kids, they may not love this, but the adults will be either very supportive or very personally opposed. I suggest starting by combining a seafood (any kind works great!) or white chicken meat, honey, and soy sauce with a little garlic and sriracha if you like spice. Tofu also works for this if you are vegetarian.

In conclusion: Not every hobby has to do with story. Sometimes, it's okay to skip the TV or skip the book or close the laptop and do something with your hands. In fact, I sincerely recommend it. I've been doing all of these thing a LOT this summer and going into this fall, and it's been life-changing.

(Also: It is breaking my Instagram reel addiction, which is ALWAYS a good thing). 

What's your non-word creative hobby? Let me know in the comments!