How a makeup artist can survive burnout?
Burnout affects everyone differently but its effects are often devastating. As a makeup artist you constantly work with people, you are always on your feet and need to be up-to-date with everything the industry has to offer. You need to balance your job (or two), your studies and your private life. All of these sounds like a direct road to burnout.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a result of severe stress which leads to exhaustion and inability to function.
The trouble with burnout is that we often notice it and take steps to recover way too late since we are all busy, we have lots of things to do and to achieve. Many young people are driven by FOMO (the notorious “Fear of missing out” syndrome - an anxiety that you are missing out on the fun happening elsewhere, often encouraged by social media) that they often feel the need to be on the go the whole time. There is hardly any time just to chill out and take time off. And that’s why we simply don’t know if we’re close to burnout.
Recognise the burnout before it’s too late.
A lot of makeup artists mention that they don’t realise they have “burnt out” until it is too late. They often miss the warning sights continuing the same lifestyle until one day they can’t function.Some of us might have a 9-to-5 job and work as makeup artists during the weekends
leaving no time for both body and mind to recover. Others have extremely busy schedules trying to burn the candle at both ends as a makeup artist, updating their websites, making videos for their Youtube channels, providing comp makeup services for marketing purposes, attending professional courses all while trying to make money to pay the bills.
Make sure you have some time - let’s say at least 5 minutes - for yourself everyday. Take time off, go on vacation and take care of yourself before it’s too late.
A lot of makeup artists say that they become bad tempered and angry at absolutely everything and everyone. They sleep badly and become very emotional which is gradually ruining relationships with people they love and care about. Yes, we all want to do well in our jobs, see the results of our work and achieve the goals we set for ourselves.
But our body and mind has its limits! So do our family and friends.
How can you do better?
At some point our body will stop this marathon of tasks and deadlines. Weight fluctuations, low blood pressure, exhaustion and even panic attacks are just a few of the burnout consequences. How do you get better?
Go on a dream holiday and take a break from your job or jobs. Healing takes time. Don’t check your emails or messages. Don’t answer phone calls.
Think about why you’ve had burnout. Understanding the reasons and changing your work-life balance is a key to your recovery. OMA team would suggest using the 5 Whys technique to get to the bottom of the burnout.
Ask your first “Why” - “Why am I experiencing it?”For each answer you come up with, ask further “why” question as it helps you get to the root of the problem, You might need more than 5 “whys” or perhaps fewer - the main point is to stop asking when you stop giving yourself useful and meaningful responses.
Identify or re-define your values and write down a personal mission statement to have a clear understanding of what you think is worthwhile and important. Say “No” to things that don’t fit your values and goals.
Take up a physical activity. It shouldn't be anything complicated or intense - take regular walks, do yoga, or take up swimming.
What did burnout help us understand?
Ask for help. Don’t expect it to go away.
You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. As they say, “You can’t pour from an empty glass”. Make sure you have your own time and space to recharge. Remember that balance is everything. Make time for your family and friends, your self-development and for your interests and hobbies.
Change the way you work and set aside some time for self-reflection: look at what you are currently doing and decide if you can reduce your workload by optimizing certain activities or even quitting them.
OMA team