For many lifelong musicians, music has been more than a pastime—it’s an identity formed over countless hours teaching, recording, performing, and creating. Yet even with a house full of instruments, a studio ready for use, and shelves of sheet music, it’s normal to experience phases where the urge to play fades or disappears altogether. If you find yourself playing less often but still call yourself a musician, you’re not alone—and there’s nothing wrong with how you feel. Recognizing Musical Burnout Burnout is real, and it often sneaks up on people who have spent years steeped in their craft. What once sparked immense joy can start feeling like an obligation. You might notice physical or emotional exhaustion, a lack of motivation to pick up your instrument, or guilt over “not playing enough.” Even then, your passion for music never truly vanishes—it simply takes on a new form. Why It’s Okay to Step Back Periods of “musical rest” are vital for creative replenishment. Just as athle...
If you make music alone in a home studio (or mostly by yourself), you already know the feeling: one day you’re on a roll, the next day you stare at the same DAW screen and nothing happens. Creativity isn’t a faucet you can turn on and off at will — but it’s also not pure luck. With a few simple habits, constraints, and friendly rituals, you can make creative momentum more reliable. Below are practical ideas—part mindset, part workflow—that I use and recommend to students and colleagues. Try a handful, tweak them, and keep the ones that actually help you make more music. 1) Give creativity a schedule (but keep it playful) Treat creative sessions like appointments. Block 60–90 minute windows in your calendar and protect them. The pressure of a short, focused session often sparks choices and momentum you won’t get from an open-ended “I’ll work later” plan. That said, make at least one session per week a “no-expectations” jam—no goal, just exploration. Scheduled practice helps you ge...