If you’ve been taking your music career seriously for a long time, it’s possible that you may start feeling a bit of “burnout” at some point. No matter how much you love music, it’s sometimes important to take a step back and let yourself relax for a few weeks, months, or even longer.
Luckily, that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Here are a few reasons why taking a break from music can sometimes be a pretty good idea.
1. Improve Mental Health and Appreciate the Present
Over 73% of independent musicians report that they have experienced stress, anxiety, and depression as a result of pursuing a career in music. Constantly trying to book the next gig, planning regional or national tours, connecting with fans on social media, and trying to get more views on a YouTube channel can eventually wear some musicians out.
The stress and anxiety from wearing so many hats and taking on so many responsibilities can add up over time. It can create a feeling of “thirst” in which you’re constantly trying to get the next good review, the next word of encouragement, the next album sale, or get to the next “level” in your career.
Taking a step back from music allows some of this anxiety to dissipate. It can give you a chance to reflect on what you’ve accomplished in the past and where you are in the present - rather than what you’re lacking or haven’t accomplished yet.
2. Make Some Money (So You Can Reinvest in Your Career)
Let’s face it, even some of the best musicians out there are barely getting by on their musical skills alone.
Luckily, even taking a step back for a month or two can allow musicians to explore new, untapped avenues for making money. This could include trying out their skills at being an Uber driver or another “gig economy” job or starting a new part-time job that will help supplement music-based income.
By finding a great musician side hustle or saving up some money during your break, you may find that you’re more easily able to afford studio time or important music gear that you need once you launch back into gigging heavily again.
3. Learn Other Skills That Can Help In Your Musical Journey
Taking a break from a music career can also be a great idea because it will give you time to develop other important skills. If you’re a musical artist who takes on a lot of different roles from day to day, chances are that there are some that you’re not so great at.
If you’re not especially skilled at using social media, for example, it may be time to learn the ins and outs of the different platforms you use or even join some new ones. On the other hand, maybe you should take some time to learn about how to shoot and edit great video footage or how to improve your website. There are plenty of little skills you can work on that can be a big help to you once you return to the game.
4. Bolster Your Creativity
If you decide that it’s time to take a break from your music career, you’ll likely find that going cold turkey is a lot harder to do than you may have expected. Downtime tends to make us more creative and new ideas will likely pop into your head, anyway.
For a songwriter, creative inspiration could come in the form of the perfect song idea coming out of nowhere that you’ll be compelled to sit down and flesh out. Taking a break from music could also lead you to think of some creative marketing campaigns you could implement with your next album. It could also lead you to think about how you could add more excitement to your next live show or tour.
5. See Things From a Different Angle
Having music, or anything in our lives for that matter, as a constant, can help ground us and make us feel like we have a purpose. It can give us a sense of belonging. However, once we remove that constant from our everyday lives, we often start to realize how important it really is.
If you’ve been going through the motions or have been getting frustrated in your career, taking a break from music may make you appreciate just how much music means to you and just how much playing your instrument or singing, either for an audience or not, adds to your life.
6. Make a Valiant Comeback
If you have a serious love for music, chances are that a break of any size won’t be a permanent one. During your time away, a new and exciting path may reveal itself to you. You may finally recognize the one missing piece of the puzzle that’s been holding you back.
Once you make the return to your career you may finally start planning that cross-country tour you’ve always dreamed about. You may have saved up the money to record your next album. You may even decide to form a new band or musical project or move to a better music city to pursue your passion.
No matter what you decide to do once you return to music, chances are that you’ll do it with more understanding of why you’re doing it, what you hope to accomplish, and a much clearer vision of your future as an artist than ever before.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve experienced enough burnout with your music career, taking a break from music can seem like a scary idea. However, it may end up being a much more positive experience than you expect. By taking a break from music you’ll likely experience some unexpected advantages and will come back to your career feeling more energized and motivated than ever before.
Ethan Harrison Smith is a modern folk-style singer/songwriter who has performed at diverse venues across the United States and beyond. He specializes in original folk music which is rooted in personal reflection and introspection, combining creative lyrical ideas with stripped-down acoustic guitar and harmonica. You can learn more about Ethan Harrison Smith and his music at EthanSmithMusic.com.