Staying in love with your career in the creative industries
Passion is the fiery energy that propels one forward with a spring in their step and the motivation to take on the day. But even the strongest flames can flicker, leaving one mistaking temporary exhaustion for falling out of love with their craft. They put down the paintbrush, they pack up their sewing kit, they lock up and leave the editing suite. The creative spark feels lost—but is it really gone?
If you truly believe your passion for your field has vanished into thin air, then you need to ask yourself three simple questions:
1. Have I made time to recover my creative energy?
Julie Cameron’s The Artist’s Way speaks to the importance of what she calls ‘Filling the Well’. When we pour ourselves into a single project for too long, other needs are neglected, leading to burnout. Your mind is a fickle thing and when it is overextended, all inspiration and motivation can just completely escape you. An overworked mind can feel drained of inspiration, but it can be revived with rest, care, and fresh stimulation. Exploring new visuals, even those seemingly unrelated to your work, can reignite that creative spark. Quieting the mind is the easiest way to do this, it is why some of the best ideas come to you in the shower! Or doing a repetitive task such as cleaning, cooking, doodling, etc. Cameron suggests a weekly ‘artist date’—a solo adventure to soak in the world’s beauty. Whether visiting a gallery or watching a visually rich film, these moments of inspiration can rekindle the love for your craft.
2. Did my passion die or am I just not inspired by what I am doing?
Sometimes, it’s not the act of creating that we’ve fallen out of love with—it’s our environment. Have you ever worked a job with exhausting hours, a difficult manager, or overwhelming stress? Over time, these experiences can become entangled with the creative process, making it feel more like a chore than a passion. That’s why prioritising a workspace that feels safe and inspiring is essential. Many famous artists, actors, celebrities state they require specific conditions to produce their best work, and though sometimes this can be seen as conceited, there is some truth to it! Find out what your creative process looks like and put together a checklist you can refer to that you can alter over time. Maybe your process requires a long period of silence in the mornings, maybe you need to write three pages of word-vomit so that you can clear space in your head, or maybe you just need to be in the comfort of your bedroom to focus—have a think about it!
3. Have I continued to learn?
Perhaps you are merely bored! Like a muscle, your brain needs variety to stay active, engaged, and continuously growing. Expanding your technical skills or diving into a completely different field can spark unexpected inspiration. Sometimes, the most unrelated experiences lead to breakthroughs—like taking a dance class and suddenly seeing the flow of fabric in a new way, inspiring a fresh clothing design. Or maybe you study microbiology and learn to paint with different moulds that you grow (Check out Dashaplesen’s work on instagram). Whatever you choose to explore, know that nothing is ever a waste of time and the skills, knowledge and abilities you require will serve you in ways you could never expect.
The saying goes “do what you love, you will never work a day in your life”. While aspirational, this idea is often an unrealistic dream sold to creatives at the start of their careers. In reality, tying your passion too closely to productivity can lead to burnout and a strained relationship with your art. But losing passion doesn’t have to be scary—it’s a natural part of the creative journey. By setting boundaries with your work and others, continuously learning and exploring new experiences, and, most importantly, practising self-love, you can reignite that creative spark in no time. Happy Valentines Day!
If you are looking for opportunities to gain experience to start your career, why not check out UAL’s jobs board, Creative Opportunities? Run by Careers and Employability, it is the go-to hub for creative students and graduates. You can find jobs, paid internships, competitions, and volunteering roles. If you are studying an art, design, communications, or a performance course or have recently graduated, then this is the place for you! Our goal is to help you achieve your ambitions and make a living doing what you love.