Creating Systems That Support Your Creativity (Before You Burn Out)

Confession: I love a good checklist.

But lately, the todos have felt less like helpful nudges and more like a slow avalanche of “don’t forget this!” Post-its piling up in my brain. It feels never-ending and insurmountable.

Between writing deadlines, prepping for baby, and trying to stay human in the process, I’ve realized something has to give… and it’s NOT going to be my stories. So instead, I’ve been leaning into the one thing that actually helps me when the overwhelm starts to creep in:

Systems.

Not the rigid, hustle-culture systems. Not “maximize every second of your day” systems. I’m talking about creative support systems. The kind that hold space for your inspiration to flow without relying on your current energy level or brain fog status.

So if you’re heading into a busy season (or crawling out of one), here are a few ways I’m setting things up to support my creativity before burnout ever gets the chance to settle in.

1. Batch the Repetitive Stuff

If you find yourself writing the same kind of caption, blog intro, or email every week—batch it. For instance:

• Schedule a couple hours a week to brainstorm 3–4 Instagram captions.

• Write your newsletter intros for the next two months in one sitting.

• Draft recurring blog structures or outlines you can fill in later.

• Create social media content for the week all in one time block.

Batching lets you ride the wave of focus instead of reinventing the wheel every time. It’s not glamorous, but Future You will be so relieved.

2. Set Up a “Creative Catch-All”

I keep a running Notes app doc (and sometimes a voice memo) of every random idea that strikes. Things like: book lines, post hooks, story ideas, even just vibes.

On days when my brain is fried, I can pull from this well instead of forcing something new to happen. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for your tired future self.

3. Automate What You Can

I know “automation” sounds techy… but hear me out.

• Schedule your newsletters or blogs to go out ahead of time.

• Use social media planning tools if you’re active on multiple platforms.

• Create templates for Canva graphics, emails, or launch checklists.

These little automations free up so much mental space and that’s often the first thing to go when burnout sets in.

4. Embrace Imperfect Systems

Your system doesn’t have to be fancy. Mine is sticky notes, a Google Doc brain dump, and a loose weekly writing routine.

Your job isn’t to make the perfect plan—it’s to make enough of a plan that your creativity has a soft place to land.

5. Protect Your Output By Planning Your Input

Burnout doesn’t just come from doing too much—it comes from not refilling your well.

Build in rest. Create Pinterest boards, reread old favorites, or leave margin in your calendar for a “nothing” day. Even ten minutes of quiet can recharge a drained creative mind. This is the hardest thing for me to do these days, but I must remind myself how truly important this is!

In the End...

Systems aren’t about becoming a machine. They’re about honoring your creativity enough to protect it. Because burnout steals the joy from what we actually love to do and that’s not the legacy we want to leave behind in our stories.