Yeah, I'm sorry but I'm not gonna wanna...

And other thoughts on burnout

Hi Omni,

Meredith here.

Have you been burned out lately? Because I have!

Here’s Finom acting out the concept of burnout (jk, they’re not)

With personal issues, creative roadblocks, and work crap galore, it’s hard not to be. Truly, I have not been my best self for quite some time.

Fortunately, there’s music—live music, to be specific.

Have you ever seen a band live and had it reinvigorate your sense of purpose as a musician (or creative in any realm)? Between seeing Waxahatchee in May, and a whole host of bands at Solid Sound in June, I’m just about feeling fixed. I’ve reconnected with the whole spiritual conversation of the thing, the call and response of it all. These phenomenal musicians (we’re talking Katie Crutchfield, Hrishikesh Hirway, Spencer Tweedy, Sima Cunningham, and Macie Stewart, just to name a few) shared their skills onstage, I took it in, and now I have to answer the call in my own little way. That’s just how it works—I don’t make the rules.

I’m not saying it’s a complete cure for burnout, but it sure as hell is helping, and that, in this day and age, is worth a lot.

This issue of the Patch Bay is dedicated to embracing the last lazy days of summer and taking time to soak up the things that recharge us.

Recommended Resources

• Did you know some of these musicians I had the pleasure of seeing and mentioned above have Substacks? Check out Spencer Tweedy’s and Katie Crutchfield’s for maximum inspiration, cool travel photos, and tender, loving thoughts.

• For more help with burnout, I recommend a little book called Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. There’s some handy advice in there to help us all get back to living our best lives.

Next up, some audio gossip…

• There’s a new episode of Reference Tracks! Hear Lisa and Isabelle chat about “Hold U” by Indigo De Souza.

Call and Response

Reply via email all you want (we love it!) But remember that you’ll find even more buddies if you respond to the post right here on Substack.

This month’s prompt:

Which artist last knocked your socks off with their live show?

Please tell us in the comments, and get a conversation going if you can. Maybe you’ll find the next artist to inspire you right here in the Omni comments section!

Love, Meredith

p.s. Anybody recognize this month’s lyrics? Let the photo be your guide!