How do you return to music after burnout without losing yourself again?
I studied composition seriously in university and worked really hard for about 4 years. After graduating, I completely burned out and stopped writing music (even though I had gotten job offers from multiple game companies.) At the time, I thought I just needed a break, but that break turned into years away from composing.
Now I’m stuck with this mix of anxiety and regret. I feel like I’ve lost my talent, and I can’t help but think I wasted precious time by stepping away. I don’t hate composition—if anything, I still love it—but I’m scared that if I dive back in, I’ll end up burning out all over again.
Part of me knows that if I put in the effort, I could get back to the level I was at. But the other part of me feels like I don’t have the energy or mental resilience anymore. It’s a sad, frustrating place to be: wanting to create, but afraid of the cost.
Has anyone else gone through something similar? How did you reconnect with your art without pushing yourself into burnout again? Any advice or perspectives would mean a lot.