Managing stress and avoiding burnout

Hi folks – take some deep breaths. Three seconds in, six seconds out.

The title of this blog series is hyperbolic, but it’s grounded in my own struggles with anxiety. I’ve spent the better part of the last few years determining the difference between a heart attack and a panic attack, but thankfully I’ve only had the latter. Their symptoms are terrifyingly similar, which makes the whole experience snowball (I don’t recommend it).

Recently, as stress in my life skyrocketed, what used to be my fun creative hobby turned into another source of pain. I spend so much time worrying about all the things I’m not doing that it’s impossible to get anything done. I’m either bouncing from task to task or paralyzed by my guilt. As I cut back my social calendar to spend more time getting these books across the finish line, I noticed my mental health deteriorating and progress slowing to a crawl.

The silver lining to all this is that because it felt so life-threatening, I took it very seriously. I went to a cardiologist to rule out anything truly dangerous, and followed it up with therapy and medication. I know I’m more fortunate than most to have access to this care through my job, and I encourage anyone in a similar boat to use your tools. Sometimes admitting that you need help can be the hardest part! Seek out resources that are available to you, and you may be surprised by what’s offered online, by your municipality, or even by your local hospital.

The thing that really stuck with me from therapy was a metaphor about injury: you know that trying to exercise on a twisted ankle is just going to make the ankle worse, so why don’t you apply that same logic to your mental health? I had to really force myself to relax and do nothing but the essentials, setting aside my self-publishing efforts so that I could recover.

This was (and still is) difficult, but instead of sitting at the computer for hours after a long day at work feeling miserable, I gave myself permission to take the evening off and do something low-key and relaxing. I eased my way back into it, and while I’m still not where I want to be, I’m getting better at recognizing when I’ve pushed myself too hard. Practicing gratitude, as cliché as it sounds, was surprisingly effective for me.

But how does this relate to self-publishing in 2026? I chose this topic partially as an explanation for my three-month hiatus but also to share some helpful advice to other authors that may be struggling, too. Anyone trying to self-publish these days wants to tell their stories, and if you’re anything like me, the task feels so huge that if you’re not making constant progress, it’ll never get done. Deadlines and goals are important and helpful tools, but be gentle with yourself. Your health and your life come first, and you shouldn’t disregard either just to publish a story a little sooner. Unlike those with traditional publishing deals, we don’t have anyone demanding drafts by a certain date, high stakes edits, or grueling book tours. Remember that self-publishing is self-paced, and you can adjust as needed.

P.S. In 2023, I read Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. I’m due for a re-read, but in summary it’s a book about letting go of trying to get everything done and focusing on doing the things that are most important to you. It’s written by a reformed “time management guru” who breaks down all of those gimmicky approaches and why they’re unsustainable. I highly recommend it for anyone trying to practice Gandalf’s wise words.