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All artists experience hardships in their careers. There's always a question of whether to persevere or quit. The obvious answer, at least most times, is to soldier on. Often, we find success at the limits of our endurance, right when we're going to give up.
Sometimes, though, stepping away for a while is the right answer. Of course, it's always possible a temporary break turns into a permanent one – and, sometimes, that may be for the best. Only you can decide if and when to come back. Regardless, here are three ways to tell if you need to take a break from making music – at least temporarily.
1. You've lost the fire
You find yourself phoning in your shows. You're not excited about writing or performing – or any aspect of your career, really. You find yourself disinterested in the things you used to be passionate about: knocking on doors, winning fans, creating new music.
It could be burnout from pushing yourself too hard for too long. It could be that you've got other stuff going on in your life, like a difficult class schedule, a sick relative, or a demanding boss. Or it could be depression, especially if this attitude has leaked into other aspects of your life. If so, you may want to talk to someone about it ASAP. It's nothing to be ashamed of and something everyone has dealt with.
Otherwise, it could be a sign your interest in music is flagging and you'd rather direct your efforts elsewhere. Or it may be a more short-term feeling that deserves a little break. Either way, it's a big, flashing warning sign.
2. You're following a trend and not your heart
If you hate the music you're playing, why are you doing it? If you're making boatloads of money, that's one thing, and congratulations, because you're in an elite minority. I know far too many people, however, who began with a unique sound and watered it down until it fit a certain trend. Now, they're just like any number of artists out there and just not different enough to stand out.
It's very, very easy to lose yourself in this industry; the first thing to go is usually the sense of who you are as an artist. If you can recognize you're following a trend dispassionately, and you're not sure where to go, take a breather. Get centered with the things that used to speak to you. Listen to great, inspiring music. Step out altogether for a while if you have to. Come back once you've found your voice again.
3. You've got a bad reputation
Perhaps it's of your own making. Perhaps it isn't. Regardless, the best thing to do is step out for a bit.
I'm not talking about one or two random things – these happen from time to time. I mean you're actually getting a reputation in the business. It might be good to give emotions time to cool down and give people a chance to forget about any real or perceived slights from you.
Take this time to reinvent yourself and work on any personality flaws that might be holding you back. By the time you step back out there again, you'll be a new and different person – and they'll be ready to accept you again.
Reasons to take a breather are as varied and nuanced as we are. It's important to remember, though, that success – especially in this industry – is a marathon and not a sprint. It's easy to get burned out or creatively zapped, and it's good to remember you're not a robot. You're not expected to perform at peak levels 100 percent of the time – nobody is. So give yourself a break. You might be glad you did.
Next up: How to Make a Comeback After Taking a Break From Your Music Career
Daniel Reifsnyder is a Nashville-based, Grammy-nominated songwriter, having started his musical journey at the age of three. In addition to being an accomplished commercial actor, his voice can be heard on The Magic School Bus theme song and in Home Alone 2. Throughout his career, he has had the honor of working with the likes of Michael Jackson and Little Richard among many others. He is a regular contributor to several music-related blogs, including his own.
