Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emily Carter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Emily, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
This is something I’m still learning. Just last week, in a half-joking-half-serious manner, I asked my sister, “Aren’t you tired of girl bossing?” As silly as this question sounds, it was how I felt. I look around at the powerful women in my life and wonder how they aren’t so exhausted all the time. I think burnout, especially for women, results from the irrational feeling that we aren’t doing enough, that we aren’t good enough, or that we must do more. We overwhelm ourselves with impressive activities like picking up new hobbies, advancing our careers, or learning new skills.
I think I’ve been burnt out since I graduated college. I attended such a prestigious university, UCLA (B.S. in Biology), that it feels like people expect really big things from me now. I set such a high standard for myself that I feel like each step in my life has to be just as important and impressive. I recently completed my M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management (University of Denver) while working full time in the energy sector, and still feel like there’s so much more I need to be doing.
To remedy this, I found creative outlets that help me relax. I began sewing my own clothes and took up pyrography. I fell in love with these hobbies and they quickly became part of my everyday life. Ironically, these hobbies that were supposed to counteract my professional and academic burnout also became, at times, overwhelming. This past year, I was learning how to sew clothes, selling my pyrography art at markets every weekend, costuming musicals and plays, and performing in musicals – all while still working full time and completing my master’s program. I packed my schedule with various activities, always convincing myself I had enough time and energy to do them all, and with ease.
At my very first market, an old man making small talk with me asked about my background. When I told him I went to UCLA and was currently in a master’s program, he said, “And this is all you do now?” gesturing at my art with a condescending demeanor. I was shocked, and quickly told him about the hundred other things I was currently doing and had already done in an attempt to ‘prove’ myself. Now that I’ve sat with this for a while, I ask myself why I cared about what he thought in the first place. Being an artist can be just as fulfilling as my environmental career, and at times, I would much rather be wood burning all day than sitting behind a desk. If something makes me happy, shouldn’t that be enough reason for me to do it?
I overcome and prevent burnout by reminding myself that I don’t have to be doing every single thing all at once, and that what I am already doing is enough as long as it brings me joy. Something I had to learn later in life is that just because you have the time to do something, doesn’t mean you’ll have the energy to do it. You’re allowed to pick and choose what you do and find what is most fulfilling for you.
My main goal in life is to pursue things that make me feel fulfilled and happy. It can be that simple. Maybe I am still in an academic research mindset, but two writing strategies I find helpful are: Everything you write should be relevant to your thesis, and you must keep your audience in mind at all times. This can be applicable to life and burnout.
Instead of overwhelming myself to the point of exhaustion, I can find what is relevant to the ‘thesis’ of my life – what is gratifying to me – and prioritize those activities. Keeping my ambitions in mind helps me allocate the appropriate amount of energy to everything I do.
As far as my audience, it’s so easy to compare myself to others nowadays. But the truth is, not every single person sits in my audience. My audience is only myself and I shouldn’t spend time proving myself to others. Burnout can be prevented by keeping your goals in mind and only participating in activities that support those ambitions.
My advice to anyone feeling burnout is to be gentle with yourself, remember your thesis, and be your own audience. Everyone is going to have different goals; the only goals you need to pay attention to are your own.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Professionally, I work in the energy sector but hope to soon transition into sustainability reporting. Academically, I just completed my M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver. I’ve learned so much about environmental regulations and have a deeper passion for the subject. My capstone research project detailed solutions for addressing the negative impacts of the fast fashion industry on the environment and on textile workers.
I combat this industry on the micro scale through my own hobby – sewing. I have learned new techniques for creating and repurposing my own clothes so that I don’t have to participate in the fast fashion empire, and can instead enjoy fashion in a sustainable manner. My most recent creation was my graduation dress – a modern take on a traditional Filipiniana dress, inspired by my great-grandmother who was a dressmaker in the Philippines.
My artistic hobby that I am most passionate about is pyrography. Wood burning is my escape, my therapeutic obsession. I mainly burn natural elements such as plants, butterflies, and insects. I love learning new ways to wood burn and am always looking for new inspirations.
You can now find my pyrography art at Adore Boutique at The Forum Carlsbad! Stop by to take a peek at my shelf there. I am still doing custom orders, and you can reach me @embelinaa on Instagram or email me at [email protected].
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Improving these three skills has been crucial to my self-development: Work ethic, communication, and learning to rest.
Developing your work ethic will be unique to yourself. Find what works for you, and really dedicate yourself to it. I find myself to be most productive when I am home alone and it is quiet, and only myself can motivate me to complete my tasks. I thrive a lot with self motivation. Others may do well when they are surrounded by a group of people working, which is equally valid. I also start every morning by making a to-do list for the day in my planner. This helps me be prepared for what the day brings and I feel accomplished crossing tasks off of my to-do list. This also motivates me to keep being productive throughout the day.
Communication is another important skill that has helped me both artistically and professionally. I’m an introvert by nature, so I had to learn how to effectively build relationships with other creators and colleagues in order to progress. For me, it just took time and practice to learn how to communicate with others well. You’ll be most comfortable when you are being yourself, so keep that in mind when communicating with others.
As much as it is important to stay productive, it is equally important to learn when you need to rest. This is a big part of preventing burnout, too. Learn to listen to your body physically, mentally, and emotionally. Rest helps you stay productive in the long run, and I find I am more creative when I’m not absolutely exhausted. I produce better art and think clearer when I’m well-rested.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I have to say my biggest area of improvement over the past year has been my self-confidence. When I was just starting pyrography and sewing, I felt a bit uneasy stepping into these communities without much prior experience. It was particularly nerve wracking to begin market events where my very-beginner wood burns were on display. But over time, I slowly gained confidence in myself and in my art, and realized that people really do like what I create! Of course there’s an audience for everything, but again, the only audience that really matters is myself. I’ve noticed a lot of improvement in my creations as I gain more and more experience, and I’m doing my best to keep progressing forward. There will still be some off days, of course, but thinking of each creation as a learning experience has helped me grow as an artist and gain confidence in my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: embelinaa.com
- Instagram: @embelinaa
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-carter/
Image Credits
Danielle Sosa Brenda Diaz
