From Burnout to Brushes: How I Went Full-Time With My Illustration Dream
Burnout is a sneaky little gremlin. One day you’re hustling, ticking all the boxes, being the reliable one, the smiley one… and then bam, suddenly your joy packs its bags and moves to Scotland without you.
In fact, there was a time where I honestly thought I’d lost myself completely. And if you know me, you’ll know I’m usually full of beans, sparkly eyes, and way too many half-drunk cups of tea sitting around.
But back then? I felt like a ghost. Like I was just drifting through each day with no sparkle, and certainly no sketchbook in hand.
It was grim.
Before I became a full-time illustrator, I worked in healthcare. Yep, scrubs, shift work, the whole shebang. The pressure was immense, and it all slowly chipped away at me.
I realised, with a big ol’ lump in my throat, that I was no longer capable of providing direct care the way I once dreamed I could. So I left. I left my job… and I left the degree I’d poured five years of my life into.
It broke my heart.
I felt like I’d failed. Like I’d wasted time. I’d worked so hard, and still felt like I came up short. So, in a moment of “let’s just do something,” I picked up a paintbrush. I decided to block out all those negative thoughts buzzing around my head the only way I knew how; by creating.
That was the first spark.
Painting and drawing became my therapy. I practiced. I practiced. (And then I practiced some more.) I enrolled in courses. I let my hands get messy again. And slowly, gently, like the first warm cup of tea after a long day, I started feeling like me again.
Sketch by sketch, I started reconnecting with that curious, creative part of me I’d tucked away. I practiced. I played. I posted my work online (even the absolute howlers that made me cringe so hard I considered flinging my paper into the sea).
But you know what? Showing up, even when the art felt clunky, messy, or not quite right, was exactly what I needed. Bit by bit, I built up my confidence. I pushed past the voice in my head that said, “You can’t make a living doing this.”
Well… watch me now.
Fast forward to today and I’m a full-time illustrator (!!), running my own business, illustrating live at weddings and events, creating heartfelt keepsakes, and collaborating with incredible humans on deeply personal commissions.
And guess what? I’m still caring for people. Just in a different way.
The truth is, you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take one tiny step. Then another. Then maybe wobble a bit. Then another. Eventually, the path starts to clear. And somewhere along the way, when you’re not even expecting it, you find your spark again.
So, if you’re reading this and you’re in a bit of a slump, please know: things can turn around. Your sparkle hasn’t disappeared, it’s just having a nap. Wake it up gently, maybe with a pencil and a page, and let the magic trickle back in.
Hi! I'm Kirsty Wyatt, the artist behind For Keeps Illustrative, where I create vintage-inspired watercolour art with a touch of nostalgia. From live event sketches to heartfelt 'In Memory Of' portraits, I love capturing life’s special moments with warmth and elegance. Follow my journey on Instagram!