Burnout: The Good, the Bad, and the Lessons Learned
Burnout. I know all about it. For four years, I was in nonstop mode—posting, making music, sharing, streaming on Twitch to seven people, managing Facebook groups, shipping merch, connecting with fans, and creating music videos and anime music videos weekly. I barely came up for air. Even in the middle of COVID, I was recording on a beat-up Blue Yeti mic in a closet, just to keep the momentum going.
From 2018 to 2022, my whole life revolved around creating. Somewhere along the way, "Old Chingu" became my entire identity. "Chingu," which means “friend” in Korean, was a name I chose to reflect connection, though I laugh at the fact some people thought it was something else entirely. 💀
After my album with Tyler dropped in late 2021, I started to slow down and refocus. We’ve been holding onto a vault of unreleased songs, and I can’t wait to finally share them. In the meantime, creating this website has given me that second wind—a jolt of energy to pave a path that feels right and true to who I am today. This platform is where I can show all sides of myself, beyond just "Old Chingu."
Burnout isn’t easy, but for me, it’s necessary. It's a full stop—a time to hold on and take a look at who I am and what I’m doing. It’s forcing me to be more intentional, whether it’s refreshing my social media presence with a new IG page, @phileesteak (basically my website on social), or figuring out how to be consistent with what I put out.
There are people out there who would go bonkers for my content. I’m pumped to find that tribe, people who connect with my journey and with whom I can build a genuine community.
So, here’s my advice for anyone feeling burnout—embrace it. This pause might be uncomfortable, but it’s an opportunity to look at the big picture and reset. Step back, take a breather, and get clear on where you’re headed. This wall you’re up against? It’s a reminder that something in you is ready for a shift. Embrace it, learn from it, and get ready to move forward with purpose.
Much love,
Phil
