Although Miranda Lambert, 14-time CMA Award winner, is preparing for the release of her upcoming album on September 13, Postcards from Texas — her first under her new contract with Republic Records — she is also learning to relax. In an interview at Bunnie XO’s Stupid blonde In the podcast, which appeared on Monday (August 19), Lambert talked about how she is learning to balance work and personal life.

The musician recounted how she and her husband Brendan McLoughlin recently took a two-week vacation and traveled to Italy. “It was a bit panicky, but then once you get used to it, you really have to do it. You just don’t know you have to do it until you have the opportunity,” Lambert said.

The past year has been a hectic one for Lambert, who finished her Las Vegas residency last year. Earlier this year, she also signed her new label deal and is preparing to release her new album.

She also revealed, “I had a pretty high level of burnout last summer and I didn’t realise what it was until I was like, I think this is what we call burnout because I just didn’t take a break or one that was long enough. Just a few days in a row just wasn’t enough for so much busyness and so I think we have to learn to balance that. It’s really hard to relax and do nothing when you’re so driven. If you don’t refuel, it’s like you’re only functioning at 50% anyway. Refueling is so important – it’s just hard.”

Lambert also stressed the importance of living life to shape her music. “As a creative person, if you don’t let go and live your life, there’s nothing to write about,” she told Bunnie, who is married to Jelly Roll. “There’s no fuel. You know what I mean? When you’re constantly just moving on to the next goal.”

Bunnie XO noted that Lambert has been in the music industry for nearly 25 years, saying, “That’s a long time. And for you to just burn out like that last year? You’re a savage. You’re an animal!”

Lambert replied, “It wasn’t the burnout where I thought, ‘I’m quitting forever.’ It was just one of those moments — I’ve had those over the years. Honestly, that happens a lot to musicians in August — as you know, because you’re on tour (with Jelly Roll) — when you’re doing summer tours. When August comes, I’ve been hot all year. You’re playing outside. Usually in August, everyone says, ‘I don’t want to tour anymore.’ But then you take a break and you think, ‘OK, I’m ready again.'”

Lambert also noted that at 40, she’s more interested in selectively pursuing things that are useful. “You just say, ‘I really just want to do the good and not deal with the other noise that isn’t really important in my life.’ And I spend my time, whether it’s personal or professional, doing things that really enrich my life,” she said. “I love what I do for a living — that’s why I’ve been doing it for so long. But you can’t love it all the time.”

For Lambert, unwinding often means being with her beloved animals and riding horses. “It means taking time and also pursuing hobbies and practicing other forms of art. I just have to sit down. I don’t paint. I’m terrible at it, but I should try. I ride horses and stuff, I love that, and it’s physical and it’s good for the mind and soul. So making time for those things is important.”

She also mentioned that she enjoys shopping for antiques, saying, “I go to this place called Round Top in Texas twice a year and it’s just miles away – the biggest flea market ever… my friends Junk Gypsy, they’re a lifestyle brand and the heart of this whole vibe and they have a bed and breakfast called the Wander Inn. We drive around in golf carts, drink wine and buy old stuff. It’s heaven.”

Listen to Miranda Lambert’s chat with Bunnie XO Stupid blonde: