4 Reminders For Anxious,Depressed Creatives
4 Reminders For Anxious, Depressed Creatives | Photo by Külli Kittus on Unsplash
In her book Aesthetic Intelligence author Pauline Brown said, “Computers can and will solve more and more functional problems; they cannot and will not be able to deliver new and meaningful ways to reconnect us with our humanity.”
That my friend is where creatives come in. Whether you’re a photographer, writer, graphic artist, podcaster, musician, or marketer, the pursuit of creative endeavors is one that can never be replaced by any level of technological advancement. Art and imagination exist solely at the core of who we are as human beings. However, if you’re an innovator of any kind, you likely already know how uncomfortable diving into yourself can be, especially if you struggle with feelings of anxiety or depression.
So here are 4 reminders for all of the anxious/depressed creatives to hopefully provide you with some inspiration, solace, and of course, support.
4 Reminders For Anxious, Depressed Creatives
You Are Not Your Thoughts.
It’s no secret that when you’re in a dark or lonely place, your thoughts can feel all consuming. However, regardless of how low you may feel, it is important to remember that you are not any of the thousands of thoughts that pop into your head each day. And yet, it goes without saying that no matter how hard you try to rationalize or downplay an uncomfortable rumination, it’s still hard as hell to ignore.
In an effort to care for yourself as best as possible during those times, try to keep in mind that up until this point you have managed to overcome, move past, and see beyond every negative thought you’ve had in your life.
So odds are, you have the ability to do it again. It may suck, but with compassion for yourself you will find the strength to remember (and maybe one day even believe) that those meaningless thoughts are just that: meaningless.
It’s Always Darkest Before The Dawn.
Sure, this line may sound cliche, but it’s also very true. When we feel like things can’t get any worse, we’re usually just about to turn the corner toward something better. Unfortunately, we have to be willing to stick around through the hard stuff long enough to enjoy that highly anticipated pivot.
For anxious/depressed creatives, it can feel quite easy to fall into a personal or professional rut. We are human, after all. However, what sets the creative apart from the rest of the population is his/her ability to harness that struggle and make something magnificent from it. And so in some ways the darkness doesn’t just precede the dawn, it facilitates it. When times get tough, remember to hang in because greatness may be right around the corner.
You’re Not Alone.
Do you know how many Americans struggle with anxiety and depression? For generalized anxiety, which is currently ranked the country’s most common mental illness, the number hovers somewhere around 40 million. Similarly, in 2017 it was reported that an estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. Not to mention, nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.”
So why am I telling you this? Because the proof is in the pudding. There are literally millions of Americans struggling with anxiety and depression each and every day. And so, if there is one great thing that can be said about this form of struggle, it’s that we’re not in it alone.
Sure, only you can feel exactly what you’re feeling. But if you take the time to open yourself up to others, you will find that for every pain you endure, there’s someone else out there fighting a similar battle. With that said, allowing for a sense of community around our pain is what helps anxious/depressed creatives become so damn successful.
As humans we yearn for a sense of community. So whether it be through an art exhibit or a book about your experience, “your people” (the ones also affected by struggle), will find your work, and be grateful for it.
Sometimes You’ve Got To Turn Your Pain Into Your Purpose.
There’s a quote by Henri Matisse that reads “Creativity takes courage. ” And when it comes to anxious/depressed creatives, I believe no truer words have ever been spoken. In fact, I cannot think of a single endeavor more brave, than finding a way to transform a struggle into a calling. In life, we are always presented with choices, and when anxiety or depression hit, the situation is the same.
We have the option to throw in the towel and allow it to consume us whole, or we can ride the wave as it comes, finding a way to make meaning out of the pain we endure. Whether you choose to write, paint, podcast or design, the simple decision to “act” is in itself a feat of bravery, not only because it is allowing you space to move through your pain in a healthy way, but also because it is empowering you to make an impact.
There are quite literally thousands (if not millions) of people in the world who experience anxiety and depression every day and do not have the ability to do something with their pain. And so if what you create provides them with comfort, wouldn’t you say your struggle served a purpose?
—-
For every anxious/depressed creative reading this, I hope you know that even in the thick of it, what you’re doing and the imagination with which you are creating are more than just important, they have the power to change the world.
From Pauline Brown’s perspective aesthetics (something we as creators tend to provide) is what helps to keep the world’s greatest brands in business. On a more intimate scale your work may touch someone who goes on to cure cancer, or simply learns to love themselves.
Very few people and even fewer professions have the ability to create that kind of connection. So yes, while anxiety and depression are burdens no one wants to carry, they also may be empowering you to think differently, to find empathy for those around you, and ultimately, to make a difference.
If you liked this piece, don’t forget to check out 10 Journaling Depression Prompts For Better Mental Health