Mental Health for Writers
This post is as much for me as it is for all my wonderful fellow writers out there.
I’ve been going through a difficult season lately. Burnt out. Depressed. I dread walking into the office every morning because the front secretary always wishes me good morning and I don’t feel like I have a genuine smile or good morning to offer her in return. Although there’s a whole swirl of issues contributing to this stage of my life, I do think that writers – and other creatives – face a number of unique mental and emotional challenges.
Maybe these resonate with you?
1) Feeling stuck in our day jobs when all we want to do is write
2) Feeling lonely because there are whole worlds inside of us that are going unseen by publishers or readers
3) Feeling unseen by people who don’t know or care to know much about our creative work. This can be particularly painful when it’s people who are close to you – friends or family.
4) Rejection. Enough said.
5) Research has actually been conducted on the association between mood disorders and creativity. While not all of us deal with full-blown mood disorders, I do think that a lot of writers have the personalities and creative natures that make us prone to feel “big feelings,” as it were. This is an amazing asset in our work – we can craft some pretty butt-kicking stories that offer readers a keen insight into human beings. It can also be really difficult to deal with the all-consuming nature of our blacker moods when they strike – depression, anxiety, etc.
Whether or not these particular difficulties are something you can relate to, just being a human is stupidly difficult sometimes. In a world rife with various mental health crises, it can be hard to keep our heads up. I’d like to offer a few thoughts on how to combat the heavy thoughts and feelings that can come our way, whether they stem from our work as writers or simply from being a member of the human race.
Ideas
1) Find things to be grateful for. Seriously, it helps so much. Consciously think about the things that you appreciate around you at any given moment.
2) Think about something you’re looking forward to. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Just one, simple thing. Right now, I am looking forward to getting up and making a cup of hot chocolate before bed.
3) Don’t lie to people. No need to muster up fake smiles and I’m good, how are you? responses. You’re allowed to say, I’m not great right now and leave it at that. I also encourage you to really listen when people tell you how they’re doing. Sometimes showing love and kindness to someone else is the oxygen mask we need to keep us from suffocating in our own issues.
4) Do things that are genuinely relaxing. I personally love listening to music. Sometimes, it’s nice to do literally nothing other than close my eyes and take in some of my favourite songs. Books can be relaxing. The right TV show. A sport you love. A trip out into nature. A hobby you enjoy like cooking or painting. Tune into your body and try to figure out what’s right for you. If it makes you feel like you can breathe a little easier, it’s probably a solid choice.
5) Keep writing! Although I do believe there are seasons when writers benefit from taking a break, I also know that the very act of writing can bring life and joy for those of us called to the lifestyle. Don’t let your other commitments steal your resolve to write. Schedule a time for yourself when you give yourself full permission to write – at least, as best you can given your personal circumstances.
To-Do’s
1) Asses. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Have you gone through any dips lately? Have you been in the dip so long you don’t even remember what it was like before?
2) Whether you think you need it or not, do something to help support your mental health this week.
3) Consider talking to someone if you’ve been struggling. Being a writer can be isolating. Don’t make it lonelier than it needs to be. There are people out there who are rooting for you.