This quote by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama puts everything about mental health and art in a nutshell: Creativity is a gift that can enrich our lives and inspire others. But it can also come with challenges, such as stress, anxiety, self-doubt, burnout, and isolation.

In this episode, we will explore some of the common issues that affect creative artists, and I will also share some tips and resources to help you cope and thrive. Whether you are a writer, a painter, a musician, a designer, or any other type of creative artist, I hope you will find something useful and inspiring.

Your creativity matters. And your mental health matters, too.

Questions for exploration

* How do you define creativity? What does it mean to you?

* How do you measure your creativity? What criteria do you use?

* How do you balance your creativity with other aspects of your life?

* How do you currently cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues?

* How do you deal with creative blocks, feelings of burnout, imposter syndrome, or other challenges related to your work?

* How do you seek help or support when you need it? Who do you turn to?

* How do you practice self-care? What activities do you enjoy?

* How do you set goals and boundaries for yourself? What are they?

* How do you celebrate your achievements and strengths? How do you reward yourself?

* How do you experiment with different methods and perspectives? What are some examples?

* How do you adapt to change and uncertainty? What are some examples?

If you feel brave, share what you found on our community on Substack.

If you are interested in exploring mental health and creativity through a lens of storytelling, please also check out my newsletter The Sandman: Shadow Truths, which alternates with The Creative Cure and also has its own companion podcast.

You can also join my Facebook group or follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Petra Borzynski (2022): “You Have to Suffer for Your art”: About Creativity and Mental Illness

Equity global study finds those working in the performing arts are more likely to experience poor mental health | Equity Global Scoping Review (2022)

Thanks to Aleksey Chistilin of Lexin Music for creating the music.