Be Kind to Your Mental Mind

When you're talking to creatives about mental health it's important to remember that most people "suffer from" what the psychology world would call "mental illness". 

For some reason those of us who see the world differently have been labeled as ill. I am not a fan of this practice. I'm not a fan of this world in general, which is why I write poetry, draw, dream and search for the truth. Doctors attempted to label me for years. I don't do well with labels or with following directions... so as you can imagine I don't see doctors anymore. 

This does not mean I think this is the right path for every single person, however I do think most people need to look inward for solutions instead of waiting with open hands for psychiatrists to drop pills into them. 

My most significant advice for creative persons struggling with mental health issues is to: Know your limits and your cycles. 

 That phrase has been a cornerstone in my own personal growth and progression into becoming a professional writer. I know I have hurdles to overcome and in that recognition I try to accept my fate and work with it not against it.

When I am in those days where time is sucked away, when mornings turn to evenings before I can catch my breath; the hours blend and the clock tells me lies. I recognize I’m in a slump. Motivation drains away and my brain just cannot concentrate. I try to be nice to myself. 

I know I should be working on my novel at this moment, or I should be creating a new piece for Etsy or Redbubble. I should work on my book of poems or be researching info for my non-profit project. Oh and there’s my blog and Steemit and Instagram. There are so many things that bring me joy and satisfaction, I’m lucky really. I’m also lucky because I understand my cyclic behavior. I have played this game so many times that I’m finally gaining some confidence in my performance.

In realizing your natural ebb and flow of  creativity, motivation, sociability (in whatever really) you can give into the game and instead of resisting to play now you can learn the rules, learn to bend the rules and then one day to win. 

Life is full of battles - and there’s always that other old saying, “Better to be a warrior in a garden then a gardener in a war.” There is nothing to be lost in the search for personal inner-standing and accepting your biological rhythms. 

I don’t push myself during these reality shifts. I know how intense my ambitions will be as soon as they return so I’ve learned when I’m lost in time, when my body is not mine to let that inner-pusher die. I just do whatever is necessary, anything that must be done. I take care of my sons, go to the dreaded j-o-b but I let my creative brain rest. For however long it takes, sometimes days blend into weeks or all the sudden it’s December 13th and you’re still in the second week of November. 

But there’s always inspiration pockets here and there and I use those to my benefit. I praise myself for these small victories. 

The key is letting your brain rest in the right way. That means dropping the self-hate, the negative talk, stop scrutinizing yourself and blaming - it is your being and there’s nothing wrong with it. Would you blame the ocean for waves or the earth for seasons? 

Just allow yourself to break away from all the projects and the to-dos. Stop worrying about motivation and inspiration and just let yourself be. When you do feel that spark - go with it, chase it until you’re tired then rest - and congratulate yourself for your effort. Seriously. When you start beating yourself up for not meeting your word count for the day or picking apart your latest sketch half way through just take a break and shut it down. Remember why you love creating, remember your flow and trust that you will return and finish it... and above all else, be kind to yourself!