5 ways creatives can manage anxiety 💪

Every creator needs to develop a toolbox of skills to access in times of stress or uncertainty.

Stress comes in many ways and in many different types. Often comes from outside of our control, whether it’s a divorce, a loss of someone close, or a loss of work. When trying something new, or expecting an exciting new project, we may even feel anxious and stressed. Regardless of the source, if you feel depressed you are not alone; you are only human.

In this post, we have discussed anxiety and how creatives handle difficult changes, overcome loss, and how creatives can manage anxiety so that they can return to creating. We tend to want a “quick fix” for challenges, but when dealing with anxiety, it’s better to think of it as a practice where you build and maintain.

𝟭. 𝗕𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁!

Anxiety is something that appears to develop over time, and we can help mitigate its impact through mindfulness — in both body and mind. Be aware of the signs of anxiety and try tracing it.

Think about where your anxiety is showing up. Does recurrent thinking show up? Is it nervous energy? Begin tracking what takes you into it, and what takes you out, as well as when it happens.

𝟮. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴…

Write down your wildest creative work dreams. Always start with the good. Think about what you want to achieve during your creative career. Think BIG! Think SUCCESS! You can do anything if you truly believe in it. Write down these dreams again, think about the best that can happen, think about the joy, the happy moments, and the goals to achieve.

But because writing down your wildest dreams can also be scary (How will I make this happen?! Can I really do this? Am I good enough? What if…) you’ve got to make another list. You have to start writing down… Your greatest fears and the worst that can happen. It really helps put things in perspective. When we’re afraid we tend not to really realise what we’re actually worried about. We are scared but we don’t really know what is to come. It will help you understand this by writing down the worst-case scenario.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲

Everyone needs to sometimes slow down and just breathe. Maybe try lying on somewhere calm, with no distraction. Close your eyes, and breathe.

If you can try practicing yoga and meditation. Yoga and meditation have a huge impact on mental health. All the breathing, the stretching, and the focus needed in a yoga practice are helpful to reduce stress. Take time to notice your breathing patterns and get in touch with your body that way.

Try this free 20min Yoga session for stress relieve: https://bit.ly/3eS98C3

Try out OMSTARS (14-day trial): https://bit.ly/2NIwJJl

𝟰. 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁, & 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲

Start listening to soothing music and noises, classical music. Listening to calming music will help you feel calm and almost stress-fee. Music has a powerful effect on people and how it can help heal.

Some recommended playlist:

The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World -> https://spoti.fi/3dLhoCF

Most Relaxing Songs Ever -> https://spoti.fi/3ijDiQY

Calming Music -> https://spoti.fi/31xCMc3

Try putting down your phone whenever you feel very anxious, and grab a book instead. Books are reflections of our cultures, they are little tellers of reality. I don’t think you’ll ever feel guilty when reading a book (unlike scrolling on social media). Comfort can be found in books. Books will make you feel less alone and help you understand how you can cope with the problems you may have.

Some book recommendations:
Notes on a nervous planet by Matt Haig (About mental health in our modern society and what’s really happening to us)
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (About creativity and ideas, and trusting the magic)
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (About finding your truth and your way)
Out of our minds by Ken Robinson (About Creativity)

𝟱. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁

It can be hard to talk about anxiety with other people. It’s always scary showing yourself as vulnerable, but we all are! And the more we share our fears and anxieties, the more compassion and love will be shown, and the better we will ALL feel about these issues.

Try reaching out to other freelancers, ask them questions, tell them how you’re feeling and ask them if they felt the same way.

Try these platforms:

• Use Wishu app to connect with like-minded creatives. You can connect with the founders (Lavena, Hubert, and James) who always are there to help you and guide you to the right place.
• Freelance Wisdom

Register to our upcoming webinar where we will address mental health support for the freelance community! We teamed up with The Circle Line, a team of individuals with a passion for understanding and helping others.
Get your ticket here: https://ga.co/2NJDg6J

If you wish to get any online video therapy. Try checking out The Circle Line: www.thecircleline.co.uk

Visit www.wishu.io for more blogs & resources around freelancing!