View this post on Instagram Like most creatives, I feel obligated to keep working and keep creating during this time. All the memes people keep posting, “nows the time to finish that script, that project, no excuses.” If you’re like me, those words of “encouragement” feel more like words of judgment on days I can’t get out of bed because the world I thought I finally had on track and was gaining momentum came crashing down. You may have nightmares from what we went through in 2008. All of this is perfectly normal and ok. And NONE of it is a reason to judge yourself. Anxiety for me is a huge “block,” it keeps me from writing. So I figured I would at least share some ways I help curb it so I can start getting creative again: 1) clean/organize your place and get rid of clutter. For some reason giving any kind of order to chaos helps me. If I have a clean space I can start to do the same thing in my brain. 2) Purge everything that is blocking me by writing it down. What am I scared of? What causes me the most stress? Be honest about it and call it out so you take away its power. ⠀3) If all else fails, move around. Get some endorphins going. 4) Turn off the News, social media etc. We get it. These are crazy unprecedented times, but if you get bogged down in the constant doom and gloom, limit your time you spend fixated on it. 5) Most of all, be realistic with your mood changes right now. If you struggle with anxiety and depression don’t think “I have to be HAPPY right now.” Instead aim for “neutral.” Aiming for “super happy will always have a “comedown” so why not aim for the center and just find whatever your neutral is? A place of “peace.” I’m grateful so many of you confide in me about your anxiety and depression and the struggles you’re facing right now. But just know you are not alone. Now more than ever. ❤️ ? @hoots.shoots #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #stayneutral #anxiety #depression #honesty #staycreative #creativity #writersblock A post shared by Jennifer Decker (@jennifersterger) on Apr 7, 2020 at 12:20pm PDT
Like most creatives, I feel obligated to keep working and keep creating during this time. All the memes people keep posting, “nows the time to finish that script, that project, no excuses.” If you’re like me, those words of “encouragement” feel more like words of judgment on days I can’t get out of bed because the world I thought I finally had on track and was gaining momentum came crashing down. You may have nightmares from what we went through in 2008. All of this is perfectly normal and ok. And NONE of it is a reason to judge yourself. Anxiety for me is a huge “block,” it keeps me from writing. So I figured I would at least share some ways I help curb it so I can start getting creative again: 1) clean/organize your place and get rid of clutter. For some reason giving any kind of order to chaos helps me. If I have a clean space I can start to do the same thing in my brain. 2) Purge everything that is blocking me by writing it down. What am I scared of? What causes me the most stress? Be honest about it and call it out so you take away its power. ⠀3) If all else fails, move around. Get some endorphins going. 4) Turn off the News, social media etc. We get it. These are crazy unprecedented times, but if you get bogged down in the constant doom and gloom, limit your time you spend fixated on it. 5) Most of all, be realistic with your mood changes right now. If you struggle with anxiety and depression don’t think “I have to be HAPPY right now.” Instead aim for “neutral.” Aiming for “super happy will always have a “comedown” so why not aim for the center and just find whatever your neutral is? A place of “peace.” I’m grateful so many of you confide in me about your anxiety and depression and the struggles you’re facing right now. But just know you are not alone. Now more than ever. ❤️ ? @hoots.shoots #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #stayneutral #anxiety #depression #honesty #staycreative #creativity #writersblock
A post shared by Jennifer Decker (@jennifersterger) on Apr 7, 2020 at 12:20pm PDT
WhatCulture's former COO, veteran writer and editor.