Secrets of the Artist’s Mind?

The mind has always been a mystery, even for those who study it. Many people study the mind to unlock the secrets of the brain and its effects on us. Health of the mind, including anxiety and depression, is a very relatable subject to many, myself included.

Previously, I wrote Anxiety and the Arts and discussed anxiety, particularly for artists, writers, and creators, and how it affects us and our works. I want to take the discussions a step further.

However, this is a very personal and difficult topic to share. I usually struggle to talk about this as I am a very private person. It is often difficult to “open up” about depression and anxiety. There are numerous causes and effects it has had on me as a person over the years. Even when I was first diagnosed, loved ones were stunned because the secret of my inner turmoil was well-kept.

I will start by saying, I am not a doctor by any means. Nor am I a certified psychologist, cognitive therapist, or any combination thereof. My words are not meant to replace anything a doctor, therapist, or any other healthcare professional has said. These are merely the words of a wife and mother, an artist and writer, who struggles with her own battle with depression and anxiety.

My hope is to provide comfort, support, and, where appropriate, impart knowledge based on personal experiences and interactions. I am not perfect by any means. Some of the various advice and experiences are things I struggle with myself.

It is a classic “do as I say, not as I do” sentiment. Ironically, that is the thing about depression and anxiety. We may know something in our hearts is true, whereas our minds tell us otherwise. A perfect example of this is something that is very common with me. I often advise others to “open up” and talk about their concerns and thoughts. Especially when things are overwhelming. It sounds very cliché and possibly even obvious.

I plan to delve further into the artist’s mind with many more posts. Therefore, as this article is only delving into the basics, I won’t go much further, with plans to refer to it in the future. In other words, my focus for this article is simply to begin to share my experiences with other artists, writers, mothers, wives, or any person with anxiety and depression. Knowing others experience the same or similar feelings, emotions, and struggles, and may know that they are not alone.