To all the Writers Suffering from Depression

It’s okay. Your desire to write will return. Your desire to do other things you love will come back, too. You’re not weak. You’re just having a hard time right now. Try not to add self-judgment on top of everything else. Depression is hard enough without blaming yourself for it.

We (in the US specifically) live in a productivity-obsessed, emotion-phobic culture which blames individuals for “failing” when they are anything but hyper-productive and relentlessly optimistic. This cultural narrative so pervasive that it’s difficult to see the high standards we set for ourselves for what they really are: Complete and total bullshit.

Despite the rampant cultural garbage that teaches us to interpret emotional ups and downs as an aberration, MANY writers and artists (and people in general!) struggle with depression and other mood “disorders.” It is not uncommon for us, among other things, to go through periods of hyperactivity followed by depressive episodes in which we get very little accomplished. I am not saying you shouldn’t try to alleviate your depression or work to find ways to minimize your suffering in the short or long term. I’m just saying there’s nothing wrong with you, and you aren’t alone.

I’m going to say that again:

If you’re having a hard time writing or enjoying writing right now because you’re depressed, you aren’t alone.

I wish I had some kind of magical answer. I don’t. But I do know that accepting your depression and loving yourself anyway beats the hell out of berating yourself for feeling like this. So, with that in mind, this might be all I have to offer:

I think you’re doing a great job. I’m sorry you feel like shit. I’m on your side whether you’re writing or not; whether you feel good or not; whether you’re being “productive” or not; whether you wanted to get out of bed this morning or not. You’re still a writer to me, even if you’re not writing right now. You don’t have to prove yourself to me or anyone else. I love you, and I hope you feel better soon.

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The Literary Architect is a writing advice blog run by me, Bucket Siler. For more writing help, check out my Free Resource Library, peruse my post guide, or hire me to edit your novel or short story. xoxo

Reblogging for myself because I need to hear this today.

Artists who know how to draw armors or very detailed clothing are powerful

oh to draw embroidery like Alexander Roslin does

See it’s stuff like this that makes me believe that selling your soul to the devil in exchange for talent was a real career track in the 1700s.

Jill Barklem’s desk

Giving thanks to all the artists who contribute to my joy. Life would be nothing without art.

my favorite part of impressionism is when artists just hung out and painted each other painting. 

oil paint isnt cheap, but john singer sargent wanted to paint his homie claude havin a nice day. thats sweet.

and heres gaugin’s painting of van gogh painting the sunflowers. damn he knew it would be #iconic and he memorialized the event. what a good friend

modern day equivalent: when u see ur friend tryin to get the perfect selfie and u take a picture of them taking it

I’ve really come into my own as an artist. I’m much more sure of my identity and understand it much better, and have accepted the fact that I like tojump around a lot in terms of who I am and what kind of music I create, and that it isokay—in fact, that is my main identity, the fact that I do that.

some things I need to remind myself daily tbh

Some Tips I Made For Artists

No, seriously, do it. Say it right now, aloud, in front of your computer. “I am a good writer/artist/musician/singer/whatever.” Just admit it to yourself. Because I swear when you do, your work will become better. You’d be amazed at what you can produce when you feel confident in your abilities.

“I’ll never be as good of a writer as Hemmingway/Bronte/Rawling!”, “I’ll never sing like Adele/Florence Welch/Joan Jett!”, “I’ll never paint like Picasso/van Goh/O’Keefe!”, “I’ll never draw like Davis/McCracken/MacFarlane!”, “I’ll never play like Hendrix/King/Cooder!”

No. You won’t. You will never, ever be as good as them. And they will never be as good as you. Every artist is unique. You have your own voice just like they had their own voice. Don’t try to be someone else; be you.

Wrote a shitty poem? Song? Manuscript? Paint something you didn’t like? Drew something wrong? Who. The hell. Cares? At least you DID something! That’s more than most people can say! You finished a piece of work. Be proud of that accomplishment.

This ties in with the previous tip. You’re going to do shitty things. It’s part of being an artist. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to create something great every time. Strive for it, sure, it SHOULD be your goal. But realize that sometimes you’re just going to do something that sucks, and then get over it and try to do better the next time.

I’m a writer and my best friend is a singer. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve told each other that we wished we had the others’ talent. This is a typical “grass is always greener” thing. Be proud of what you’re good at and enjoy it, because someone out there is wishing they were as good as you, I guarantee it.

Signal boost to ohcaptainmycaptain1918, thebestpersonherelovesbucky, and stephrc79 - amazing and talented writers, all.

This so important. You are allowed to be proud of yourself. You SHOULD be. Too many people are so quick to automatically stigmatize pride with arrogance; so anyone who so much as recs their own work or speaks positively of themselves/their art is labelled “conceited” and “just full of themselves”. No. You worked hard, and you created something. You’re an inventor of creativity. Be proud and apologize to no one - especially not yourself.

People have written a lot of touchy-feely pieces on this subject but I thought I’d get right to the heart of the matter

This is 1000% more motivating than every preachy “real writers write every day” post on all of Tumblr.

Just a friendly reminder to my artist bros

KEVIN SMITH: It costs nothing to encourage an artist

Jeanette Winterson on ignorance vs. distaste and how learning to speak the language of art transforms us – one of the best things I’ve read in years. (via explore-blog)

[sephko]

YO OH MY GOD THATS SO COOL

Here’s a handy dandy color reference chart for you artists, writers, or any one else who needs it! Inspired by this post x

Paul- Birdland

Simon Stephens

(via itsacrimescene)