Post Art-Um Depression
Yes, there’s a ‘p’ missing because we’re talking about an artist becoming ‘blue’ after their work is released—ahem—delivered.
When a baby is born, there’s typically a swarm of friends and family to ooh and aah as a family adjusts to a new member of their family. Once that passes, it’s easy for a new mom to take a ride on an emotional roller coaster that can pitch and dive right along with her hormones, her postpartum pain, her sleepless nights, retracting uterus, and so much more. I wish someone had told me about afterbirth pains after my second child was born!
I’ve just published my second book. For an artist (writer in my case), I can attest to a type of depression right that set in in spite of all the publicity and it reminded me of that nasty afterbirth pain.
Here’s what I’ve learned to do that keeps me going:
Call in your support team. Those who are closest to you have make a huge difference if you find yourself blue of in pain because your art didn’t make any bestseller list right after you published it.
Plan for a retreat so that you can take care of yourself. Completing a work of art is full of energetic demands as your psyche drives it toward a finish line. When it’s done, you might feel ‘done in’. There’s nothing like self-care, which you absolutely deserve. You need to restore and renew yourself. Do it!
Sometimes the people closest to you aren’t present—they are too busy with their own lives. I know how that hurts. I also know that we all have limits and that I, too have not been present at some of their important life events. Love one another. DO keep them posted on what’s happening; DON’T apply pressure.
Be creative in getting the message out to the ‘world at large’. Play, have fun, and express your joy. You are your art’s most important supporter. Yes, you’ll have days when you wish you’ve never ever thought of whatever you’ve created as a good idea. Those are the times to be gentle with yourself and your art. Embrace it all! You did it!
And of course, there are those events that thrill you—a wonderful review, a kind word from someone…sales! Oh la la! Bask in that…I really believe in basking (b-asking).
Like every birth, you are detaching from something that you’ve held close for a long time. You allowed whatever it is to be created through you—it takes courage to bring it forward. However, (damn it!) in any final analysis, it’s not yours. It belongs to that higher energy that you said ‘yes’ to in order to bring it to life. Love it! Nurture it! Appreciate how you have grown through your co-creative adventure. And then release it for its true purpose, which you may never see completed in one lifetime. It will return to you in due time—even if you don’t recognize it all grown up. Your art will live on!
Vivian!
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