Artistic Self-Care

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Totally Abstracted, I return after a hiatus to share a personal story about the importance of artistic self-care. After a period of burnout, exhaustion, and creative struggle, I discuss how taking care of mental, emotional, and physical well-being is crucial for sustaining long-term creativity.

Key Points:

* I reflect on my absence from the podcast, detailing my journey through a busy work period that led to burnout and creative block.

* I share my attempts to reignite my creativity by experimenting with different mediums and the frustration that followed when nothing seemed to work.

* I open up about questioning my identity as an artist, feeling disconnected from my usual creative processes, and considering whether my art journey had reached its end.

* Despite these doubts, I continued to participate in art competitions, which kept me connected to my art even when I felt like giving up.

* A shift in focus to self-care: improving diet, quitting alcohol, and starting a regular exercise routine.

* As physical health improved, so did mental clarity and creative energy, allowing me to reapproach painting with a fresh mindset.

Artistic Self-Care Tips:

* Take Breaks: the importance of stepping away to recharge when feeling overwhelmed.

* Reconnect with Your Body: incorporating physical activity to help reset the mind and stimulate creativity.

* Simplify Your Process: creating without the pressure of perfection, allowing for experimentation and play.

* Limit Social Media Exposure: the draining effects of seeking validation online and the importance of setting boundaries.

* Pursue Other Passions: the value of engaging in other hobbies or interests to fuel creativity.