Getting Down And Not Feeling Creative
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
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Remember what John Lydon wrote: "Anger is an energy"? Sometimes CREATING is an act of resistance. Resistance to covid, resistance to fascism, resistance to "work buy consume die"
This! I’ve been so down about the news and the pandemic. Plus I have self imposed guilt because my husband is working ridiculous hours in truck assembly while giving me the freedom to create. My discipline has left me lately and I’m trying to figure out how to get back to that excitement I once had about being in the studio. We went to the art store today so I could get a neutral gray piece of paper to put under my pallet. Usually I get really excited to see all the materials; today I just felt “Meh”, bought my paper and left. But you’re right about not watching media right now. I’m hoping things will normalize much more after January 20th.
Normally, I would go to the art museum, Plein aire paint, walk in nature, etc., to feel better. But I’m hesitant to do Plein aire as one time I had a stalker who kept parking, staring, then driving away several times. Made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Plus, it’s winter! I used to swim, but the pool is closed due to Covid. That was my favorite mental health thing to do. Music helps lift me up in the studio as long as I stay away from most Harry Chapin songs, lol!
Thanks for posting this. None of us imagined this would go on so long. It does help to know we aren’t alone.
Someone committed on my art on Facebook that she feels lighter and happier after looking at my art. That I exactly what I am going for especially right now. Keep creating.
"If it's does something for you, it will definitely do something for someone else. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely for someone else."
You guys are wonderful! Oh, and Awesome! I head out to the woods, things make sense out there, negativity doesn't seem to exist even in the cold and rain.
Chronic depression here too; fortunately there is medication which works for me. Still, I do know that black cloud very well. You can't logic it away, because it grabs your logic and uses it against you! Sometimes I can rebuke those negative thoughts by saying "that is just the depression speaking" -- it doesn't stop the thoughts, but it does help me to distance myself from them.
As for news and social media... just a tiny trickle comes into this house. And thus has been the case for years, just to protect me from the overwhelm. A handful of people I follow on a handful of sites, because they are my friends or just interesting, but that is all. And no news; if it is important, my friends will mention it, and I'll know then. Otherwise I don't need to know.
(Note to self: start following more cat-twitters.)
Yep, ditto. And the meds have to be balanced right. If the depression is still a problem...news flash, your meds are wrong. Don't be me, I put up with it for twenty years and with migraines for thirty years before finding appropriate help.
One thing that really brings me out of “self” is complimenting others. You have a beautiful smile. I love the way you laugh. You handled that with such grace. Your employees were so helpful. These tiny little , genuine observations can have great impact when spoken aloud, both for the giver and receiver. My kids use to get so embarrassed when I complimented a complete stranger, but I’ve actually seen them do it more and more. There’s something about knowing that you might’ve made a difference in someone’s day that certainly makes a difference in your own.
Oh YES, very good point. Turning your thoughts outward, and noticing good and positive things around you, whether that be complimenting others or simply appreciating a cloudscape... these things are good habits to get into for anyone, let alone someone struggling with depression.
I loveee complimenting strangers. It makes me feel good to think maybe that person was having a bad day and they needed that little positivity even if it was a few words. The other day I was in a horrible mood and some random stranger approached me to warn me about my porch light timer not staying on. He was concerned that it wasn’t doing its job properly. He made a few jokes and made me laugh. Just the fact that another human cared enough to tell me about it and also made me laugh... turned my mood around completely. I forgot what I was even in a bad mood over... haha small acts of kindness result in big things.
@@jaxsonnoah8363 SCAM
@@coleremington6781 SCAM
Thank you for touching such an important subject. I have what I call my gray period, where I was creatively dead inside. I just went through the motions of living, being zero creative. I now take medication for depression and anxiety, and the sun literally came out. I am creative again, and truthfully, with this horrible past year, art kept me sane. Having things to look forward to gave me hope and created goals.
I pay zero attention to social media and news and try only to watch UA-cam, only those creators I know will leave something positive in me and comedy shows and movies on TV. Negativity and bleakness can stay elsewhere, not on my life.
Great advice being given here, so again, thank you. I adore you as well.
This was very nice to hear. Last year was a doozy; started out bad in January and just went downhill from there. Finally had a total crying breakdown at work in September and have been off since because of it. There have been good and bad days but the good ones are starting to pull even now, so I'll take that! On the bright side, I have decided to use this 'opportunity' to kick-start my art career (meh, I don't like that word. Makes it sound too work-ish!). Have discovered needle felting. Have also discovered needle felting is great stress relief (so much stabbing! Take that, evil wool! Muahahaha!). So that's one more to add to the looong list of arts, lol.
I'm rambling now, so to close, I will leave you with a First Aid message my sister had come up with and written on a spray bottle(?) way back in the '90s:
If swallowed: Go to the nearest public place, run in a continuous figure eight pattern while yelling "I'm a pretty butterfly!" at the top of your lungs while flailing your arms in the air until you feel better.
What can I say... it works. ;-)
Thank you for posting this and for letting me know that I'm not alone in how I feel. I've lost 3 friends (2 to Covid & 1 to cancer) in the past month so it did make my creativity go away for now. If I need a good laugh, I watch UA-cam videos of Gabriel Iglesias plus I watch alot of art videos. Both you guys are awesome. Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep sharing your thoughts.
Art is always a piece of soul we give to the world. I have been depressed and had many episodes that made me paint dark stuff to get out of it. now i do light and uplifting stuff all the time. People are awesome and need to feel loved and cared about. we all are a piece of the major puzzle that is humanity. Love to you all... Namasté 🙏
Hey guys, DEFINITELY share this!!
I knew you were struggling... I could see it.
Back in March my cousin passed away and we had her funeral on March 14 the state of Minnesota lockdown on that Sunday. Being that you guys had lived in Chicago you are totally aware that winters are kind of a hibernation time. And come March as midwesterners especially those of us in the colder states like Minnesota where I’m from March is the downslide to spring and we start opening the windows and you’re getting excited for all the stuffs... I had so many plans and what I was going to do in my studio that I had shown everybody I had a huge painting I was working on I had all these things that I was going to do. After being in our hibernation State already all winter long and then they locked our state down because of Covid. My youngest daughter was a senior in high school. She didn’t get to have her senior prom. She didn’t get to have a graduation ceremony. And she didn’t get to have a graduation party. I already suffer from chronic depression and I to have suicidal tendencies. I had three attempts before I turned 25. Once I had my kids at 27 28 1/2 and 30 they helped keep me out of that state of mind. But I still suffered from the depression throughout the years. Watching my daughter trying to process her entire senior year of high school Being altered in a fashion no one could’ve seen, it broke my heart that I couldn’t fix it for her and that started to worsen my depression. My family and I are very very close we spend the entire summer together camping they all come up here to my property I see my mom and dad all the time they either come up here or I go down there same with my brothers all of my nieces and nephews spend the entire year coming up here every weekend. I’ve had absolutely nothing this year my dad‘s kidneys are at 20% functioning and my grandmother is 90 years old to keep both of them safe obviously we have not seen them we have not done family Gatherings or anything and my husband his job was deemed essential how I don’t know because he is at an animal rendering plant. He’s been working 12 hour days 6 to 7 days a week since March because the third shift guy quit just as the pandemic started. So I have literally been home almost every single day by myself all day long out in the middle of the country which normally I like and enjoy because I can go and visit people if I want to and when I want to. I’m a people person and that made my depression get even worse I finally sought help again and got on medication again couple months ago. Because I have not created anything in almost a year. And like Andy I have all the supplies I have all of the ideas that the video about the hamster wheels the hamster is going around and head that goes all the time but the depression takes over and I said and I’m lonely. That’s why I haven’t participated a lot in any of the discussions I just feel so far out of the loop of everything right now. And I don’t like to be one of those that wants to be the Debbie downer to everyone else so I’ve just kind of stepped back and watched everybody stuff on Discord and the videos because I thoroughly enjoy them. I am trying very hard with seeing a therapist virtually or a video every couple of weeks trying to come out of the funk. I have my van ready for when it’s safe to start traveling. I’m turning my living room into a new studio As soon as my son is done recovering from Covid he is going to come and help me move everything around. And I’m going to try to pull my bootstraps up and get out of this funk. So that anybody else going through all of this just know you’re not alone. And know that this group of people that we have here are some of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting! Rafi and Klee I just thank you for bringing all of us together. And for being who you are. Just know that we appreciate the two of you more than words could ever say! And always remember I’m here for both of you!♥️
Awe, Charity... Hugs for you. I have missed seeing you around but I understand as much as I am able or from my own point of this past year. If you ever want to talk... I have posted to you on IG.
I finally posted about this on fb yesterday, I don't usually try and share when I'm feeling depressed but yesterday was overwhelming and I waited till later and then posted that I'd ha a hard day if it. I feel like sometimes it's nice for others to see posts that acknowledge the crappy feelings as well as the joyful ones. After all we are all human. A couple of people told me that my art posts brighten up their daily wall in a sea of crappy news, and I was heartened by that. Also people purchased my work yesterday on my website so I feel good that someone needs it in their life. Your quite right, there is definitely a point to art.
I’m so depressed I can’t do anything no matter how hard I try and I could careless about news. Yes we need some tips n tricks YOU GUYS ROCK thank you for this video
Please don't be afraid to seek medical help because that sounds like more than a casual problem.
@@BronzeDragon133 I have been but so far every med don’t help
Keep on trying with the meds. I had to try about 7 different meds until I was on something that helped. It's heartbreaking, frustrating and painful hoping the next thing will work but hang in there.
I have not been able to get out of that dark space. I'm an essential worker, and since some people quit, and others are sick I've been getting more hours and less time off. I am exposed to some angry and also careless customers. I've worked at my job for 3 years and this is the first year I've witnessed a code yellow (violence) with police having to be called and it's happened more than once. I have not been able to get back to a place where I can be an artist. I am too tired when I get home. I did end up speaking with my boss and booked a vacation. I hope maybe then I will be able to create again. Watching you guys has been essential for keeping my connection with the art world in a way and my sanity. I just want to thank you so much for that.
Thanks for sharing this now. Never too late. That foul inner darkness finds things to feed it and sucks it all into you and darkens even the brightest day. It's a lonely place even around loved ones.
I think creating even through the darkness and even if I don't feel like it helps to bring me back. Cutting off those 24 hour news feeds helps too.
Concentrating can be hard to do, so I try to meditate for even a few minutes to build my concentration back.
Therapy, gratitude and reading good fiction have helped me too.
So many people need to hear that others go through this too and they're not alone. Even though it sure feels like it when it's happening.
Thank you both so much!
Are we artists prone to mental illness? One of my professors in school once told us that a lot of famouse artists battled mental illness and didn’t take meds for it because meds killed their creativity. I wondered this every time I see a commercial for meds for bipolar depression and there’s always an artist on the commercials 😳 On a positive note the songs Rafi were combining were “Feelings” and the classic “She’s a Lady” 🙂👍🏻
I think it would depend on the illness and the meds. Chronic depression darn well doesn't give me more creativity! The opposite! The meds I take (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help me not want to kill myself. Yeah, no way would I stop my meds. Van Gough may have been brilliant, but if he'd had a way of treating his depression, he would have been brilliant for longer. As for other illnesses and meds, I can't speak to that. I've heard that some meds for some illnesses may make the person more stable, but it does so by flattening all their emotions, so I can kind of get why they're caught in a dilemma there. But it is hearsay, though: I don't know anyone personally who is in that situation. So it may be an urban myth... just like the myth that all Poets are mad.
Probably there's no correlation. People in any field battle mental illness (dentists and police suffer the greatest, actually, with nurses not far behind). The more bohemian and rulebreaking a person is, the more likely they are to admit to it in public. Hi, I'm Dragon. I suffer from clinical depression and atypical migraines. I'm also male and 52, so that's really unusual as well.
One of the migraine meds I started taking stopped so much of my...well, constant pain...that my creativity went through the roof. It reduced my measurable intellect a bit, but since I didn't have a constant shattering headache, I could also apply the remaining intellect and had the energy to create. I started to scatter pretty things all over the planet as I passed.
I was very grateful for the diagnosis and prescription.
I have chronic depression for decades. The meds I take dampen down my motions. Making art is what keeps me going. I’m a mediocre artist, never selling much, however, it keeps me out of bed. I used to have euphoria, but the depressions that followed were not worth it. My main way to keep going when I hit a creative block and all my art is rubbish is I go swimming.The water is therapeutic in a soothing sense. Thank- You for sharing your struggle with depression. It always helps to know you’re not alone, even as we are on our own.
I appreciate how real you always are, and I needed this talk today ❤️
As a teenager many years ago I realized that listening to music helped me to create and design. And it still does to this day. A few months ago I came across K-Love on the radio and found the songs to be inspiring and healing especially with all the crap that is going on in the world around us. I listen to K-Love at home and especially when creating my art pieces. And I listen to K-Love at work to drown out the negativity that people choose to bring with them every day. One song I especially like is Danny Gokey's, "Haven't Seen It Yet." Love to all who are feeling lost. Good things are coming even when we can't see.
Thanks for sharing! Life is hard, sometimes it’s overwhelming and crushing, so important to talk about it all
Your channel helped me cope with the last 4 years of crazy stuff. I got addicted to doom scrolling and ranting. You remind me of the importance of living and seeing beauty and comedy in life. I got vaccinated today. I feel like hope is on the horizon, maybe I can stop isolating and start living again. I want to trade my comorbidities in this year for 'health fanatic qualities' and laughter. Much love for you and Klee, thank you for all you do to inspire hearts and minds.
I am no stranger to depression either. I was on some serious meds for it for almost 25 years. Thankfully, I am no longer suffering in its grips. For me it was a "situational" depression - I was engaged in a career that drained me, living an inauthentic life that drained me. It wore me down to the bone. While I still have occasional days where I become symptomatic - I consider these perfectly normal - it's HUMAN to feel a full spectrum of emotions. My best advice - Turn off the news. Stop comparing yourself or your life and art to others - if social media sites like Facebook trigger comparisons for you - stop going there. My number one suggestion - Begin each day with gratitude. The shortest prayer that can be uttered is "Thank You" - I begin every day of my life by saying that out loud before I get out of bed. I also keep a Gratitude Journal where I list a minimum of 3 things a day that I am grateful for. My number two suggestion is - Be in the service of something or someone who needs help. Volunteer opportunities abound everywhere - especially now. I have found that when I am in the service of others it is impossible for me to feel sorry for myself or depressed. Much Love to all of you. ***HUGS*** ua-cam.com/video/YeSdQmO51Ps/v-deo.html
Creating my Art gives me reason to live. No one else can be me and do what I do. It also stops my brain from eating itself. I went through a very bad time where I was on the other side of a thick glass wall that let me see but cut me off from what was going on around me because it was just too painful to deal with. It's getting better because I'm being as kind to myself as I can be and weeding out my garden of self-talk of all the crap people have put in there that just isn't relevant or true. I had pretty much stopped creating for a long time. Art requires me to be open and I'm learning how to filter what I'm open to. Thank you Rafi & Klee for encouraging us to empower ourselves. I'm trying to use my Art to do that.
I started watching funny things as well and also watched children's cartoons after my operation. I was really down and stressed out and needed something to take my mind off things. Thank you for this video!
My favorite artists! Thanks for the uplift!
Awww! Thank you so much!
Yep, I've learnt to separate myself from the bullshit and stop doing things that feed 'the black dog'. It still visits from time to time, but I've found distractions are key. Learn to say no, learn to break the routine and don't watch TV, that shit is poison!
This is something I needed to hear today. Thank you both for this important message
Thank you Thank you Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I found depression to be a friend in the sense that it forces self reflection and deeper understanding as you try to mine the causes of the depression. This corvid thing is different though because its being imposed from outside. And it's turned outside people into bullies.
I've been been needing to get back into creating, but i am my own worst enemy. I get into a funk quit often. I pull myself into a hole, then have to fight myself to get out of it. There is absolutely nothing I can blame for it, This pandemic has had no effect on my life, as most of everything else going on. I have panels to make, canvases to stretch and brushes to clean, along with a house that is a total disaster. I never thought I would need someone to nag me about getting things done. I know I will get back to creating, It usually takes me getting mad enough at myself to start throwing paint on a canvas and sit back and stare at it and see what lies beyond the smears that is yearning to come out. Sorry, I feel like I'm rambling and will stop now. Love you guys
How to create art: first, it has to pass the existence test. Then you can fix its imperfections.
You two are awesome and very insightful and I just discovered your videos today! I appreciate your openness and honesty and agree with what you have to say. Coming from a woman who just turned 70 and also an artist, I love listening to you! Thank you!
Lift me out of it stuff: Flow-thought journaling, watching the sunrise, gratuitous prayer, touching nature (plant leaves, grooming my horse), walking in nature, holding my pets, crying (Where the Red Fern Grows always makes me cry).
play. sing. dance. laugh. be silly. be like a child and spin it out with your arms wide... paint. sculpt. create. the stick men hate all those things and they slink back under the rocks where they belong.
I often have troubles with mental health, anxiety and depression, but I don't necessarily try to lift myself out of them. I look at it as a ebb and flow. During the ebb times, I try to do other things that are also important, like cleaning my studio (it gets messy when I in a flow) and boring tasks like color mixing guides for painting. Then I am still contributing valuable things to my creativity but I am not punishing myself for not being creative in that moment.
Great talk guys... We all needed that pep talk... Thanks.... I found myself getting stuck lately so I've kinda did what you guys did... Tuned Out and Chilled with Movies and nurturing the soul kinda stuff. Other than a few weeks of a harsh lack of motivation... I tend to find joy and the act of creating art... There will always be a place for art in the world.... SO CREATE.... there's never a point... other than the fact that... as Artist We Have to.... Create!
@Tim Probasco agreed! As I listened to this one I kept thinking- “Wow, I really didn’t realize how much I needed to hear this right now!” So easy to feel like you’re the only artist going through a sad slump, especially now with the pandemic. I’m in the US and just holding on to get thru this big week that is upon us. Hoping for a major energy shift after that.
I'm so glad I can check out your UA-cam archived freely, your content totally has replay value for whatever I may be experiencing in my world
Thank you for this! This vid is my life for the last idk how long. I had quit TV and the news, completely in 2016 for a few years but recently got sucked back into the maw. I'm fighting to get back out now. I'm trying to view the questions, the pointlessness, and does art make a difference to the world, and finding a separate peace, as kind of school classes and lessons. I know art in all forms does help people. But I'm reaching for acceptance that mine, specifically, doesn't have to help the Whole world, and if it just makes ME happy, it will make someone else happy and that's enough. Overthinking can be a real prison.
Wow!!! That was a beautiful video. Thank you for sharing. I’ll be watching this one repeatedly... Hugs from SoCal. 🙋🏻♀️
I am so glad I finally watched this. This topic is so relevant to how things work. Not just in the pandemic, in every day.
As a child I had a dad that was horrid; he constantly berated me and told me I was an idiot, I'd never amount to anything, and did things I won't get into here. Then growing up I had all these insecurities and listened to bad advice which led to bad choices. Today we have a very negative society- like you said, the news is crazy negative and this works in tandem with the advertisement that basically say "Hey, if you buy OUR Stuff/service you'll be HAPPY!!" So there's this tug-o-war of others trying to possess your feelings and manipulate your reaction/response to their benefit. My answer(and yes I still go through ups & downs) is my faith: I won't go into it too much other than to say I have learned to LET GO. The more I put my attention on the things I have no control over the more it has control over me, so I have to let it go and concentrate on what I can do. Then there's rest- not just sleep- but REST; the place of letting go allows you to find peace. Life is challenging, but challenges don't have to defeat you, they can be beneficial depending on your response. Learning to choose what/who gets your attention and when brings wisdom. With wisdom comes peace. When you have your peace then creativity comes alive. It's a learned process through experiences, but well worth the end result. Wishing everyone Great Peace and Flourishing Creativity!!!
Oh yes, advertisments are a great lie. They are an enemy of happiness, because their purpose is to make you discontent with what you have -- and yet cultivating contentment with what you have is really the secret of happiness. Pursuing happiness will just make happiness flee from you.
❤️❤️❤️prayer and thanksgiving is key for me and limiting news to almost zero!
I've lived with depression, mostly anxiety - which caused my hopelessness since I was about 7. Five years ago I overdosed and woke up 3 days later in the hospital. I try to be grateful that I wasn't successful and remind myself what a gift life is. It isn't always easy and I wish there was a simple remedy for everyone suffering. One foot in front of the other. Art, music, nature, animals... find what helps you feel awake. 💙
Glad you're still here. We have important things to share with the world.
Thank you Janama. I agree. 💙
You guys are so incredible and authentic. There is so much truth in your channel. I am so glad you guys are talking about this during this difficult time. Love you both so much. Thanks guys
Thank you so much for this Rafi and Klee. This was a great video. I made a choice to look for positive content to watch and have been taking more time for my faith. I also try to enjoy the little things...so the who family couldn't be here for Thanksgiving...I had more time to really visit with my brother and connect with him. I have been trying to be understanding of others feelings...even if they are not the same as mine. Honestly your videos have been a great help. They are a special light for me in the darkness and I think we can all do that for each other. Thank you again.
I also do leather crafting and pretty much cold turkey stopped watching one brand's videos on UA-cam (I was catching every live stream and new video) when he made a comment like if you want to do something, just do it, it's not hard get over it. It was before 2020. Saying something like that to me only makes me want to die a dramatic death. I really appreciate your videos because it's never that way.
Normally I don't watch the news ever. Just check the weather 🌄daily . I Stopped doing art for sale, focused on my garden. But is it sketched mandalas every nigth before bed. Then when months went by had few ideas and made some new things for a two small fest. that I had in October and November. And here I am making sculpted trees for Weddings again. 🌳
Why worry for things that we can't control. ✌💚🎨
Thank you. As always!
Thank you for this video! It's great to hear your opinions and advice on these issues. It's very helpful.
So glad you shared this, sending lots of love - Taurie xxx
Julia Cameron recommends taking yourself on an artist date. Go look at some art, play with your art supplies. I try to clean and organize my studio (which looks just like yours) and I either end up with a cleaner studio, or I find something inspiring. Self medicating with vitamin Bs also helps.
Susan Shaw- ahhh yes, I remember Artist Dates! Used to love those before the pandemic. Cleaning the studio is always a good remedy for me too. And YES to B vitamins! And Vitamin D. I take them daily.
This was recorded 1 year ago. This hits home so much to me. Since losing my job last year I dove right in to my art. Being isolated for 2 years (I previously worked remote and we all lost our jobs) now I have been feeling like drowning in a deep, deep hole and when I do get out I find myself to get back home like NOW. I know it makes me feel worse but this is where I am at in my life. I try to paint happy, pretty things but, ugh. I feel lost. 😪 but this video made me feel better 😊
Wow! I just found u guys and have seen 3 of your vids. Both of u are such an inspiration. I'm a nurse by career, but also do art. It's my happy place. Have always done some kind of art all my life. The last 4 yrs I've contemplated selling it. I have sold a few pieces, but havent put it out there on media or websites.. because I've been in/out of ruts.. what helps me when I wanna create, but "I'm just too tired" is to go for 5 mins and then just bring out some art supplies that i would be needing for that project and then come back another time..
glad to see & hearing you- you two have got it - thanks- not painted seen it started, in march-, but i do other craft's- keeping busy-
67 yr. old Bipolar survivor here-- You are allowed to just BE. It is OK to not be FAMOUS. It is OK not to be a SUCCESS. It is OK not to be PRODUCTIVE. Old Will Shakespeare said that "All the world's a stage". Life is the play, it goes on and on. Don't leave. You might just be in the audience, but you're still taking part. Or, maybe you are backstage painting or moving scenery, or designing or mending costumes. Helping the actors dress. Maybe you will get a bit part, and go on for a minute, and your one line changes the narrative. Or, maybe nobody could hear you, or they didn't notice you. But you know you played your part. Maybe something crazy happens, and suddenly you are THE STAR. Whoa! Too much, no thanks! Too much pressure. But the play is so long, THE STAR only has a part for a while too. Then that is over, and, time to sit in the audience again. DON'T LET THE WORLD, WITH ALL ITS DELUSIONS, GET YOU DOWN. It's a very long play. The important thing is just to stay at the theater for as long as you can make it. Be there with the rest of us. Just BE.
Argus Fleibeit as a visual artist with a theater background- thank you for this beautiful metaphor! It’s so true. We are all just actors playing our parts. And every part is essential to the how beautiful show. 💌
Totally understand! Tough areas to go through when it happens. But I have accepted it as part of my human experience. But I am a very positive and giving person. A yang and yang world. Enjoy you guys. Stay well
Sounds like a true artist to me 😁❤ thanks for your videos 👍
Wow so much of what I've been going through as well and agree that the news just makes it worse so I too had to turn off the news because it was just too much. I too am trying to focus on gratitude and appreciation as well to try and pull myself out of the gloom. It can be a constant struggle at times. I am trying to get back into creating for myself after basically not doing much creating at all last year. You guys are awesome and have been an inspiration to me and I really appreciate it.
Even though this is 1 year year ago I can totally relate. I have had long term depression for most of my life. I do the same go in to shut down. Since I last my job 2 years ago and am now at the point to get back out there I struggle with self esteem issues only because I had a great job and a company came in only to restructure the hospital system to let go of 1,000's and I mean 1,000's of jobs. I try and paint to make me feel good. When they sell I am happy to bring in some income but it feels forced. I'm praying I can get out of this negative head space because it can get really dark and bad thoughts come into my head as in "why should I live anymore". I'm praying things turn around and I can start feeling better. I know I am worth it but I want to FEEL that way again. My prayers are with you and all!!!
When there are a lot of stressors in the world and within me at times...I find it disheartening when people portray; 'always look on the bright side' or 'always be positive'. This kind of message isn't even realistic. Yet it seems like influencers take it upon themselves to suck it up and be positive. I prefer realness. I prefer true connection and I acknowledge that when I feel really crappy and depressed at times, and when I come across the 'happy at all cost' message, I feel more isolated. Having said all that, I certainly agree with what you've shared about gratitude. I appreciate your transparency here. As far as tips/tricks....very challenging; I yo-yo alot. When I feel depressed, I tend to inquire within and choose to be present with the emotion rather than fluff it off. But I also, the very next time; I distract myself, fluff it off greatly and watch netflix LOL!
Oh yeah, I hear you with the "always be positive" crap; like when I hear Christian songs that berate you for not rejoicing all the time -- that's kind of like the saying "The beatings will continue until morale improves." But I have to say, on the other hand, that Puddleglum the Marshwiggle (from the Narnia stories) is one of my heroes. Why? Because when they were caught in these crappy situations, he kept on pointing out little positive things, in a "it could be worse" sort of way. Like, "we may be prisoners underground, but at least there won't be any rain." It's a kind of "ironic positivity" that appeals to me, and it's a habit I have gotten into.
i understand this. THANKS FOR SHARING.
I highly recommend having a pet in your life. They bring comfort, joy and love. We need to remember that when there is change, there is chaos. We are in the process of moving from an old paradigm of fear, hate and lies to a new paradigm of love, compassion and truth. When you understand this, you know that the chaos that is occurring is happening for a good reason and that things will be better even though it may not seem so at this point. We need all of the creators we can get to help this process by all of us contributing our collective energy of love and compassion. Everyone needs to remember their true selves and that is that they are love and that they are creators. All of the fear and hate in the world is because people have forgotten this. To help to keep your spirits uplifted, here are some comedians that I have found very helpful: Gabriel Iglesias, Jim Breuer, Tiffany Haddish, Wanda Sykes, Tammy Pescatelli, Russell Peters, Michael MIntyre, K-Von, Sarah Millican, Ralphie May, Max Jobrani, John Branyan, Jo Koy, Danny Bhoy, Jeff Allen, Greg Morton.
Priscilla Studstill agreed with all three of your points- pets, paradigm shift and comedy! All good medicine for what ails so many of us these days.
I needed this 🙏🏼
As George Harrison said, Beware of Darkness
👍👍
James 😁
I'm on anti-depressants. It took a really long time to find the right ones for me, but they help a lot.
I found my personal theme song. (Tango to Evora by Loreena McKennitt, ua-cam.com/video/GzOGVBFXUGk/v-deo.html if anyone is wondering). I play this song when I get up in the morning. I have a back thing, so I can't really dance, but I do try to do some moving to the music.
I'm also subscribing to the "half ass it" method of getting through the day. Can't take a shower and wash my hair? Just half ass it, rinse my hair and wash my body. Can't do my creative thing for the day? Just half ass it, set the timer for 15 minutes and do what I can. At the end of the 15 minutes, maybe I'll stop, maybe I won't.
Too often (IMO) we see the world in a dichotomy of choices. 1 or 2. "Either do or do not do, there is no try." I think this false dichotomy isn't helpful to those of us that are struggling. There's almost always a third choice (and a fourth and fifth). If I can think beyond "I can't do this" to "What can I do?" I find that I can do more than I thought I could.
Thank you !!!! Besitos
PS I did that long thing on talk to text I hope all of it came out right LOL it wouldn’t let me edit
I love gettin' down. Put on some music and ju...oh, that kind of getting down. :-) I tend to channel negative energies into my art anyway. Unhappy? I paint. Happy? I paint. The lasagna is done? I eat. Then paint. It's shocking that I'm not better at this than I am, really.
Raffi 🙂❤ Have to tell you, Im not surprised you suffer from depression. The numbsrs of people with depression would probably really surprise most people. So obviously Rafi you are not alone, and I dont try to minimize it by saying that.... Given what you've said about family history, being isolated with covid, being an artist is an isolating occupation.... Given ALL THAT, Rafi.... Secretly, I have been so IMPRESSED with your strength as an artist, as a person.... That goes for you too Klee!!!.... I am so impressed, in augh,.. of the two of you.
Really, truthfully, ....anybody in their right mind would be depressed with the crap that's going on now!!! (It all makes me so mad!!!).
Im not going to tell you MY STORY because it involves the murder of my dad at a nursing home, the theft of a family farm by my brother a covert narcissist and his lawyers, my own almost bankruptcy, ... ALL THIS because I had Narcissists, and a Sociopath in my life. The past ...about 5 years have been traumatizing and pure demonic hell!!! I had really wished, at the ripe old age of 55 that I had educated myself as to WHO, WHAT, WHERE.... you will find/know these people!!! Because they hide in plane sight!!! and you dont know WHO/WHAT they are until they snare you and drag you into hell. ☝BUT😃 Something very good came of this... I got religion. Ooops! NO!!! I found the Lord Jesus.
And this may not make sense to those who havent gone through this trauma yet... But its a DEVISTATING BLESSING that WAKE s you up to who you really are and brings you right to where you should be... back to your Loving creator, God the father Jesus Christ.
Thanks Rafi and Klee... The two of you are BOTH ... SOME INCREDIBLY STRONG PEOPLE. IM ALWAYS IMPRESSED WHEN I SEE "They're at it again, another video." Beautiful! If you guys could see yourselves from our point of view... You guys are just astounding!!!
Sorry I go long... I just wanted you to know.🙂 Your Loved.🙂❤👍🙏
First and foremost, I turn off all of the fear mongering and low vibrational media crap. I watch comedy, dance, sing at the top of my voice, of course at perfect pitch (nah, totally off tune). I have a f@*k book that I rage in, I don't necessarily write in sentences, I just write whatever comes to mind, in any manner. I write with any medium, pen, pencil, marker, paint, etc. I write sideways, upside down, etc. I just get it out. Sometimes, I just cry and let it out. That's just a few things that I do.
This is why I WON’T watch the news... I hope the chaos stops soon! EDIT : if you’re struggling with ANYTHING please, please, tell someone you trust, and please try therapy for mental health... There’s NO shame in asking for help when you need it!!!!!
Might sound harsh but I personally think it is a bad sign if depression makes you stop expressing yourself. If anything I think you should feel more inclined to create. Creating should feel like breathing: you do it when you feel up or down. You might breath normally, gasp or pant at hard times but it keep you alive no matter what.
That's not how actual depression works for me anyway. It's not about just feeling down or upset. I literally have trouble taking care of myself, basic necessities like showering and eating, when I'm actually depressed. You self-sabatoge yourself and have trouble doing anything you enjoy. Telling someone they "should" want to create all the time especially when they are depressed is not helpful in my opinion and actually pretty harmful and makes it harder to do. Yes, creating would probably help, but when you're in that mind frame, all the "shoulds" in your life seem so oppressive. Even the things you normally enjoy. It's better to just accept the state you are in and know that it won't last forever and start to do anything that may help. "Anything" could be brushing your teeth.
@@leslie4320
EXACTLY!!
Um yeah. Watching the news is a bad idea. I haven’t watch the news in about 3 years. I did watch the Capital crap because everyone was at work. I am much happier not listed to the garbage on the media.
um, yeah. this is an important message on a million levels.
When I get down, I come here. Listening to you and Klee makes me feel better.
Me too ❤
Thankyou both, I really needed this at the moment, I have been feeling like...’what is the point’ massively and to know I’m not alone is a high help. You two are both really important to me and many other people- just wanted to say that. X
Joy! That’s what is needed. You’re right about the media bringing people down, it’s become an industry that feeds off of sadness and fear. The other night I pulled my lava lamp out of the basement and brought it to my room and turned it on for the first time in probably 20 years just for the sheer joy of it. I was excited it still worked.
I always care about what my favourite artists are putting out there! I follow a few different creators simply because it sparks joy in this dark and difficult time in our world. Never feel that your content is irrelevant because it creates community. And community, even 6feet apart or virtually, is what is going to bring us together during and after this experience.
I suffer from dark days and "meh" weeks too...in fact, yesterday was the first time in months I was able to paint again! But I try to look for joy, even in the darkest days, and your content is often the answer! Thank you for openly addressing this subject. I think most of us are together in this. Hopefully we can pull each other out of it too.
So grateful to show this comment about your struggles, thanyou thankyou thankyou, We WILL HELP OTHERS .
I find writing to be helpful. Pen to paper, not typing. Write a letter to a trusted friend, family member, or even your future self. Writing by hand forces a level of clarity because it slows your thoughts to allow your hand to keep up. Write about the things you feel, the things you miss, the things you find hard to do or simply can't bring yourself to do. Open yourself to those feelings and let them flow through you instead of trying to push them aside and ignore them. Allow them to exist on paper so that they don't have to only exist inside yourself. Getting them out can then make room for something else, something positive, even if it's just the accomplishment of having written a letter. Another thing that helps me is to Let Go - I often times put crazy expectations on myself and then when I can't do them all I sink deeper and feel guilty and blah, blah, blah. I often times have to tell myself that it's okay to let go of expectations, especially those I put on myself. The world will not end because I didn't finish the laundry or because I couldn't complete a painting.
Rafi Thank you so much for this video I've been trying to figure out what's been happening to me I've been in such a down place for the last almost year. Stock on the news and not been able to to create anything. Thank you Thank you so so much for this video
BANG ON description of depression!!! Clinical depression 19 yrs. People don't get it.
Just what i needed hear right now. Thanks guys
Live as if you will die tomorrow........Learn as if you are going to live forever. I'm 63 yrs old I been working on my art for only 3yrs. and I get depressed.when I think about the fact that I won't get the chance to practice my artwork for decades. But..... I have a fully equipped Art studio and I'm doing something I always to go do. I AM A ARTIST and I'm going to be a ARTIST for the rest of my life. Wooooo hoooooo I'm living the life!
Thank you. I want to feel gratitude, I have so much good stuff, I have my people and I have myself. I need to feel grateful and creative.
I still think experiencing depression gives us a certain level of understanding about it, even if its not clinical experience. Also, I feel guilty for not creating much of my usual art this year. But since this summer when I had TMS treatment for depression, I have at least been learning new creative skills, and mostly just playing with things and trying to get back what about 5 years of severe depression had lost me. I'm in my 50s now, and I still have moments of 'I've wasted my life' thoughts, but they go away now. Considering i started with bipolar disorder, then to full severe depression of the sort that made the testing psych just sort of 'Oh, yeah, you've got ADD, but I'm really worried about your depression' and now, while I'm not normal, I feel like myself again... And I can deal with that, though I'd love to be able to focus. And this past year, well, I can appreciate occasionally being able to go be around people, because while I'm 'dangerously introverted [funny phrasing right as lockdowns were starting in march/april], I do like people, just in small doses.
Two of the most extraordinary humans I have seen on UA-cam. Seriously. If more youtubers just realized the impact they could have by being themselves like you guys rather than putting on a facade just for the sake of views, UA-cam would be a million times better. Thank you for sharing your experiences. 😌🥰
I Love Lucy & The Carol Burnett Show
All on UA-cam 😉 The Odd Couple too!! The point is too just leave it better than you found it. You are.
Rafi and Klee- thanks so much for this video. So needed and as always so real. Many of us artists suffer from some form of depression. Personally I believe it is because we are super sensitive and come in wired to see and feel everything much more intensely than most people. It’s our occupational hazard and thus it’s important to educate each other about it. I’ve read everyone’s comments here and found them all helpful and insightful. Thanks everyone. The arts are not a luxury. They are a necessity. Being an artist is a sacred profession, no less than medicine or teaching or anything else. Hang in there and be gentle with one another! 💕🕸🕊
It was like you made this video just for me, thank you and thanks for Andy for speaking up💕
Thank you for sharing this. I have had a heard time creating since I lost my Mom in 2016. Your channel and being part of your Patreon has helped a great deal.
The media and social media has done it's best to drive hate into the world on both sides. And as artist I think these emotions hit us extra deep. Art seems so worthless. But it's not. I left art school and joined the army because of this depression. In the end I found that the army was fake and achieved nothing but pain for the world. But art is one place we can show love and passion. This is the best part of life and worth creating your passion. People need hope and things that bring us together and show us that life is still awesome.
I've made some dark weird art in bad times. I think it's neat to look back to where I was at the time good or bad.
Thank you Rafi and Klee. Great message tonight. I heard familiar reaction then creative 'surthrival' solutions. 😄 Sounded like what I went through , this past year especially. Like you Rafi. .I'm unplugged from MSM garbage, and like you, just want to create Fun, Joy ,Silly things that help me and other people to Feel Good . That Focus has helped me survive, and thrive. That Energy has produced my best artwork...I know this because many more people are sharing how the pieces make them feel. When someone says. " I can Feel the peace of that painting" or "It made me laugh" .....Mission Accomplished. 😁✌💜🖼🎨
So helpful! Thank you for being transparent and thank you for sharing! Much appreciated.
This is timely and solidly good advice. I try to spend as little time as possible on Twitter. Cat videos, comedians, and a couple of favorite UA-camrs are my escape from craziness, too. Can't really add anything, but thanks. This was helpful.
Thank you , thank you, THANK YOU!!! I'm Andi Hume and I am so grateful for your response and encouragement. You made hubby and I both cry. We love you both so much!! Hubby and I are actually in the middle of COVID illness. It hasn't been a good time lately, but as soon as I feel able, I am going to get back to my art. LOVE you both!!
This is such an important message. You are both beautiful souls and I am beyond thankful to have found your channel. Thank you for what you do. ❤
Young ones, that includes you, Rafi and Klee. Learn to be happy, laugh and enjoy life everyday, because it gets rougher when you age and start to loose your friends, and can't do much anymore. Watch happy shows and tell yourself out loud, I'm going to be happy. Time is the most precious thing in my life, family and friends first. Love you guys and stay healthy and strong for the long years before you.
I've had depression since my teens (now 47) I have found your videos so helpful. I often have imposter syndrome about being a valuable human, let alone an artist. I isolate myself and don't think other people would want to know what I'm doing or I fear there will be judging equivalent to the harsh negative 'anxiety head' that rattles my brain jar. It also says it's frivolous to make art when there are so many more 'important' things to be doing. It's hard not to hear that voice but collecting evidence to prove it wrong helps; Every like or comment I get when I do post on social media; work I have sold; the commission I got and completed which made someone happy ... Or even that I smiled at someone and they smiled back (from a safe social distance of course!) Often the good stuff is harder to believe than what 'anxiety head' says. Like now I'm thinking I'm not making much sense and this isn't going to help anyone ... Whatever time you can spend doing anything creative or trying to add creativity to the mundane is time spent fighting 'anxiety head' and that is definitely not frivolous or a waste of time. Love you guys for being brave enough to put this out on your channel.