Why I Disappeared - How Bowie's Advice Changed my Attitude

Summary

The video delves into the myth linking poor mental health with creativity, challenging the romanticized notion of the 'tortured artist.' The creator shares a personal journey of battling a severe health condition and legal challenges, which led to a period of mental distress. Reflecting on this, they discuss how to rekindle creativity when overwhelmed by anxiety, drawing inspiration from David Bowie’s resilience. The message encourages pushing through tough times while also advocating for self-compassion, highlighting the importance of creating for the love of it, not for external expectations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The myth that poor mental health is a prerequisite for creativity is largely untrue; mental health struggles often hinder creativity.
• 😀 Creativity thrives on connection to the world, and poor mental health, like depression or anxiety, can make it difficult to stay engaged.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal story of being diagnosed with congenital hepatic fibrosis, which affects their liver and requires a transplant.
• 😀 The speaker's liver condition worsened, requiring them to wait for a transplant, which led to a period of mental health challenges.
• 😀 Legal action was taken against the speaker by a photographer, which caused significant financial stress and worsened their mental health.
• 😀 Copyright trolls exploit the ambiguity of 'fair use' to demand settlements from content creators for using copyrighted material in educational videos.
• 😀 The speaker struggled with finding motivation and energy to create due to anxiety and a sense of hopelessness brought on by the challenges they faced.
• 😀 In the midst of poor mental health, it can be hard to reconnect with past motivation; it's important to remember how creativity felt rather than focusing on past actions.
• 😀 Seeking professional help and talking to friends or family is essential when struggling with mental health, but finding passion and motivation can also come from within.
• 😀 David Bowie’s wisdom helped the speaker realize that true artists create because of an internal drive, not to fulfill others' expectations, and can still create even in difficult circumstances.
• 😀 It's important to not let the pressure of constant productivity undermine creative work; creating art should come from passion, not external pressure to produce.

Q & A

What common myth about creativity and mental health is discussed in the video?

The video discusses the myth that poor mental health and creativity go hand in hand, with the idea that true creative genius must come at the expense of sanity and happiness.

What do studies say about the relationship between mental health and creativity?

Studies have found little evidence linking poor mental health with enhanced creativity. In fact, they often find that poor mental health hinders creativity, making individuals less likely to feel energized or inspired.

How does mental health affect creativity according to the speaker?

Mental health issues like depression and anxiety can paralyze a person, preventing them from connecting with the world and thus hindering their creativity. It becomes difficult to find motivation or inspiration when feeling mentally unwell.

What personal health challenge did the speaker face?

The speaker was diagnosed with congenital hepatic fibrosis, a rare genetic disorder affecting the liver, which requires a liver transplant as their condition worsens.

How did the speaker’s health condition affect their work and motivation?

The speaker’s deteriorating health condition, combined with other personal struggles, led to a lack of motivation and creativity. They felt like they had no energy or purpose, and they struggled with anxiety and depression.

What legal issue did the speaker encounter, and how did it impact their mental health?

The speaker faced legal action from a photographer, which involved a copyright dispute over an educational video. This situation worsened the speaker’s mental health, causing further anxiety and making it harder to find motivation for their work.

What is a ‘copyright troll’ and how does it affect creators?

A copyright troll is a person or entity that exploits ambiguous copyright laws by sending mass threats to creators who use copyrighted images, hoping to extract money through out-of-court settlements.

How does the speaker’s personal experience with mental health and legal issues relate to the broader creative community?

The speaker’s experience reflects the challenges that many creative individuals face, where external pressures, such as legal battles or health issues, can inhibit their ability to create. The video encourages artists to not let these struggles define them or hinder their creative expression.

What advice does the speaker offer for overcoming creative blocks during difficult times?

The speaker advises that when struggling with mental health or a creative block, one should not wait to feel ‘like themselves’ before creating. Instead, creating is what can help one feel like their true self again. They also emphasize the importance of pushing through, while maintaining self-compassion and not setting unrealistic expectations.

How does David Bowie’s approach to creativity serve as inspiration for the speaker?

David Bowie’s resilience and continuous work despite his illness serve as an inspiration for the speaker. Bowie demonstrated that creative output can continue even in the face of adversity, showing that artists should not be defined by their struggles but by their passion for creating.