We’ve gathered the best advice from inspiring creatives—including Rainn Wilson, Jessica Walsh, Beci Orpin, and more—on how they prioritize their mental health while killing it creatively.
As we celebrate Mental Health Month 2024, we’re reflecting on the importance of mental well-being—especially within the fast-paced, ever-evolving creative industries. Whether you ’re a freelancer or part of a creative team, the challenges of balancing personal health and professional demands are all too familiar.
Our new campaign, ‘For the creatively obsessed,’ explores the brighter side of creative obsession—the drive that enables creatives to create outstanding work and make their mark on the world around them. For some, though, the pressures of juggling multiple projects and staying ahead can lead to feelings of isolation and burnout.
But—and we’re going to hold your hand when we say this—prioritizing your mental well-being is essential to thriving in both your craft and your personal life.
Mental health is a growing concern in the creative industries
According to Never Not Creative’s Mentally Healthy 2024 Survey, anxiety levels among creatives have surged by 6% since 2022, continuing to track higher than the general population. A striking 70% of respondents also admitted to experiencing burnout over the past 12 months—a clear indication that mental health struggles are prevalent in the creative industries.
“Burnout levels were very high in this wave of research,” says Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative. “Managing it comes down to looking for the signs. Sometimes you’ll spot them on your own, but it can also help to share what these signs look like with people who are close to you.”
Over the last year, we’ve gathered the best advice from some of the inspiring creatives we’ve interviewed—including Rainn Wilson, Jessica Walsh, Beci Orpin, and more—on how they prioritize their mental health and produce incredible creative work. From embracing community to being vulnerable in your work, here are their top tips for managing your mental health as a creative.
1. Acknowledge your struggles—and know you’re not alone
Creatives tend to feel deeply connected to their emotions, which can amplify mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. It’s essential to recognize that these struggles are real, and you’re not alone in facing them—acknowledging them is the first step to feeling better.
“Mental health is a huge, difficult, and complicated issue for everyone, but especially for creatives—otherwise, you wouldn’t be an artist,” says award-winning actor and creative Rainn Wilson. “I have an anxiety disorder myself, so I’m wired to be anxious. There needs to be an acknowledgment that mental health struggles are real—anxiety, depression, loneliness, addiction, alienation—and that you’re not alone in suffering and struggling with them.”
Don’t hesitate to reach out to peers, talk openly about your mental health, or seek professional support when needed. By embracing your mental health as a part of your creative process, you can take charge rather than let it overwhelm you.
2. Surround yourself with a creative community
Being a creative can sometimes feel lonely, but surrounding yourself with a supportive community can make a world of difference. It can help combat feelings of isolation, spark new ideas, and inspire you.
“Having other creative people around can be great when you work alone,” says Australian design legend Beci Orpin. “It’s so good to have an external perspective—getting other people’s feedback and opinions is a big part of my process, and it’s inspiring to see what everyone’s working on. It’s not just about the work; it’s about creating a warm, supportive studio atmosphere—like a little creative commune.”
Whether you connect online or in person, being part of a creative community allows you to share ideas, seek feedback, and lean on others when needed. If you work alone, like Beci, consider joining a co-working space or an artistic group that fosters collaborative energy.
3. Be vulnerable and connect through your work
Opening up about your mental health can be terrifying, but it can also be profoundly liberating and foster meaningful connections with others. Sharing your experiences might inspire others to open up, creating a ripple effect of empathy and support.
“Though I was initially afraid to share my struggle with mental health, it has been both freeing to put it out there and incredible to hear how many people connect with it and feel seen,” says illustrator and mental health advocate Haley Weaver.
“I’ve struggled with anxiety most of my life, and I want to help relieve that burden for others. We can’t erase our mental health issues, but we can undoubtedly normalize them and find ways to accept them. The more we can all be vulnerable with our own experiences and empathetic to others, the better (and more accepting!) our world will be.”
Remember, sharing your story doesn’t make you weak—it makes you real. Vulnerability strengthens connections and helps you find solidarity in a community of like-minded creatives.
4. Use your creativity to support causes you care about
Creativity is a powerful tool for change. Many artists channel their passion into work that supports social causes, including mental health advocacy. It’s a way to give deeper meaning to your projects and feel more connected to your values.
“When I started &Walsh, I wanted it to be an agency that uses design and creativity for social impact,” says internationally renowned graphic designer Jessica Walsh. “That’s why I started Let’s Talk About Mental Health—to use design to open up the conversation around stigmatized issues.”
Aligning your creative work with causes that matter to you gives it purpose and can also be a grounding force in your career. Whether through your designs, illustrations, or creative services, focusing on meaningful projects can give you purpose.
Read more about brand activism and how to create content for good.
“Art has always served as an excellent vehicle for activism, and in the digital age, a platform can reach so many,” echoes Haley. “Creating art about what you care about is the best way to take a stand.”
5. Take time to disconnect and recharge
As a creative, the lines between work and life can be blurry at best. However, taking time to step away from your projects is crucial to maintaining both creativity and mental health.
“To truly disconnect, you need to step away from work,” says Aussie graphic designer Chris Doyle. “It’s about balance—allowing work to occupy a small space in your mind without overwhelming you. Yet, some of my best ideas come when I’m away from the screen, and I often solve problems during downtime. There’s value in letting ideas simmer as long as they don’t consume you.”
Taking breaks, switching environments, or indulging in hobbies outside of work can rejuvenate your creativity to help you spark inspiration and avoid burnout.
“Staring at a screen can leave me stuck, but the solution often clicks after a walk,” Chris continues. “A change of scenery helps break mental blocks and sparks creativity. I even sketch logo ideas in my phone’s notes app while on the go. It’s a messy system, but it works for me.”
6. Don’t take client criticism personally
Rejection and criticism are inevitable in the creative industry. As creatives, our work can feel deeply personal, so it can sting when clients don’t respond positively.
While it’s easy to take criticism of your work as a personal blow, separating yourself from your creations is vital to handling feedback effectively and growing as a creative.
“One of the hardest parts of being a creative is when clients don’t like what I create,” says Kristy Campbell, Adobe MAX 2024 headliner and founder of Pink Pony Creative. “Sometimes, people aren’t going to like your work—they might not like the design, don’t understand your vision, or can’t see a way forward. You must tackle that head-on and understand it’s not a personal attack—they just don’t like the design. Every business goes through this, even the big agencies. It’s how you deal with the situation that matters.”
Remember, every creative—no matter how successful—faces rejection. The important thing is how you bounce back and learn from it.
7. Set healthy boundaries
In the age of social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly share your work and yourself online. But setting boundaries is essential for protecting your mental well-being.
“The most challenging part of speaking your mind online is being misunderstood, feeling solely accountable for the education of your audience, and being unable to maintain personal boundaries,” explains award-winning content creator Flex Mami. “The most rewarding part is noticing how empowered people feel to challenge their beliefs and remain open to hearing other perspectives.”
By setting healthy boundaries around social media, you can reach new audiences and clients without letting it take a toll on your mental health.
Start prioritizing your mental health as a creative today
Being a creative professional can be a rollercoaster, but by prioritizing your mental health, you can find balance, inspiration, and fulfillment in your work. From building a supportive community to setting healthy boundaries, we hope this advice from creatives like Rainn Wilson, Beci Orpin, and Jessica Walsh reminds you that you’re not alone. Take care of yourself, lean on others when needed, and remember—your mental health matters!
