If you want to be successful in life, there are basically two paths you can follow. One is the ambitious path where you push yourself: 'Work Hard, Play Hard'. The other is the introverted path where you pull success towards you: 'Be Like Water', to quote Bruce Lee. Both require hard work to reach. Yet only the latter brings you the kind of peace that heals and prevents depression and burnout, and alleviates creative anxieties. Let's explore. Qi Gong and Kung Fu Are Always Rec

Kaizen is the Japanese word for improvement. Kai stands for ‘Change’ and Zen for ‘Good’. We often hear it to describe a common theme in Japan's business practice; a lot of small steps will lead to big changes. Yet, it is much more. It’s the perfect analogy for how to get out of artistic anxieties, writer's block, creative resistance, and even when you are (creatively) burned out. You take a thousand tiny steps to reach that one big goal. One small step at a time. Artists and

One of the strongest solutions to overcoming creative anxiety is the ability to connect to the now. This means your thoughts don't drift away to the past or the future but stay in the exact moment you are experiencing this instant, in complete focus. Learning how to do this is will not only help you with your recovery, in time it will help you reach that coveted state of flow in your life and creative work. So, let's explore! In The Pipe All Right Almost all mindfulness cours

My favorite pod-caster, actor and comedian Marc Maron , has a lifetime full of experience with anxiety issues. In the creative industry and the arts, anxiety is common due to the fact that artists show their vulnerable side, which exposes them to criticism from their own inner critic and outside ones. In one of his podcasts however, a listener came with some unsolicited advice for Marc: stop using the word anxiety and replace it with 'nerves'. Is he right? Today we discuss th

We all have that one friend who took yoga too far. Please send them this article. Watch Out for Spiritual Haughtiness Hi. My name is Rogier. I'm a writer. And this article may have been send to you by a great friend, family member or partner who really, really loves you. They've send you this article however, to ask you to slow down on your spiritualism. We are all happy for you that you think you are on the path to enlightenment. But we - because we love you dearly - think i

You are not going to like this. But it’s the truth. That anxiety you feel? When you’re releasing that art thing or that creative project of yours? It never fades. I know, I know, it’s not what you wanted to hear. But there is a silver lining: that anxiety has a function. Without it, you wouldn’t be an artist actually. Allow me to explain. In our Amsterdam music app group, one of the singers recently told us that she was viciously attacked online after posting a video of her s

How does it feel to be 'in the zone' creatively? Most people feel or imagine it to be a state of great confidence. And yes, sometimes you'll feel on top of the world. We usually call this being in a 'a state of flow'. But there is a second 'zone' that feels like the total opposite: full of doubt, anxiety, pain and frustration. Yet, it can still make you feel absolutely fantastic. And it's this zone that tells your creative story. In the Zone all right Everyone who has eve

A well known and often used technique to fight anxiety, depression and burnout is keeping a diary. There is no doubt in my mind about its benefits, however it is worth to discuss exactly why it can work for you. Knowing the process behind it means you've won half the fight already, even without penning anything down yet. So, let's explore. Although the body is an integral part of it, anxiety, burnout, trauma, grief and depression all play themselves out in the mind . To be

In a creative career, criticism is the one big constant you'll always face. On the one hand, you'll have to follow your own gut feeling. On the other, you'll have to embrace the criticism, since in the end, it's the only thing that will make you better. But the million dollar question is... when they you do what ? Let's dive in! A devil on one shoulder... and on the other one too The creative conflict Since storytelling is all about creating conflict , let's begin with thro