Is Writing Stressing You Out?

I recently had a post suggestion/request on life and happiness and how to tie that in with writing. As a writer this was something I just kind of assumed or felt but never really thought out. After all, we all expect to be happy when we're pursuing a passion.
Photo by Max Rovensky on Unsplash

This is a little different than my usual posts.

So here's the thing: 

If you are a writer, or a dancer, a content creator or artist of any kind, chances are you probably derive a certain joy in pursuing that art. 

And LIKELY you've experienced certain times/situations where what you're doing is not fulfilling the joy you're expecting to get from something that you love to do. 

This is frustrating. 1) Because something you love is not working out for you and 2) You begin to doubt whether you truly love it or not. 

What follows? Your happiness or contentedness gets disrupted. 

I went through a writing bump awhile ago. A LONG writing bump. It began to make me question whether I TRULY enjoyed what I was doing, and if not that would mean I wasted so much of my time an effort on something I didn't like. (I know it sounds a little weird--my brain does weird things). 

It's weird how closely our passions, successes and joys are all intertwined. 


Some ways to tell if writing is stressing you out:

1) If not writing makes you feel worthless/want to cry. 
2) You start to hyperventilate when you sit down to write. 
3) Getting angry at yourself when something doesn't work out. 

(Stress comes from all different sources. You also need to pinpoint whether or not writing is stressing you out or whether it is a by-product of anxiety from another source.)

What writers don't like: 
Asking themselves "Is writing stressing me out?" We hate admitting that. What we hate to consider: "Should I lay this aside for a little while?" 

As much as we hear the words, WRITE EVERY DAY, sometimes that's just not for the best. Some days, we need to lay the work aside for a little while so that we can re-connect with ourselves. For the ultimate good. 

Obviously, any hobby or craft should be based on joy and passion and expression. IS YOUR PASSION-DRIVEN LIFESTYLE AFFECTING YOUR PERSONAL PEACE? 

When we stress too much, we create stress-based things. 

When we feel like crap we create crap. 

It feels weird to say it, but it's true. No one feels like creating a happy, rosy scene when they're infuriated or hyperventilating or depressed. Art doesn't work that way.  


I guess, the simple answer is, although pursuing a passion brings us happiness and joy, we can't stake everything on that. This is especially difficult for people who have chosen writing as a career. 


 Perhaps this is going in circles. I dunno. I don't know if any of this makes sense, but there you have it.


Let's Chat!
Please, please let me know what you think! I'm curious as to your thoughts on this subject.
1. Do you associate your passions with your happiness?
2. Do you have trouble balancing a passion-driven lifestyle with your personal peace?
3. Does writing stress you out?

Comments

  1. I do associate my passions, especially writing, with my happiness. Writing doesn't always make me happy though. Recently, it has been frustrating and difficult to write. But it hasn't stressed me out and I don't think it should give anyone anxiety or stress. If it becomes the cause of stress I feel like it would be time to take a step back and maybe try other things, not giving up writing entirely, but maybe pursuing interests that give a sense of calm.
    Actually, writing is what balances my life out and brings me a measure of personal peace.
    Sometimes it can be frustrating, but I don't think writing has ever stressed me out.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. Even though writing does make me stressed, it does calm me sometimes as well. I loved to hear your thoughts on this subject! It was a prompted post and I was unsure how it would turn out. ;) Thanks for commenting! XD

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