A Take Care Guide for Creatives Who Are Processing Hard Things
The first in a series, this guide offers practices and reflections for those who are creating while healing.
Some time in those early COVID lockdowns, I recognized the familiar pings of feeling trapped. Constantly afraid of what could be lurking around me, I realized this wasn’t new. I knew this feeling; its danger, its weight. Dreams I hadn’t had in years returned, and it became clear: it was time. So I did the only thing I could—I started writing. Soon, my living room walls were covered in untold pieces of my past, pouring out twenty years later.
But I knew I couldn’t share this story, or turn it into something of service if I didn’t figure out how to protect my well-being as I wrote.
Creating art can be a lifeline, especially when we’re processing the heaviness of past experiences. Whether you’re a writer, designer, dancer, or someone just trying to make sense of the world, creativity helps pull things out of our bodies and into the light. But when we create while processing trauma or deep emotions, it’s easy to forget the need to care for ourselves along the way.
When writing Pack Light, I had to balance revisiting the past with grounding practices that kept me securely rooted in the present. Music, movies, and old photos helped me time-travel to the memories I needed, while walks, check-ins with friends, and even showers jolted me back to the now. I learned that art can be both a release and a weight, so caring for yourself is essential.
Here’s a gentle guide for anyone walking this same line to support your creative process while maintaining some peace of mind.
Set Boundaries For Your Body
Creating can bring up unexpected responses from the body, so having physical boundaries in place helps prevent emotional overload. Decide in advance how much time you’ll spend creating and allow the space for adjustments—whether it’s a strict end time or a scheduled break, honoring your physical limits will help avoid burnout. Rest and restoration are essential parts of any creative process.
Hydrate, sleep, eat stuff your body likes. Whether we realize it or not, we’re putting ourselves through a visceral experience to get these stories out. Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and listen.
Maintain Your Mental
Keeping a journal is a powerful way to stay clear-headed while you create. Regular reflections allow you to notice emotional patterns, track progress, and gain insights into what you’re processing.
This could function as both a creative practice and a way to lighten the mental load, giving clarity without judgment. Because I spent so much time writing, I found voice notes more helpful. I could say the things that weren’t for the book or just comment on how fucking hard that day was. While writing, there were plenty of pages that were just for me. So many.
I played music to help me “time-travel” and when a song felt particularly potent–like it unlocked something–I’d make a note. Other times, I’d fill a page with all-caps screams, making way for words blocked by tension.
Tiny drawings would creep in–balloons, fangs, and spirals were my recurring images. These messy, raw expressions were essential to my process. It felt important to let it all out, but even more important to use discernment when deciding what was for public consumption.
If it feels like service, share. If it’s purely release, burn it. I had many, many more pages in my purge pile.
Ground Those Big Feels
Creating and processing in tandem doesn’t mean going it alone. Plan for regular check-ins with friends or loved ones who can help you stay grounded. Even a five-minute conversation can bring you back to the present moment, making a huge difference in your emotional energy.
Think of it as a reset button; a reminder that you’re supported and never isolated in this process. For some, that will be regular appointments with a therapist, while someone else might get what they need from Facetime with a friend or a few episodes of Living Single.
Remember, this process is uniquely yours, and each story you bring to light is a gift—not only to yourself but to others. Creativity can both carry our stories and lighten our load, but never at the cost of our well-being.