There are a lot of times in your life where things do not go your way. Every person has different criteria and way of dealing with things. Some get out of trouble without having to even ask for help; while others may suffer so much that they start getting bouts of depression marked by periods of anxiety and inner turmoil. There are multiple ways to battle depression and live a healthy life, and even though depression affects all of us differently, it has its effects more on a creative person.

“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” — Fred Rogers

How to Turn Depression Into a Powerful Tool for Creativity

Being a person from the creative field, you may look at ordinary things and situations rather differently than most people. A creative person may over analyze a situation and deliberate their own conclusion instead of being told how they should behave in a certain setting. This makes their lives a bit harder thus being a major contributing factor in their depression. It simply does not help when your earnings and life is dependent on your creativity. You may be a designer, a painter, an actor or any professional from a creative setting; it can be difficult for you to be more creative when you are depressed. Here are a few things that may help you get inspiration to work, let you feel confident and worthy of your job and let depression take a backseat.

Changing your Surroundings

For any creative person, their surroundings are important to them. They help them think, perform and are a fuel to their energy. However, the tides can turn against you if you are depressed and the same place that once was your favorite thinking spot is now something you dread going to.

• If you are a freelance artist, then it is easier for you to change the room or your spot where you work from.  Go closer to nature by going in a park more often and working there. This way you may also interact with new people if you are the extrovert type.
• If that doesn’t seem like an option, then try going out on the balcony and then doing your creative work. The air, despite being heavily polluted, is still better than the confinements of the wall, and also the view is ever changing when you are outside.
• You may also just switch your workspace from one room to another to if those two options do not work for you.
• If you work in an office setting, request to change your seat to a place near a window. If you do not want a window seat, then a seat which has a different view of the office will help. The change in your view may help get you inspired and may help you get back to your routine.

Doing What you Love

You already have a job and a profession that you chose for yourself, but this cannot be the only thing that you love. People have different types of hobbies and they are meant to be their escape from the realities of life.  When you do something that you love, it can help you lessen the pain of depression.

• You may take some time off work to travel. Travelling doesn’t necessarily have to mean that you need to go and explore another country; another city or a popular tourist spot near your city could also be a good traveling experience.
• Having something new and exciting as simple as a cute new outfit or something as meaningful as a new friend or a significant other can also be your moment of inspiration. It depends a lot on you. If you are a fashion freak and a wardrobe change helps you feel better than you must do so. If a major change such as befriending a new person, or going on dates to find yourself – it cheers you up and opens you up to new experiences then this is your cue for inspiration.

Experience Other Art Forms

There is a certain inspiration that you can achieve if you look at the work of another artist; Furthermore, you don’t specifically need to be the same field to appreciate the work of an artist. Not all creative people are the same, and battling depression alone can be hard. Exposing yourself to other people’s arts and creativity can help minimize your pain and have you marvel at the other artists’ performances of different fields.

• You may attend a fashion show or visit a clothing boutique to view the designs that the designer has put out.
• You may visit an art gallery to soothe your soul or to look at how beautifully crafted a painting is.
• You can also go watch a play, a movie or even sit at home and watch a TV series or a movie that you like.

Being creative does not mean that you are better or worse than someone else, it only means that you may not think the same as people around you. You may experience depression in a different way, but that is no reason to be scared or give into your condition. You must battle your depression, and along with seeking help seek inspiration, for that can be the perfect formula for a great life.