When the pressure to be constantly clever and original starts burning you out, it's time for a reality check. Tara Hurster, psychologist and founder of The TARA Clinic, joins Sarah Gross, Creative Director at Storyfolk, and Andy Wright from Never Not Creative to tackle this all-too-common creative struggle. They explore why comparison is the thief of joy, how even Madonna only reinvents herself every few years, and why sometimes the best creative solution is simply solving the brief. This honest conversation reminds us that feeling like you're "faking it" doesn't mean you're not good enough – it means you're human, and that's perfectly okay.
Caring deeply about your work is a beautiful thing, but when the pressure to be clever and original all the time starts burning you out, it's time to pause and reassess. That nagging feeling of "faking it" even after years in the creative industry is more common than you might think, and it doesn't mean you're not good enough.
This question was answered by Tara Hurster – Psychologist and Founder of The TARA Clinic – who specialises in supporting high-achieving professionals, Sarah Gross – Creative Director and Partner of Storyfolk – who brings years of creative industry experience, and Andy Wright – Founder of Never Not Creative and CEO of Streamtime – who hosts the discussion and champions healthier creative workplaces.
The root of this creative burnout often lies in comparison, as Tara explains: "when it comes to this idea of faking it, and this sort of internal pressure to be clever, where we're probably dealing with comparison." She reminds us that comparison is normal but deeply unhelpful, and unless we're robots programmed to generate brilliant ideas constantly, "it's very hard to set the expectation that everything is going to be epic all of the time."
The solution starts with giving yourself permission to take a breath and acknowledging that you're likely being your own worst critic. Tara points out: "We usually look at what we do and go, oh shit, this could have been better or, you know, that's too much like whatever it is."
When we look at successful artists, Tara observes, "you can kind of tell that one artist has done all these incredible artworks, even though those artworks are different and unique in their own way, there's like a thread between them." This consistency isn't a failure of originality; it's a signature style developing over time.
Even Madonna, who Tara cites as someone who successfully reinvents herself, "reinvents herself probably every 5, maybe 8 to 10 years. So you don't need to be like being clever and being original doesn't necessarily need to look really different, right? And it doesn't need to happen really quickly all the time."
Tara suggests shifting focus from internal pressure to external purpose: "If you just allow yourself to be still enough to connect with what your client is looking for, then you're going to be able to find that creativity that is right for them. And that's where I would think to be focusing on."
Andy reinforces this practical approach, noting that in commercial work, "getting the job done for a client sometimes doesn't have to be clever and original. It just has to solve the brief."
Sarah emphasises the importance of breaking things down: "just focusing on what you're trying to do in that day, rather than what that project needs to be in months time or tomorrow, even." She reminds us that "you can only try your best. You don't have to be your best because it's actually impossible to be your best absolutely every single day."
This daily approach helps combat the high prevalence of burnout in the creative industry by making expectations more manageable and realistic.
When feeling overwhelmed by a brief, Sarah recommends stepping back: "Take a step back from the work, maybe work on something a little bit mundane, go for a walk, if you're working from home, have a shower, whatever it might be." After this reset, return to the fundamental question: "what's the problem I'm trying to solve? And then just work backwards from that."
Sarah shares a perfect example of how we can be both successful and fallible: "literally today, on one hand, I was nominated for this award and I was like, oh my God, wow, this is amazing. And on the other hand, I left my car lights on and my battery went flat." She concludes: "you can be both, you know, killing it on one spectrum and on the other spectrum, forgetful. And that's part of being a creative and that's also part of being human."
Andy emphasises that creative work doesn't have to be a solo struggle: "it's so much easier when you're working with somebody else and you're trying to do those ideas together." He also mentions using AI as a tool "not to get an original idea, but to think of all of the facets and all of the dynamics involved in something" to reach better ideas more quickly.
The key insight is that "as soon as someone goes off into a room on their own to try and crack something, you can almost guarantee that they won't crack it. Because you need to be able to bounce off people."
Never Not Creative Circles provide peer support groups specifically for creatives experiencing anxiety and struggling with life's challenges. These confidential, non-competitive spaces connect you with 8-10 other creatives who understand the unique pressures of constantly needing to be original and clever.
Each monthly session offers mental health education, group discussions, and practical skills to navigate tough times. The supportive community helps you realise you're not alone in feeling like you're "faking it" and provides practical tools from health professionals.
If the pressure to be original is significantly impacting your mental health and daily life, professional support can provide valuable perspective. As the discussion highlights, sometimes we need external help to step back from the internal pressure we place on ourselves.
Mental health professionals can help you develop strategies to manage creative anxiety and imposter syndrome while maintaining your passion for good work.
Find professional help resources
Remember, caring about your work is a strength, not a weakness. The pressure you feel to be constantly clever and original is a sign of how much you value quality, but it doesn't need to burn you out. Give yourself permission to be human, focus on solving problems rather than being perfect, and remember that even the most successful creatives have days when they forget to turn off their car lights. You're not faking it; you're learning, growing, and creating meaningful work one project at a time.
Creative Director and Partner at Storyfolk, a Melbourne and Torquay branding studio. Blends strategy, design, art direction and copy to craft bold, meaningful brands. Believes in design as a force for good.
Psychologist & founder of The TARA Clinic, helping high-achievers overcome addiction without shame. Focused on practical, flexible solutions like on-demand courses to support lasting change.
Founder of Never Not Creative, CEO of Streamtime & co-chair of Mentally Healthy, driven to make the creative industry fairer & more human. Believes great work should never cost wellbeing.
