Working in the creative industry often feels like being in a constant sprint—one where you’re expected to be innovative on demand, all the time. And while that drive can lead to incredible work, it can also leave your mental health quietly sliding to the bottom of your priorities list. The truth? There’s no long-term creativity without care. Taking care of your mind isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation of sustainable creative work.

This question was explored by Katie Feder, a registered Psychotherapist who specialises in Process Oriented Psychology, and Sarah Gross, Creative Director and Partner at Storyfolk, a branding and graphic design studio. Katie brings deep expertise in emotional wellbeing for creatives. Sarah offers a lived-in perspective from inside the fast-paced world of commercial design. Between them, they’ve seen how pressure shows up—and how to move through it in a healthier way.

Put yourself at the center of your creative practice

Katie flips the usual narrative on its head:
"I think if you don't prioritize yourself then you've got nothing have you... if you're not on your to-do list it's got to come from the inside out not the outside in."

She also points out something we often miss in the way we ask this question:
"It's even interesting in the phrasing of that question that that it was led by being creatively on and then there was the sort of secondary consideration about the self and I would suggest that you flip it."

As Katie reminds us, we are the tool. The instrument. The whole creative engine:
"As a creative you are the instrument you are the tool you are it so it's about how do I value and respect and tune my instrument what do I feed it how do I move it how do I engage it how do I excite it."

Find your personal counterbalance

There’s no universal fix here, and that’s the point. Katie shares what’s currently helping her find her footing:
"For me at the moment I'm completely obsessed with my garden I'm growing this veggie patch and I'm just obsessed with it but that is my counterbalance because I'm also in the phase of my business that I'm doing quite a lot of analytical thinking."

Why does that help? She explains:
"The physicality of that is bringing me back into my body it's calming my central nervous system it's allowing to gain some perspective because I'm part of something wider like it's not just me and my computer and my tiny little thinking mind."

But it’s not about everyone suddenly taking up gardening:
"It's not that gardening is the thing or that exercise is the thing or that spending time with friends is the thing the real question is what is that thing for you and that'll shift throughout your life as well."

Access your unconscious creativity

There’s a sweet spot between structure and surrender. Katie explains how giving yourself space often unlocks deeper creative insight:
"When you loosen a little bit you'll access a part of your psyche and unconscious that is so infinitely more creative than you can ever think your way to like how many times you in the shower and boom it drops in or you know you're walking and I see it."

Her suggestion is simple but powerful:
"Put yourself at the center of your nucleus and build your life and your creativity and your joy out from there."

Take small steps when pressure mounts

Sarah brings it back to the day-to-day. She gets how commercial deadlines can pile on:
"As creatives and you know being in a commercial creative as well you know there is a lot of pressure and expectation to meet certain deadlines and I think it is hard sometimes because you're working towards a deadline so you want to produce the good work to hit that deadline."

Even so, a pause—even a small one—can shift things:
"I think once kind of zoom out a little bit... and do that thing you know Cass likes to go for a surf or I like to take my dog that all for a walk around the block or something and these small elements will give you that perspective."

Her tip for when you’re feeling stuck?
"I think sometimes when you are like if you are feeling the pressure to be on I think that is a sign to take a little bit of a step back even if it's just really small like a shower or a walk and then you can come back with a bit more of a fresh perspective and hopefully feel a little bit more rejuvenated as well."

When you need additional support

There are times when a good walk or a chat with a mate won’t be enough. That’s not a failure—it’s just human. Reaching out for professional support isn’t a last resort, it’s a brave and healthy choice.

If you need immediate support or are looking for reliable mental health resources, visit our comprehensive help section. You’ll find trusted services ready to support you, 24/7.

Connect with peers who understand

It’s easier to carry the weight of creative pressure when you’ve got others walking beside you. NNC Circles are safe, supportive spaces where creatives meet monthly to share, reflect, and look after each other’s wellbeing.

Each small group (usually 8-10 people) is led by trained facilitators and built on trust, not competition. These peer groups are here for the long haul—helping you stay creatively inspired and mentally well.

Conclusion

This isn’t about choosing between creativity and mental health. It’s about recognising they’re on the same team. When you take care of yourself, you’re also nurturing your creative spark.

That care might look different day to day—a quick walk, quiet time in the garden, or letting your thoughts wander in the shower. Whatever it is, those small moments of reconnection often lead to the biggest creative breakthroughs.

You’re not weak for feeling the pressure. You’re not selfish for needing space. You’re simply human—and your creativity will thank you for treating yourself that way.

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