IN HER THOUGHTS

"When you consider how stressful and uncertain the conditions that come with working in the creative industries are, it’s all too easy to see how doing something you love can turn swiftly very sour." Our last guest is a epitome of what we want to achieve, being mentally aware and strive for wellness. As individual creatives and the creative industry as a whole, we need to think about the ways we work and the pressure we put on ourselves, and on each other. Most creative agencies throw you in a mix of juggling skills. However, the good news is you can start supporting yourself in ensuring a healthy mental state and adopt effective treatments to face the anxiety, stress or depression. As we conclude, our guest takes us through how she has become self aware and how they are taking self care as a priority: My name is Takudzwanashe Charlene Ndangana but my friends call me MaMoyo or Taku. l began blogging and podcasting last year and l must say my blog and podcast have helped me de

Hey! Perfection Is not possible.  This sounds ridiculous when are a creative world  and anything you make or create opens up to other people in a way that makes you vulnerable. Everything we make feels like an extension of ourselves. Our way of telling the world this is who I am. And like any rejection and criticism might come off very personal. This can easily create doubt or creative imposter syndrome "when you worry if you actually have real talent and feel like you do not belong in the creative community." Welcome back to the Mental health series where we converse with different artists, explore their stance on mental health and how they cope in the industry that reeks of criticism. Meet our next guest: I’m Lauren,  I’m 27 years old. I’m a daughter and a sister. I’m the middle child in a family of 3 girls and live in with my single mom and young sis. I hold a BSc Honours Degree in Creative Art and Design. I’m a full time Graphic Designer and currently employed as an inhou

  Hi loves! It’s a new month and from this part of the world we are starting it in a lockdown. Can be a downer, but when life gives you lemons make a fancy lemonade or even a cocktail. Dare to manifest dreams. It is your life, and you hold the keys baby girl/boy. So put on your game face and let us take July like a champ. The phrase for month is “if it brings you peace it is important.” I am big on mental health, financial health, everything health. Choose peace and may you have renewed stamina this season to grow mentally, spiritually, financially, physically and all words with “ally” at the end. Upgrade your thinking, ideas and do not let anyone or anything take away your peace. Yes you must have a source of income. Yes you yearn to be within cuddles. Yes you gotta come up with a life-changing innovation or else But your biggest flex this season is how you will achieve all of this and still go to bed with a clean conscience. Speak it into existence. Protect your peace! Here

You can only understand when it is you/a close person in your circle experience it. It is the smallest, well small when other people are looking in but suffocating when you are inside. The creative industry is fundamentally built around communication and free flow of ideas, mental health still seems to be something of a taboo subject.  We are exploring how the creative workplace presents specific challenges. Keeping your sanity when your work is always under scrutiny can be hard. We have seen the cancelling culture slowly raising over the years and we are nurturing it at the expense of our mental health. One mistake and you are out! It is hard earning your crust and keeping sane in these competitive environments that can breeding ground of depression, anxiety, addiction and the like. I digress, let's meet our next guest. Please tell us who you are in just 4 sentences: I am a brand strategist and designer. An artist at heart, who believes in creativity with purpose. I believe I was

“Creativity takes courage.”  – Henri Matisse Creativity can be healing, people with mood disorders, anxiety or depression can instinctively turn to art to help themselves cope or heal. We continue the interview series and the fight to raise mental health awareness.  Meet our second guest, Mufaro take it away! My name is Mufaro Chifamba, I am a multi-faceted creative, passionate about using music, media, and all forms of creative arts to shape and transform Africa and the world at large. My mantle is creating platforms for creative artists to express their unique gift, while creating commercial opportunities for art to thrive. I am a music and creative producer, songwriter, A&R executive and creative consultant. I serve as CEO of New Rivers Group Ltd, which is a start up global Kingdom Culture based music-driven multimedia enterprise. I am the editor of Thoughts of A Creative Leader, a blog dedicated to influencing creative culture. I am also passionate about improving artistic indu

With the title "creative" comes a big responsibility! It is very easy to carried away in your work and withdraw yourself from the outside. In creatives vocabulary that's what we call the "flow state", that is where creativity thrives best. Do you have to wait for inspiration to strike, or you can hack 'the zone'? And is there a fine line between following your bliss and denial/an escape of some sort? We sat down with Asher Mutandiro , a mental health blogger and we explored what is means to be a creative and the link to mental health. Here is what he had to say:  So as a blogger please share your mental health story, how do you cope as a creative? How do I cope as a creative? I really don't see much to it (mental health) maybe that is the problem, I don't see anything much to it as a creative. I have a passionate obsession for my creative work, so probably the passionate obsession makes me overlook or ignore the mental health problems I have. Do

Creativity is energy. The term "Creatives" is often synonymous with bursts of energy, bubbliness, laughter and being rebellious. Everyone thinks with creativity or being a creative you are always juiced up and ultimately get people juiced up. It seems that simple (and that difficult too). The concept that poor mental health and artistic temperament go hand-in-hand has always speculated. Above all else, let us all remember that anyone can experience mental health challenges, and creatives are no different.  In any career, individuals can face burnout, anxiety, sadness, and work-related stress. Creatives face pressures unique to their work, which can contribute to their risk of mental health issues. The labelling part  and misconceptions are not too helpful.  Practising art requires focus and concentration. This flow or meditative state can help improve our mental health, and being in a good mental space is imperative when creating. I highly recommend people to go for it. Find