The Creative Mentor Part 3: Imposter Syndrome// Burnout// Setting Boundaries// Ethics
Part 3: Mental-health month.
Over the years as I’ve worked I have seen more and more people shove mental illness down under the rug it really sucks. Because the only person who pays for doing that, is you. I don’t think companies and institutions mean to foster an environment where they want you to put your mental health second…..but they do.
This month was meant to build everyone up and validate your experience. We’re our only advocates. Be self aware, set rules and boundaries and develop good habits to keep yourself healthy and happy.
Impostor syndrome
can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success. Everyone’s journey through this, is different.
Impostor Syndrome is something that will probably pop up all over your career. Take comfort in knowing, if you’re worried about it, you’re not the only one. And that people that suck at their job, never think about Impostor Syndrome. In fact the person you look up to most, probably feels this too.
Tips
These are methods I’ve used to try to ‘talk myself out of ’ being down on myself through my own impostor syndrome.
Remember the hardest thing (s) you’ve ever had to do in your life. Remind yourself of your strength to get through them.
Literally go talk to yourself in the mirror out loud. It’s a great reinforcement to be your number one hyper person.
Remember that you have been vetted by a job, and they hired you based on your work, and ability. You are NOT Joe Some off the street.
You are not alone. The designer next to you feels this on their off days too. Take pause and take care of yourself.
You can do this.
Burnout
Burnout is the number one health concern in the working world right now. This is a very serious mental stressor that effects every worker at some point. Due to the 2020 Pandemic and the sudden shift in working from home, and job market, a lot of people struggle with burn out and should take it seriously. It is a state of mind that can lead to depression and other extreme mental distressors.
Symptoms:
Alienation from work-related activities: You’re growing cynical about your working conditions, and the people you work with. You start to distance yourself and grow ‘numb’ to your work.
Reduced Performance: Feeling negative about personal and professional tasks and lack of creativity and creative joy
Physical Effects: Similar to that of chronic stress. Aches in the body, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, headache, illness, etc.
Mental Effects: Feeling loss of control, helplessness, trouble sleeping or concentrating, unable to cope, lack of energy and joy
Setting Boundaries
It’s perfectly reasonable to set boundaries at work. So get used to it!
There are small ways you can balance your work and your life that are healthy, and need no announcement. As soon as you can, set a precedent of what it and is not appropriate for you to be doing with in the time you are at work. No company or job has a perfect work life balance. But if your environment is not flexible to your needs, that it not normal and I would encourage you to look for better opportunities. You are not a mind reader, and you are not an octopus. So embrace being human and set yourself up for happiness and success by creating work life balance boundaries for yourself. It is absolutely allowed.
Try building these out for yourself:
Blocking off time for you to spend personal time with yourself during the work day.
Taking breaks after meetings.
Getting work done reliably and managing your time as you see fit.
Choosing a time to stop answering emails to prepare for the next work day.
Going outside your job description will happen, but balance how much that happens and what it is you do.
Silence any work apps you have on your personal phone [or keep them off your phone]
Be consistent in your rules for yourself and others.
Creative Ethics in Capitalism
This is such a strange double edge sword. I want to just state it’s a privilege to let ethics enter into your decision making when taking creative jobs. I hope it’s a privilege you get with experience some day. It is an active and ongoing discussion among many in our industry and here’s some thoughts on that, that hopefully are of comfort for those who need it.
There’s no right or wrong. It’s just weird.
CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF
Being creatives working in a capitalistic society is it’s own oxymoron at times. Because of this it’s important to check in with yourself through out the year and your career to be sure you’re still fulfilled creatively and ethically and that your environment isn’t hurting your personal life or your creative joy.