How do you stay positive?

natchevil 2017-09-15 19:19:31 UTC #30

I just finished dealing with the biggest rumble with depression in a decade.
The level of despair was such that I contemplated selling my tablet and computer and trashing all my sketch books.

I'm better now.

But that kind of pitch in your heart is a toughy.
I would not be drawing today if it were not for my friends.
Fans of my work since when I started drawing Natch Evil back in 2001.
Hardcore fans who have seen me dive into these kinds of fits before.
They grabbed me on discord and listened and talked and offered to show up and beat the crap out of me until I saw sense.
You know.
Pals.

I credit my friends and my fans for keeping me going.
And I honestly don't deserve them.

Now to draw another page.

Rayenae 2017-09-15 21:51:36 UTC #31

Thanks a lot for making it, I've been going through some rough stuff myself and this thread really helped. Lately I've been kind of depressed and started questioning whether I even really enjoyed doing this or if I really wanted to continue doing it. I found just making myself do it anyway actually helped me feel better. I think I was building it up as being more of a chore than it really is.

XzynderVexymous 2017-09-15 22:57:00 UTC #32

MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES.

These motivate you to do something. Listen to DIFFERENT speeches daily and you will have to motivation to take over the world.

Sanz 2017-09-15 23:33:31 UTC #33

My positivity is a lie. I have to tell myself to be happy. Or people will ask what's wrong and I know no one cares.

joe_galindez 2017-09-15 23:47:12 UTC #34

"Conan! What is best in life?"

Rayenae 2017-09-15 23:59:39 UTC #35

I hope it's ok to do a self-post here, but I'm currently working on a series that's all about positive affirmations and mantras to help with motivation and other issues. I've just started (6th episode goes up Sunday), so don't have a whole lot that apply to work/creativity specifically yet, but I thought this one in particular was a good one to share.

For me, the number one thing that I seem to have a problem with is that I try to take on too much at once, or set lofty goals for myself, and then go into a depression when I don't achieve it. I need to remind myself a lot that I'll actually get a lot farther taking a lot of Baby Steps, than constantly starting and stopping from all the issues that come with being TOO ambitious.

punkarsenic 2017-09-16 00:00:28 UTC #36

ohhhh...

im pretty damn bad at that. watching good tv helps

samueltcopp 2017-09-16 04:07:29 UTC #37

For me, I just go forward. Things don't always go your way or how you imagined, but you just continue. I forget where I have heard it, but "you have to fall in love with small and big will be attracted to you."

Testaccount 2017-09-16 07:03:28 UTC #38

You're welcome! When times are rough, it's nice to have supportive people to lean on^^

I hope things get better for you =)

Wishjacked 2017-09-16 11:35:32 UTC #39

I pace in circles for at least 45 minutes every night. I know, that sounds insane. But it really gives me a good time-out where I can't be doing any work, which is important for decompressing. I spend the time praying or listening to music, or just thinking about things.

Sometimes I'll get home from work at midnight or later and I'll still pace for a good bit before bed because it's such a helpful thinking/decompressing tool. The brain just loves repetition, haha. Give it some routines. XD

joe_galindez 2017-09-16 12:18:46 UTC #40

I do something something similar, but for 3 minutes out of every 45. Gotta irrigate the extremities with blood.

shaylafarley5 2017-09-16 14:23:17 UTC #41

Sounds like the navy. It hard to stay motivated when your constantly stuck around negative people for 4-6 years

lunaartemisasama 2017-09-16 16:17:50 UTC #42

Alcohol (don't do this kids!) ...oh wait that's avoiding reality :P.

Actually, doing karaoke works for me and remembering that I am alive, I have a place to sleep, food to eat and people that care about me.

IdiotWithPencil 2017-09-16 16:52:59 UTC #43

have really low expectations and be as cynical as possible

Testaccount 2017-09-16 17:30:48 UTC #44

I usually do have low expectations, especially when it comes to other people =)

69Michi 2017-09-16 17:34:51 UTC #45

My friends always question how I manage to stay positive all the time so here is my trick:

Care as less as possible. It doesn't worth your effort or time to dread over it. Earth is still spinning, people are still living, tomorrow will still come, the sun will still rise.

mariodominguezsoler 2017-09-16 17:45:05 UTC #46

I think: Keeping myself always working and reading comic-books. The best, I think, is trying to not stress yourself.

joe_galindez 2017-09-16 17:47:27 UTC #47

Give fewer shits, got it.

69Michi 2017-09-16 17:49:36 UTC #48

HAHAHA Yes, basically. That is always my response to thing, "I don't have enough f*ck to give for this shet."

Edit: Unrelated but this crack me up because I got this notification just as I was typing this reply:

Testaccount 2017-09-16 18:00:11 UTC #49

^^^^^ <- That's where I'm at, and I totally agree with you.