Questions for the little surprise I'm planning for my community. If you want to be part of this, answer to any that feels relevant to you before the last week of december ❤️
-What do you think being a tortured artist is? what does it mean to you personally?
-Have you ever thought you were a tortured artist? why?
-Do you think this narrative has helped you or pushed you back in your creative projects? Has it been more of a motivator or a hindrance?
-Do you feel this narrative has contributed to feelings of isolation, or has it helped shape your identity and sense of belonging in any way?
-Do you believe pain is necessary to create meaningful art? Have you ever feared that healing might diminish your creativity?
-Would you describe yourself as a highly sensitive person? How does this sensitivity manifest in your daily life, and where do you feel it most strongly?
-Have you experienced prolonged creative blocks? What do you think caused them, and do you feel your sensitivity played a role (e.g feeling overwhelmed or processing too much)?
-How do you navigate the balance between channeling challenging emotions into your art while taking care of your emotional well-being?
-Have you ever idealized the "tortured artist" archetype or romanticized struggles with mental health?
-In what ways does your sensitivity enrich your life, and in what ways does it create challenges?
-After you create, how do you take care of yourself after such a big vulnerability hangover?
In my 20s, I, too, romanticized the idea of the “tortured artist.” I thought the rawness of pain and the frenzy of emotions were necessary ingredients for creating meaningful art. Back then, I eagerly leaned into vulnerability, believing it was the only path to authenticity. While I’m grateful for that youthful naivety and the eagerness it brought to my work, I’ve since realized that constantly living in that emotional chaos was unsustainable. Those years taught me to honor my feelings and use them as creative fuel, but they also left me yearning for something deeper—a way to create that felt aligned and nourishing rather than draining.
Now, at 40, I’ve come to a place where I view my relationship with art differently. It’s no longer a battle or something I must suffer through, but a partnership built on trust, intention, and mindfulness. My creative process has become less about catharsis and more about harmony—a way to honor both the highs and lows of life without letting them consume me. The poem reminded me of how far I’ve come, moving from the turbulence of the “tortured artist” to the grounded freedom of the mindful artist. It made me reflect on how suffering can shape us, but it’s through self-awareness and intention that we find true creative liberation.
wow jenny 🥺 what a beautiful, wise and refreshing perspective. I want to read this over and over again 'moving from the turbulence of the “tortured artist” to the grounded freedom of the mindful artist' -love this
probably my first time leaving a comment on a substack post even though i write my own essays, but i haaaad to say something about this one!! especially the last ‘bit’/paragraph that you wrote, spoke to me like nothing else. i have been struggling with excepting greatness into my life, fully letting myself immerse in it. perhaps it is due to the fact that i got so used to constantly being stressed, that happiness for me is a foreign feeling. but! at the same time i notice beauty & love in everyday, mundane stuff. so it is a cycle that im working on to break at therapy…
thank you for leaving such a kind comment ❤️ i think it's a practise, to try and allow happiness and joy into our lives, i believe it takes quite a lot of courage. thank you for being here and witnessing me 💙
Beautiful read. I love the transitions. "What did I miss" going into "I miss...."
The * helps. A lot. I like how the repetition drives the message. This could so easily be a book. If you want it to be. Unique voice. Your choice of meals refreshing. Then how you feed a lot of mouths with details.... thank you.
This was such a gift to read. When nothing has been able to soothe my racing mind lately, your words hit a place within me that for a second, made me feel still. Still and seen. I don't feel as alone. The way I can relate to so many of the things you said. I needed to read this today and I thank you so much ❤️
You do make a difference, thank you thank you thank you
I am so moved by this poem. I can't even put it into words just yet, but it touched a part of my soul. Thank you so much for putting it into the world 🤎
Side note, I think the idea of the “tortured artist” is a tad bit romanticized, just like vulnerability is as well, often by people who seem to understand it from a distance.
Being sensitive and feeling things deeply is incredibly uncomfortable and I believe some people are using it a bit to draw some kind of sympathy, but I’m not drawn to those kinds of people.
I believe in vulnerable souls when I see one. I know the burden it takes to be like that and be constantly overly stimulated. Everything feels more intense than normal. But then, if we weren’t like this, would we be able to feel joy the way we do? It’s just the way some of us are built. We have to make something out of it. You’re doing an excellent job at that! ❤️
thank you for reading vera ❤️ and for understanding exactly what it's like to be a sensitive soul. it's both a blessing and a curse, shouldn't be shamed or romantisized. thank you for seeing me
Questions for the little surprise I'm planning for my community. If you want to be part of this, answer to any that feels relevant to you before the last week of december ❤️
-What do you think being a tortured artist is? what does it mean to you personally?
-Have you ever thought you were a tortured artist? why?
-Do you think this narrative has helped you or pushed you back in your creative projects? Has it been more of a motivator or a hindrance?
-Do you feel this narrative has contributed to feelings of isolation, or has it helped shape your identity and sense of belonging in any way?
-Do you believe pain is necessary to create meaningful art? Have you ever feared that healing might diminish your creativity?
-Would you describe yourself as a highly sensitive person? How does this sensitivity manifest in your daily life, and where do you feel it most strongly?
-Have you experienced prolonged creative blocks? What do you think caused them, and do you feel your sensitivity played a role (e.g feeling overwhelmed or processing too much)?
-How do you navigate the balance between channeling challenging emotions into your art while taking care of your emotional well-being?
-Have you ever idealized the "tortured artist" archetype or romanticized struggles with mental health?
-In what ways does your sensitivity enrich your life, and in what ways does it create challenges?
-After you create, how do you take care of yourself after such a big vulnerability hangover?
Yes. It is a gift. ❤️
thank you danni 💛 your comment before inspired me quite a lot to finish this poem
It is really beautiful. I am going to reread it. Sending love ❤️
In my 20s, I, too, romanticized the idea of the “tortured artist.” I thought the rawness of pain and the frenzy of emotions were necessary ingredients for creating meaningful art. Back then, I eagerly leaned into vulnerability, believing it was the only path to authenticity. While I’m grateful for that youthful naivety and the eagerness it brought to my work, I’ve since realized that constantly living in that emotional chaos was unsustainable. Those years taught me to honor my feelings and use them as creative fuel, but they also left me yearning for something deeper—a way to create that felt aligned and nourishing rather than draining.
Now, at 40, I’ve come to a place where I view my relationship with art differently. It’s no longer a battle or something I must suffer through, but a partnership built on trust, intention, and mindfulness. My creative process has become less about catharsis and more about harmony—a way to honor both the highs and lows of life without letting them consume me. The poem reminded me of how far I’ve come, moving from the turbulence of the “tortured artist” to the grounded freedom of the mindful artist. It made me reflect on how suffering can shape us, but it’s through self-awareness and intention that we find true creative liberation.
wow jenny 🥺 what a beautiful, wise and refreshing perspective. I want to read this over and over again 'moving from the turbulence of the “tortured artist” to the grounded freedom of the mindful artist' -love this
Oh yes, you truly are........!
Thank you for reading leon!!!
Beautifully written piece by an artist 🌅❤️
thank you Melissa!! it means a lot coming from you 🥺💗
probably my first time leaving a comment on a substack post even though i write my own essays, but i haaaad to say something about this one!! especially the last ‘bit’/paragraph that you wrote, spoke to me like nothing else. i have been struggling with excepting greatness into my life, fully letting myself immerse in it. perhaps it is due to the fact that i got so used to constantly being stressed, that happiness for me is a foreign feeling. but! at the same time i notice beauty & love in everyday, mundane stuff. so it is a cycle that im working on to break at therapy…
thank you for leaving such a kind comment ❤️ i think it's a practise, to try and allow happiness and joy into our lives, i believe it takes quite a lot of courage. thank you for being here and witnessing me 💙
Beautiful read. I love the transitions. "What did I miss" going into "I miss...."
The * helps. A lot. I like how the repetition drives the message. This could so easily be a book. If you want it to be. Unique voice. Your choice of meals refreshing. Then how you feed a lot of mouths with details.... thank you.
omg how did I miss this comment!! thank you so so much for your kind words 🥺 they mean so much to me. thank YOU.
this was such an amazing read!!
“in my lifetime, I'm going to watch tv more than I watch you.
it scares me”
this line was the line that really struck me about the moon. i feel this way as well and it was very therapeutic seeing it put into words
Thank you so much lil🥺 no one had pointed out that line so it’s really cool you felt related to it too, so glad to have you here 🌸
This was such a gift to read. When nothing has been able to soothe my racing mind lately, your words hit a place within me that for a second, made me feel still. Still and seen. I don't feel as alone. The way I can relate to so many of the things you said. I needed to read this today and I thank you so much ❤️
You do make a difference, thank you thank you thank you
I just came across this comment, thank you so so much for taking the time to read this and for your kind words ❤️ it means everything
I love this so so very much. <3 your attention to detail is incredible, gala!
thank you hannah!! 💛💛💛💛
“I have to stop picking favourites.
favourite feeling; favourite thoughts; favourite flavour of me.
i'm everything. sweet. bitter. salty like the sea.
i'm the matured plum and the ripe papaya.
i'm everything.” — i felt this so deeply
thank you for reading, it means a lot to me ❤️
I am so moved by this poem. I can't even put it into words just yet, but it touched a part of my soul. Thank you so much for putting it into the world 🤎
Lela🥺🥺 this means everything to me, thank you for reading it with such an open heart!!
“strong in the way mushrooms grow at the bottom of old oak trees… “ beautiful description of patient strength, quiet power
"I am everything"
I really felt that!
Thank you for reading Gibaldi! btw if you want to join this special thing i’m planning you’re still welcome to🌸
I would love to!!
What a delight to read this poem! ❤️
Side note, I think the idea of the “tortured artist” is a tad bit romanticized, just like vulnerability is as well, often by people who seem to understand it from a distance.
Being sensitive and feeling things deeply is incredibly uncomfortable and I believe some people are using it a bit to draw some kind of sympathy, but I’m not drawn to those kinds of people.
I believe in vulnerable souls when I see one. I know the burden it takes to be like that and be constantly overly stimulated. Everything feels more intense than normal. But then, if we weren’t like this, would we be able to feel joy the way we do? It’s just the way some of us are built. We have to make something out of it. You’re doing an excellent job at that! ❤️
thank you for reading vera ❤️ and for understanding exactly what it's like to be a sensitive soul. it's both a blessing and a curse, shouldn't be shamed or romantisized. thank you for seeing me
No problem, Gala! Always a pleasure!❤️
Lovely 👏
Thank you!! I love your poetry 💜
Thanks you 🌸