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Hey, this isn’t going to be easy to write, but I truly believe it’s important to talk openly about mental health and the times when we’re struggling, just as we share our happy moments and success stories. So, over the past 2–3 years it has become increasingly difficult for me to paint or draw.

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I have the same issue. I have even started projects, get half way through and abandon it. My ceramics studio hasn't been touched in 8 years. I have a brand new kiln and wheel. I used both one time. It's cold in the basement, not comfortable, so I don't do it. What I did was go back to something I

haven't touched in years. I made a goal to do just one part per day of a quilt project. It's something I can do without to much thought other than math to figure out what I need. I put on some music or a pod cast, and run the sewing machine. By the time I got half way through the quilt and started

seeing it put together, I found I was enjoying it. The key was I stopped putting pressure on myself to create a million items. I put one item in front of myself and work on it. If I don't like it, I purge it and store it away. I also started cleaning my studio and I am finding some things I put

away that I like. I started putting those things in a different area to complete. I gave myself a break by working on half finished items to completion. It give a sense of satisfaction. It's all small instant gratification and now I'm thinking of some of the new projects to start. I'm drawing them

I'm sorry you've been having such a hard time. It sounds like you are suffering from severe burnout. Taking a break from art would be the best thing for your health if you can. I hope you can get some rest 💚

It’s something that’s been slowly progressing over the years. Lately, even sitting down in front of a paper feels almost impossible. It’s like the part of me that has always made me want to draw and paint, since I was a child, has slowly faded away, and I don't know how to bring it back.

I often think about the Nothing from The Never Ending Story. That’s what it feels like sometimes, as if I can’t feel anything anymore and nothing really matters to me. And somewhere along the way, the spark that once made me want to create art just disappeared.

Shortly after the covid lockdown, my grandparents’ health began to decline rapidly. Until they eventually passed away, I helped my mother take care of them. Our entire lives revolved around looking after them and organizing our schedules to make sure they were never alone.

I’ve also spent the past few years dealing with a family member struggling with severe mental health issues and addiction, who has repeatedly threatened me for money and tried to break into my house. After years of trying to help, I finally set boundaries, but things have only gotten worse since.

What you are describing in your experiences is something in some way I imagine many others have been dealing with, parts of it i directly connected to. Just want you to know that you are being rooted for and wishing you the best going forward at the pace you need