Have you ever heard someone say that real artists only come from a bad childhood? Or that you had to have suffered greatly in order to be a good artist?
I have also heard that.
You know what? It is garbage. And I’m tired of this romantic self-destructive artist image.
But the funny thing is that most artists live a very unhealthy lifestyle. It almost seems to be a prerequisite in order to be a good artist. Even if you don’t think so, many people have this notion. I mean, just look around. Over 90% of my friends and people I know of who are in an artistic profession, use some kind of drug.
Artists are one of unhealthiest work-groups out there. Why is that?
We create, we give and uplift, we entertain, we make people feel and connect. We even show God.
We need great energy and passion. Why do so many destroy themselves? Well, that is quite a deep question that has many perspectives and I deal with some of them here. But let’s move on.
Are we going to talk about alcohol and drugs?
Yes, I’m afraid so. But hear me out here. I’m not saying that drugs are sooo bad and you should never take them. Personally, I don’t take any drugs but you might have another lifestyle and I am not here to lecture you, just to give you some ideas to help your creativity. Keep that in mind and read on. 
Fact: Alcohol and drugs do not make you a better artist. There exists no proof for this. It does not take you deeper spiritually and you don’t become smarter and wiser either.
While drugs might take you into a “different state” that you don’t normally experience, you will be dependent on the drug to experience this state again. And you don’t have the wisdom and capacity to understand this “deeper” state either. Essentially, you get a trip, not wisdom or depth.
Depth
Only real spiritual practice takes you deeper. Just take a look at someone who has meditated for 10 years and somebody who has taken LSD for 10 years. The answer should be clear on who has obtained more depth and health.
Free?
Drugs can free your inhibitions because it relaxes/uplifts you but this usually results in you looking/behaving less than capable. You feel you are so great because you are “drugged”. Your senses are warped so you don’t notice you are not so good after all. This is why so many believe drugs make you a better artist. It is simply not so.
Purpose of art
And isn’t your art/creation what is supposed to do all that freeing up and relaxing? Isn’t it your art that is the point?
Or are you just dependent on some drug?
Wouldn’t it be much more interesting if you could create without going into a “special”, very costly state?
And of course most drugs have a bad effect on your physical health. This should be the obvious reason why it is not that great. Why damage your instrument?
Many artists have used drugs
You might say there have been many great artists who used drugs and they were very successful, and that is certainly true. But most of these artist where not successful in their day-to-day life. They were often unhappy or unfriendly and many of them died early or destroyed their lives. I would not say they had the best relationships either. Most of them had serious depressions.
And do you really want to be like them? I mean their entire life-style?
Let’s evolve
It is time to evolve to a more integrated artist. We don’t have to drug ourselves to death anymore in order to create art. We can be artists in our entire life, not just on that “small special thing” that we do and call art. I mean, being an expert in a specific area is great but we need healthy-in-all-areas-of-life experts. Not the “mad scientist” who is a genius in one area of life but a psychopath in another. No need to be amazing at everything. But make sure you are not unhealthy in some areas of your life.
So what about inspirational use? You might ask.
Well, again I believe in balance. Even though I don’t advocate drugs I am not here to say anyone can’t find it useful. Many use drugs as an inspiration. But I have to say the negative sides are just too much of a risk. Then the whole legal problem does not help you either. The work you have to go through to obtain drugs, the money spent, the health risk and the risk of getting caught is quite considerable. Why not just put all that effort into your art?
If you need inspiration, consider meditation, nature, romance, a great coach, some new instruments/tools or a great class. This will inspire you more and is certainly cheaper and less damaging. Well, unless the teacher or lover is a psychopath of course…
In the end it is about respecting yourself, to have some self love, some time for yourself and to focus on enriching yourself to be able to create great art.
You have to start knowing that you get “in state” from the creation of, and the result of, your art.
If you only want a quick fix, why waste your time on creativity?
If this is you. I say you are hunting states. You are not really interested in creating.
Should you stop all drugs and alcohol? That is not for me to say. What I am talking about is that your art needs to come from an authentic self, an opened mind that is present.
Maybe a few people can only open with, perhaps alcohol, but this is not most people and not a good general idea.
I am also saying that way too many artists live really unhealthy lives and I don’t see this is necessary at all. Let’s keep the good artists alive longer and let’s make them enjoy their process as well.
I’m telling you that your art depends on your health and there is no reason why artists should not be healthy instead of overdosed and hung-over.
Here’s to your health!
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Hello! My name is Samuel and this blog is about "creativeness" and overcoming procrastination. Check out "about" for more info. You can also connect with me via the icons below. Enjoy your stay!
