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Content creators, regardless of the industry, often face unique challenges that can impact their mental health. The content creation industry is a rapidly growing field, and is changing the way people can increase their financial livelihood. Being a spicy content creator can be especially taxing and with it comes a number of mental health challenges. I have personally dealt with some of these challenges and I’ve learned over the last few years that there are ways to protect your well-being.
I was diagnosed with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder at a young age. I’ve always had to find ways to keep my mental health in balance. I also always thought that something else was off with me and I could never truly put my finger on it until I was 32 years old and went and had myself tested for ADHD. My doctors would always put it off and say that it was depression and anxiety and continue to treat me for both but I knew I was having trouble focusing and staying on track. It was a vicious cycle of them telling me what I needed when I was telling them they were wrong. They were treating me with medications for anxiety when I wasn’t anxious. I just had too many thoughts inside my head to focus on any which one no idea how to prioritize my tasks.
It’s really important to note here, that you know yourself best if you think there is something else at play, go for a second opinion or third opinion or however many opinions you need until you feel validated in the way you feel. It’s extremely important to understand how your own brain is wired. Knowing these things about yourself can help prevent yourself from struggling with your mental health.
One of the most common mental health issues that content creators face is burnout which is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Pressure to constantly produce new and engaging content can lead to stress, anxiety, and ultimately burnout. Creators often feel the need to always be ‘on’ and may struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. There are two things I do that help me prevent this. The first thing I do is take breaks. Content creators should take breaks throughout the day to relax and recharge. This could mean taking a few minutes to walk around, listen to music, or read a book. I typically like to work out and throw some music on to distract my brain from my work. It’s important to step away and come back with fresh eyes. Secondly, I set boundaries. Creators should set clear boundaries about how much time they are willing to spend working and how much time they need for themselves. It’s so easy to fall into a project and though you may lose track of time, it’s important that you have some set aside for yourself. Turning it off is just as important as turning it on for your mental health.
Content creators may experience anxiety about the success of their work, the negative feedback they may receive, and the ever-changing social media landscape. Especially when it comes to platforms like Unfiltrd where the content is so overly personal. Dealing with any type of criticism when you’re putting yourself out there on an extremely personal level is a mind game of its own. It’s important to keep in mind that your content isn’t for everyone and as long as you’re happy with what you put out, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Hand-in-hand with anxiety comes depression. Content creators may experience depression if they are not satisfied with their work, if they are struggling to keep up with the demands of the industry, or if they are facing cyberbullying or harassment. I’ve dealt with both of these personally since becoming a creator. People having not just criticized my content, but my body. As someone who doesn’t have any explicit content, to be troubled by anybody on the Internet because they’re not receiving what I’m not willing to give them is unacceptable.
I stopped dealing with the anxiety and depression aspect of it when I put the notion in my head that this is my Unfiltrd page and I’m going to run it how I see fit and if you don’t like it, GTFO. It took a lot for me to get to the notion and be able to block certain fans because I was scared, I was going to chase away potential earnings but at the end of the day there’s going to be somebody else out there who’s willing to buy your content. The abuse is not worth the money.
Some creators may experience imposter syndrome, which is a feeling of inadequacy or fraudulence. This can be triggered by the constant comparison to other content creators, the pressure to always be creating, and the fear of failure. The way I avoid this it’s just staying true to the content I want to produce and not comparing myself to someone else. I’ve done very well on Unfiltrd by doing what I enjoy. I’m not out there to appeal to the masses, just the people who are interested in what I have to offer.
Content creators may also often work alone, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. This can be exacerbated by the fact that content creators are often constantly connected to their devices and to social media, which can make it difficult to disconnect and have real-world social interactions. This is where setting boundaries comes into play again. There were days where I couldn’t step away from my phone because of whatever I posted was getting a lot of engagement and these days were where my focus was needed by my boyfriend or my family elsewhere. You have to be able to separate your actual life from that of a contact creator. It is also important for content creators to build a strong support system of friends, family, and other content creators who can offer them support and guidance. Talking to others about your experiences can help you to feel less alone and to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with the challenges of the adult content creation industry.
Unfiltrd provides you with tools to connect to other creators as well as administrators and has done an amazing job at building a strong support system for creators.One thing I did for myself two years ago that was absolutely life-changing was I found a therapist who helped me figure out how my brain was wired. The rest sort of fell into place. There is zero shame and seeking professional help when you’re struggling. Having and unbiased person in your life to help you get your thoughts and feelings prioritized was a total game changer for me. If you are struggling with your mental health, please seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Doing this as an investment in yourself and for me it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It’s important for creators to take care of their mental health by setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, seeking professional help when needed, and fostering a supportive community. At the same time, platforms and the industry as a whole must also take responsibility for creating a healthier, more sustainable environment for creators. Luckily for us, we have that with Unfiltrd!
Heather
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