This resonated with me in more ways than one, as a creative who manages other creatives in a high pressure, fast-paced job. It is so true deadlines drive everything but the strategy is to use them to our advantage! Knowing how to tell the difference between good stress and bad (toxic, chronic) stress is key.
Such an important reminder! It’s easy to forget that some stress is helpful, normal and healthy. And that stress is beneficial (in healthy amounts). Stress gets “villian” billing more often than not, remembering its benefits too is a flex! 💪
Any advice for someone who used to live in high stress for a long time which resulted in not having a slight feeling of stress (just guilt 🙃) which means nothing pushing me to study ??
This might not solve everything, but something that helped me was reading How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. One of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing that a lot of stress comes from fear and the stories we create in our own heads, not always from what’s actually happening.
The guilt you’re describing might be coming from a belief that you’re “not doing enough,” when in reality, you might be exactly where you need to be right now. Living in constant high stress for a long time can numb your nervous system, so when the pressure disappears, motivation doesn’t automatically show up and that’s normal.
One thing I’d suggest is a quick self-audit. Take 5 minutes or take an hour, whatever feels manageable, and honestly look at different areas of your life (personal, work/school, relationships). Ask yourself what’s adding stress, what’s being avoided, and what actually needs attention.
Try to do the hard things first, but also remind yourself that rest isn’t a reward… It’s part of the process.
Thank you for your nice article. It is true that some stress is healthy, that's how we get better and feel truly happy. I even enjoyed getting bugs in my code, because it's fun to solve them, like a puzzle, but it all changes if the bug is persistent and is too difficult to solve. In everyday life It's important to notice when there is too much stress and to learn to reduce it, let it go.
I already forgot how nice healthy stress can feel like! I recently started with a new hobby, and pursued a new challenge beside my full-time job. And yes, it’s a lot, but it also gives me so much energy!
YES! Feeling energized by proving your capacity over hard and purposeful work is high adrenaline! Your essay reminds me of the quote by Luke Burgis, "I want to go to bed exhausted at the end of the day because I poured myself out for great things, not because I'm tired from having done busy work all day", and Bukowski's "Find a passion and let it kill you".
I have a Substack publication for a year now and the huge effort involved made the total difference in how I feel nowadays (floating in the air!)
Yes! I feel this so much. Without the looming self-imposed or external deadline, I lose the drive to get things done. The healthy stress continues to motivate and push me.
This resonated with me in more ways than one, as a creative who manages other creatives in a high pressure, fast-paced job. It is so true deadlines drive everything but the strategy is to use them to our advantage! Knowing how to tell the difference between good stress and bad (toxic, chronic) stress is key.
Please keep me updated if you or when you start implementing these organic habits!
wow youre incredible! Ive got a question, how do you handle being creative within harsh deadlines? i struggle with it so much!
Completely agreed. I need to read this daily
Such an important reminder! It’s easy to forget that some stress is helpful, normal and healthy. And that stress is beneficial (in healthy amounts). Stress gets “villian” billing more often than not, remembering its benefits too is a flex! 💪
Yes! (Healthy) stress often gives you the energy you need to perform at your highest level.
Love this! I do most of these things and it does make a big difference as someone who is creative and neurodivergent.
Life changes you didn’t know you needed
Small comment but I love your branding aesthetic on this article !!
Any advice for someone who used to live in high stress for a long time which resulted in not having a slight feeling of stress (just guilt 🙃) which means nothing pushing me to study ??
This might not solve everything, but something that helped me was reading How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. One of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing that a lot of stress comes from fear and the stories we create in our own heads, not always from what’s actually happening.
The guilt you’re describing might be coming from a belief that you’re “not doing enough,” when in reality, you might be exactly where you need to be right now. Living in constant high stress for a long time can numb your nervous system, so when the pressure disappears, motivation doesn’t automatically show up and that’s normal.
One thing I’d suggest is a quick self-audit. Take 5 minutes or take an hour, whatever feels manageable, and honestly look at different areas of your life (personal, work/school, relationships). Ask yourself what’s adding stress, what’s being avoided, and what actually needs attention.
Try to do the hard things first, but also remind yourself that rest isn’t a reward… It’s part of the process.
Thank u ,this is really helpful 💗
Thank you for your nice article. It is true that some stress is healthy, that's how we get better and feel truly happy. I even enjoyed getting bugs in my code, because it's fun to solve them, like a puzzle, but it all changes if the bug is persistent and is too difficult to solve. In everyday life It's important to notice when there is too much stress and to learn to reduce it, let it go.
Interesting article! This reminds me of the flow condition, where you have the right amount of stress and difficulty. Well done!
I already forgot how nice healthy stress can feel like! I recently started with a new hobby, and pursued a new challenge beside my full-time job. And yes, it’s a lot, but it also gives me so much energy!
Interesting take, but I feel like what’s described here isn’t really stress it’s more about motivation and self-discipline. :)
Healthy Stress is What Masters Used To Tell Slaves Was Good Work.
Interesting
Nice one!
This was very helpfull thank you
YES! Feeling energized by proving your capacity over hard and purposeful work is high adrenaline! Your essay reminds me of the quote by Luke Burgis, "I want to go to bed exhausted at the end of the day because I poured myself out for great things, not because I'm tired from having done busy work all day", and Bukowski's "Find a passion and let it kill you".
I have a Substack publication for a year now and the huge effort involved made the total difference in how I feel nowadays (floating in the air!)
Yes! I feel this so much. Without the looming self-imposed or external deadline, I lose the drive to get things done. The healthy stress continues to motivate and push me.