The Creative Hangover: Understanding the Emotional Rollercoaster of Artistic Expression
Artists are no strangers to the emotional highs and lows that come with the creative process. The elation of bringing a project to completion is often followed by a sense of emptiness and exhaustion. This phenomenon, commonly known as a “creative hangover,” has recently been explored in a study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology.
The study, led by researchers Kaile Smith and Jennifer Drake from the Department of Psychology at the City University of New York, tracked 355 adults over 13 days using daily diary surveys. Participants were divided into two groups: creative practitioners and comparison participants. Creative practitioners were individuals who earned income from creative work, formally studied a creative discipline, or devoted over 20 weekly hours to serious creative hobbies, while comparison participants engaged in creative activities at more typical levels.
Using the PERMA framework to measure well-being (which includes Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment), the researchers found that both groups reported feeling significantly better on days when they engaged in creative activities. However, the morning after their most creative days, professional artists experienced a dip in mood, while casual creators tended to carry forward the positive feelings from their creative endeavors.
According to Smith and Drake, the emotional toll experienced by creative practitioners may be attributed to the intense self-regulation required in professional creative work. Managing emotions, overcoming obstacles, and continuously revising one’s approach can be mentally taxing, leading to a “next-day emotional cost” for artists. Additionally, the pressure to perform, produce, and evaluate one’s work can contribute to feelings of melancholy following a burst of creativity.
Despite the emotional challenges, the study revealed that creative practitioners actually started out with higher baseline well-being than the comparison group. They reported feeling more engaged, connected to others, and deriving a greater sense of meaning from their lives. While the daily grind of artistic pursuits may come with its difficulties, the overall psychological rewards of a life dedicated to creative work are apparent.
Interestingly, the study also highlighted a difference in how the two groups responded to negativity. Casual creators often turned to creativity as a mood stabilizer, with feelings of sadness or frustration leading to increased creativity the next day. In contrast, professional artists were less influenced by their emotional state, as they often have to create regardless of how they feel.
As Drake emphasized, the findings of the study underscore the complexity of the relationship between creativity and well-being. While creativity may have its challenges, the rewards of a life immersed in artistic expression are undeniable. Understanding the nuances of the “creative hangover” can help artists navigate the emotional ups and downs of their craft with greater insight and resilience.
