Weltschmerz (German: [ˈvɛltʃmɛɐ̯ts] ⓘ; literally “world-pain”) is a literary concept describing the feeling experienced by an individual who believes that reality can never satisfy the expectations of the mind,[1][2] resulting in “a mood of weariness or sadness about life arising from the acute awareness of evil and suffering”.

as per Wikipedia.

This thought just crossed my mind. Many artist which are renowned for their art and their depth of it have a story of pain behind it (e.g. Van Gogh, Beethoven, Hemmingway). If they would have used antidepressants (or not suffered physically) would they still have created their artworks they are known for?

(The question came to my mind because I feel sensitive to (at least percieved) injustice and recently it feels the world got worse in that regard. I am thinking about getting therapy (in addition to therapy and an autism diagnosis). Assuming I’d get antideperessants and also assuming I wasn’t too fucking burned out to have at least one creative hobby and also assuming the antidepressants reduce my “Weltschmerz” (and other issues) - would that potentially make me a worse artist as I can’t channel this part of me into my works?)

  • hoshikarakitaridia@lemmy.world
    1·
    4 months ago

    I think it might change your art, but let me explain why I don’t think it’s that bad: whenever you change your habits, you will notice a difference to your mood and day-to-day headspace.

    Antidepressants also change your habits, and thus they change what you think about, when you can be creative, and how you create.

    I used to be scared that I would “lose the spark” over time when my habits changed drastically or when I took breaks from my craft, and I still am, but I can tell you in 8 years I’ve always bounced back and I still do some cool things and other people like some of the things I do. It definitely changed, but I know I learn and grow and thus my experiences necessarily change anyway, and so change in inevitable. BUT: for now it hasn’t stopped me - sometimes I just need a little bit of a push.

    Honestly just see what it’s like and don’t get scared when your habits and thoughts change. Try to adapt to it and switch up your workflow if it absolutely won’t work. And don’t forget: you can always add restraints to kick-start your process. Best of luck and may your future art be beautiful as well:)

  • bsit@sopuli.xyz
    0·
    4 months ago

    Taking antidepressants does not have to reduce your creativity. Artists express their experience with their art. Sometimes it does it so well that people observing the art (through the lens of their conditioning) get moved. More damatic emotions get noticed more. But art can capture subtler experiences too. Antidepressants won’t remove your capacity to experience, it just changes the quality of the experience. Pay attention to all the qualities of your experience and you’ll notice it’s not just the intense ones that have vibrancy. You can convey that in art beautifully as well.

    The suffering artist is a known trope but don’t think it’s a prophecy.

    • Mora@pawb.socialOP
      0·
      4 months ago

      Thank your for your insight💕

      More damatic emotions get noticed more. But art can capture subtler experiences too.

      Of course, ‘everyone can be artist’. But wouldn’t the lack of the dramatic lead to a lesser chance of ‘making it big’?

      (Not that I have the desire or the skills to do that - I mean if I could spontaneously choose a super skill it would probably painting - just to probably mostly draw furry porn /jk unless)

      Pay attention to all the qualities of your experience and you’ll notice it’s not just the intense ones that have vibrancy.

      I will, once I get my brain in order. I am having a hard time recalling positive experiences right now, especially ones that are “vibrant” in any way. But I think that is the depression.

      (In my opinion everyone should try their hand at a creative hobby, no matter if classic or unconventional, and I am trying to find smething that ‘sparks joy’ but its hard right now.)

      • bsit@sopuli.xyz
        0·
        4 months ago

        Of course, ‘everyone can be artist’. But wouldn’t the lack of the dramatic lead to a lesser chance of ‘making it big’?

        Depends, because you’re not going to be conveying your experience perfectly anyway. It first goes through your own interpretative lens to the art, and then the art goes through the viewer’s lens. Big and dramatic emotions are easier… yes and as such may be more predictably marketable. But it’s a fickle business. Of course this is a concern only if marketability is how you measure “making it big”. We have a lot of art these days that’s easy to get into… and easy to drop. If you want world to remember you (Gogh wasn’t appreciated until after his death), you can try to convey something deeper and more complex.

        I am having a hard time recalling positive experiences right now, especially ones that are “vibrant” in any way.

        There’s vibrancy in deepest depression and the most boring line in the blandest grocery store. That’s for an artist to discover. But I’m not saying you should or should not take meds. But depression tends to lead to bad outcomes, and the world is full of depressed artists who didn’t make it.