Music Production and Depression – 10 Steps for Coping 😞 #mentalhealth #depression

About this video

• Video Title: Music Production and Depression – 10 Steps for Coping 😞 #mentalhealth #depression
• Channel: EDM Tips
• Speakers: Will
• Duration: 00:09:52

Overview

This video discusses depression among music producers and musicians, exploring potential reasons for this vulnerability and offering a 10-step personal checklist for coping. The speaker emphasizes that he is not a psychologist but shares strategies that have worked for him.

Key takeaways

• Reasons for Producer Depression: Isolation, lack of collaborative goals, and an over-attachment to the outcome of music rather than the creative process itself.
• Step 1: Integrity Check: Assess if any actions or inactions have compromised personal integrity and address them promptly through atonement or apology.
• Step 2: Physical Health: Ensure adequate exercise and a healthy diet, while limiting alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Step 3: Gratitude and Perspective: Realize and appreciate one's blessings, acknowledging the opportunities and quality of life available compared to previous generations or those in more challenging circumstances.
• Step 4: Altruism: Shift focus from personal struggles to helping others feel good, which can alleviate one's own negative feelings.
• Step 5: Social Connection: Engage with friends or be around people to combat feelings of isolation and depression.
• Step 6: Universal Experience: Recognize that depression is a common human experience, not a unique affliction, which can reduce feelings of isolation.
• Step 7: Outcome Attachment: Avoid comparing oneself to others' curated online personas or chasing external validation; instead, focus on personal progress and improvement.
• Step 8: Meaning and Enjoyment: If experiencing profound depression, consider that life is a ride; try to enjoy it and help others do the same, acknowledging that even in meaninglessness, experience can be valued.
• Step 9: Acceptance and Persistence: If all else fails, accept the current state as a temporary "funk" and continue applying the coping steps, knowing that it will eventually pass.

To help you tailor this, I need a bit more information. Please tell me:

1. What is your current situation or specific challenge? (e.g., "I'm feeling isolated because I work from home," "I'm struggling with creative blocks," "I'm feeling down after a project didn't go as planned.")
2. What aspects of the video resonated with you the most? (e.g., "The idea of focusing on the process, not just the outcome," "The importance of social connection," "The gratitude exercise.")
3. What are your goals? (e.g., "I want to feel more motivated," "I want to connect with people more," "I want to get back into making music without feeling overwhelmed.")

Once I have this information, I can help you identify which of the 10 steps are most relevant and how you might apply them to your specific circumstances.

Based on the video transcript, here are the steps you can take to address feeling depressed and frustrated as a musician:

The speaker outlines a 10-step personal checklist and offers initial reasons why musicians might feel this way.

Potential Reasons for Your Feelings (from the video):

• Isolation and lack of social interaction: Spending a lot of time alone in studios.
• Lack of group effort towards a shared goal: Working on your own music without a collaborative team.
• Attachment to the outcome rather than the process: Focusing too much on how well your music performs or is received, rather than the enjoyment of creating it.

Your Specific Steps (from the speaker's 10-step checklist):

1. Check your integrity: Ask yourself if you've done something or not done something that you know you should or shouldn't have. If the answer is yes, figure out how to apologize, atone, or fix the situation quickly, and then do it.
2. Have you done enough exercise lately? If not, make an effort to exercise. Go for a walk, run, or hit the gym.
3. Have you been drinking too much alcohol lately? If yes, consider stopping or reducing your intake for a while, as alcohol can negatively impact mood.
4. Have you been eating healthily? If you've been eating a lot of junk food, try to eat more healthily, at least during the week, and allow yourself treats on the weekends.
5. Stop and realize how lucky you are: Take a moment to count your blessings. Acknowledge that you have basic needs met (food, shelter), and likely have opportunities and freedoms that many others do not.
6. Are you thinking about yourself too much? Consider what you could do to make someone you care about feel great, and then do that.
7. Be honest about it with someone who cares about you, or get out and be around people: Confide in a friend, or simply go out and be in the company of others, like at a gym or with friends.
8. Realize that many people go through this: Understand that depression is a common human experience. You are not alone, and thinking you are can make it worse.
9. Are you attached to an egotistic desired outcome? If you're chasing fame or recognition and that's causing frustration, try comparing yourself to your past self (are you better than you were yesterday?) rather than to others you see online.
10. The "Humdinger" Step: If you're experiencing deep depression where nothing seems to have meaning, acknowledge that life is like a ride. Try to enjoy the ride, even if it feels empty, and help others enjoy theirs. If this extreme feeling persists, accept that you're in a "funk" and know that it will pass with time, continuing to perform your duties.

The speaker also adds a crucial disclaimer: he is not a psychologist. If you have suicidal thoughts, please seek help from a qualified professional.