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If I took antidepressants for my Weltschmerz (world-weariness)... would I become a worse artist? (pawb.social)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
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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?)

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[–] [S] 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

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.)

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago* (1 child)

    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.

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