Why Support Create Me Free with a Paid Subscription

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Welcome to Create Me Free where I share all of my deep research into and musings about the complex relationship between art and mental health. While I touch on art as therapy and the benefits of creativity, I really dig into the under-discussed shadow side of how our mental health symptoms can impact our creative process, content, productivity, medium choice, identity and business. (And I believe that all of us are artists and all face mental health challenges to varying degrees.)

THE FULL DETAILS OF WHY YOU’RE HERE AT CREATE ME FREE

Thank you for being here as a subscriber to my online writing where I share deep research into the complex relationship between art and mental health. While art is often therapeutic/cathartic, mental health challenges can impact creative process, medium, content, productivity, business, and self-worth in really unique, nuanced, complicated ways.

This is something that we aren’t talking about enough, and we need to be, in order to find solutions to the problems of burnout, self-esteem battles, impostor syndrome, triggers, etc. that affect all of us when it comes to bringing our creativity into the world. (And I believe that we are all on a spectrum of being artists with mental health stressors! This isn’t limited to having a diagnosis or making a full-time living as an artist. It’s about being a human with a drive to create and a lifetime of emotional experience that interacts with that drive.)

Moreover, art has the potential to hinder/harm individuals/communities and museums/galleries/institutions are increasingly aware of their responsibility to mitigate that for artists, visitors, staff, and the public. My work explores how this is being done today and asks how we can do better. How can we maximize the amazing power of art for everyone while attending to holistic wellness and financial sustainability for all?

My work in this world is to use my education, lived experience, writing skills, and love for research to break down this complex relationship in ways that are interesting, informative, and helpful for artists of all kinds. I give myself wholly to this work, and I need your support to make it a full-time living.

WHY PAY TO SUPPORT THIS WORK?

Our expenses reflect our values and priorities. You have plenty of places where you can spend your money. Here’s what it means if you choose to invest it here:

• You believe that art is therapeutic but that there’s a shadow side that is complicated especially when people try to make a living off of their art. You sense that there is a better way. You want to help find it.

• You support the creation of a body of work that delves deep into the complex relationship between art and mental health. This isn’t just a series of articles. This aims to be a library of information, resources, and tools for empowerment that artists, teachers, therapists and others can turn to in order to decrease stigma, increase creativity, and encourage holistic health. You want to help create that library.

• You want to see galleries/museums/schools/government all provide proactive support for the mental health of artists, visitors and staff. This goes beyond “trigger warnings” and towards a deep understanding of the true interconnected, sometimes internecine, relationship between art and mental health. It is not about diluting the power of art but about making the most of that power while retaining wellness of individuals and communities.

• You believe writers and artists should earn a livable wage. I have nearly twenty years of experience as a full-time writer, and I’ve been deeply committed to this specific niche for over a decade. When you support my work, you help me make a livable wage doing this work. That doesn’t just support me. It also shows the world that we believe that writers and artists should earn a real income.

• Moreover, I put that money back into other artists and writers. I give a minimum of ten percent of my pre-tax earned income directly back to other artists/writers/makers/performers. I believe in keeping as much money as possible circulating within our creative community. If you also believe that, support it.

• You want to be in community with others who are interested in this issue. Each week, I’m sharing excerpts from the best writing here on Substack related to this niche. This includes links, additional information for research, commentary on the importance of the piece to the body of work, etc.

• You believe that art matters. You believe that mental health matters. You want others to see that you support this core belief.

Do I Get Anything Else For a Paid Subscription?

I have toyed around with many different ways to increase people’s interest in paying for this work. Over the years, I’ve done that through GoFundMe, Kickstarter, Patreon and now here. I’ve offered themed merchandise, handmade art, bonus written content, signed books, and more. But what I’ve found is that this entices people in but doesn’t necessarily keep people around. Ultimately, what I want is to find a group of people who are interested in support the entire body of work because they believe in that cause. No gimmicks, no extras required, you’re here for the long haul because you believe in that work.

That said, I’m exploring the best ways to offer additional paid content in the future that will align with the values and goals of Create Me Free. To that end, in the future, as a paid subscriber, you might have access to:

• Personalized support for your creative process and mental health journey. Want to chat? Email? Ask me about how to apply what I’m learning to what your own unique issues are? I want to help! While I’m not a licensed therapist, I do have a Masters in counseling psychology, and experience working directly with creative people who are struggling to achieve financial, creative, and wellness balance. Let’s chat.

• One of my goals has been to turn my book Crochet Saved My Life into an audio book. I’m also working on a second edition of the book. I think that Substack is a great place to do both of those things. This content will also be behind the paywall.

• And/or a podcast more broadly about the relationship between art and mental health.

• Random bonus stuff when I am inspired to share. In the past, I’ve created handmade art cards and art books that I’ve sent out via mail to anyone who wanted them. Audio and video content. Merch (mugs, totes, t-shirts) related to art and wellness. Signed copies of finished books.

This is all a maybe. It is not a guarantee, as I’m taking my time to figure out the best course forward. Details to come.

I offer paid subscriptions at $10 per month or $100 per year. This is aligned with my personal financial needs and goals. And it works out to about 25 cents per day or less than $2 per week.

However, I also know that everyone struggles with allocating finances. Therefore, I also offer a Pay What You Can annual option starting at just $10 per year.