Let’s Talk Mental Health and the Pressures Musicians Face

Chasing perfection in music can often feel like running an endless race. Have you ever sat in front of your instrument or DAW, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down? Maybe your latest track didn’t hit the streaming numbers you hoped for, or the compliments about your new work seem fewer than usual. It hits hard, especially when music is as personal to you as it is to me. In this post, we’ll explore the unique challenges of this journey and share practical tips to help you stay motivated, protect your mental wellbeing, and ultimately achieve your creative goals!

The Highs and Lows of the Music Industry

The music industry is a rollercoaster, filled with exhilarating highs and crushing lows. One moment, you’re riding the wave of a successful gig or well-received track; the next, you’re wrestling with self-doubt and criticism. This constant back-and-forth can take a serious toll on your mental health. It’s important to understand that these ups and downs are part of the journey, and caring for your mental wellbeing is just as essential as perfecting your musical craft. Everything is connected.

As musicians, we face challenges that most people in other fields might not fully grasp. Long hours in the studio, late-night gigs, financial uncertainty, and the relentless pressure to stay relevant can all add to the mental strain. It’s a fiercely competitive world, driven by a success-or-bust mentality unlike many other professions. That’s why it’s crucial to keep it all in perspective. The fear of failure, coupled with constantly comparing yourself to others, only makes it easier to fall into anxiety or depression. Which is a shame, because none of these things really have anything to do with making great music.

Neglecting your mental health doesn’t just impact your personal life – it can smother your creativity. When you’re drained or anxious, finding inspiration and focusing on your music becomes a struggle. By putting your mental wellbeing first, you create a healthier, more creative space for your music to thrive. A healthy mind doesn’t just lead to a better life; it leads to better music too. I believe music is a reflection of who you are. It’s a snapshot of what you’re feeling or thinking in a specific moment. If you’re struggling or nothing comes to mind, your music will mirror that. That’s when it’s time to step back and take care of yourself. In this way, your music can become a powerful signal, reminding you when it’s time to prioritize your mental health.

Sustain Your Music Career with a Strong Mind

One of the best ways to protect your mental wellbeing is by establishing a routine that balances work and rest. My mind is constantly focused on music and business, so finding a way to channel those thoughts effectively is crucial for me to stay clear-headed and avoid feeling overwhelmed. It might sound strange, but give yourself a set amount of time to stress and actively work on solving the issues that are weighing on you. Those feelings aren’t meant to be ignored, but rather channeled into productivity and progress. Set specific hours for creating music and tackling career challenges, but just as importantly, schedule time for rest – whether that’s reading, watching movies, or simply relaxing. A routine helps you avoid burnout and keeps you motivated. It also trains your creative mind to know when it’s time to focus on music and when it’s time to step away. This is a key first step toward turning your emotions into something positive and productive.

Having a strong support network is crucial for mental wellbeing. Surround yourself with friends, family, and fellow musicians who truly understand what you’re going through. Share your experiences and lean on each other for support, because sometimes just talking things out can make all the difference. Opening up about your music-related struggles to people who don’t fully get it can leave you feeling misunderstood. They might downplay the problem or tell you, ‘it’s not that serious.’ But fellow musicians or those who love music are more likely to relate to your challenges, offer advice, and share insights because they understand the industry or have been through similar experiences. Personally, this has been a key part of staying motivated. Having people around who guide you in the right direction just when you need it most.

Aside from mindfulness and meditation, one thing that’s really helped me get through tough times is setting realistic, reachable goals. It keeps things fun, grounded, and achievable. In the music industry, people talk about success constantly, but it’s often in extremes. From the start, musicians compare themselves to big-name artists, forgetting all the small steps it takes to get there. It’s like wanting to be at the top of a staircase without actually climbing the steps. Kind of a crazy mindset, right? The higher your goals, the longer and steeper the climb, and that can really mess with your self-reflection. You might feel like a failure just because you haven’t reached the level of that one big artist, even though you’re making real progress. It all depends on what you’re measuring yourself against.

Don’t confuse success with ambition. It’s great to be ambitious, to want to reach the heights of the artist you admire, but don’t make that your only definition of success – that’s a losing battle. It’s okay to aim high, but instead of comparing yourself to someone else’s numbers, track your own progress. Don’t set your sights on 100k streams right out of the gate, but start with 10k. Or 1k. And make a plan with goals and milestones to reach that amount of streams. That’s much more attainable, and over time, those numbers will keep adding up, bringing you closer to your bigger goal.

Make Better Music with a Healthy Mindset

The benefits of maintaining good mental health extend far beyond immediate improvements in creativity or performance. A strong mind helps sustain your music career over the long term by preventing burnout and keeping you motivated even during tough times. When you prioritize mental wellbeing, you’ll notice a boost in both creativity and productivity. A clear mind is more open to new ideas and better equipped to tackle challenges. By taking care of yourself mentally, you’re setting yourself up for better results in your music career. There are countless success stories of musicians who have thrived by prioritizing their mental health. From Ariana Grande openly discussing her therapy sessions to Bruce Springsteen being honest about his mental health – these artists show that taking care of your mind is key in this music industry. Set realistic goals for your ambitious vision by breaking your end goal into smaller, more manageable steps. And if you don’t have any big ambitions and just want to make music for the love of it, that’s perfectly fine too!

Let Us Support Your Musical Ambitions

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed or burnt out – start implementing these tips today! Small changes, like incorporating meditation into your daily routine or setting realistic, reachable goals, can have a huge impact on how you feel. And remember, you don’t have to do it all yourself or work around the clock. Consider using our recording, mixing and mastering services to achieve that professional quality while freeing up some valuable time for yourself. Here’s to your health, happiness, and continued success in music!