Maintaining Mental Health as a Writer

I come from tough stock. My parents emigrated from Haiti to the United States in the late 60s with limited resources but boundless love, ambition, and pride in their heritage, building a life of opportunity from scratch for my sister and me. Growing up as the child of immigrants in the less inclusive 70s and 80s had its challenges, but those experiences empowered me. I then moved to Sweden and applied those learnings to my new, foreign surroundings. And when I suffered the greatest tragedy of my life—my mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis in 2004—her strength and graceful acceptance became my blueprint for navigating pain and adversity.

So why am I so deeply affected by the emotional volatility of my writing life?

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to address the effects that writing and the pursuit of publication can have on one’s psyche. To be clear, I am by no means equating this chosen vocation with profound suffering and hardship—wars, illness, famine, abuse, poverty—but the psychological intensity of artistic work can still erode our emotional balance, affecting how we handle pressure and disappointment, which in turn shapes how we think, feel, act, manage stress, and relate to others.

As a writer, I put my mind, heart, and soul into every book, pushing through my doubts and insecurities to connect with readers. But the road to that communion is also fraught with creative blocks, uncertainty, rejection, judgment, and burnout. The thrill of creating art and presenting it to the public is intoxicating. Still, the agony of an “I’ll have to pass” letter from an agent or publisher, along with a poor review from a reader, can be like a punch to the gut and thrust you into a state of despair.

With my first three novels, the obstacles fueled my dreams of writing and publishing. I was adept at pivoting and found joy—and validation—in small wins and anything that enhanced my learning curve. However, by the time I completed the manuscript for my fourth novel, a difficult experience with my then-publisher tested me in jarring ways. My emotions ranged from confusion to desperation to anger to resignation. I did not recognize myself. Where was the stable, determined daughter of immigrants who had spent a lifetime defying expectations and the limitations others tried to place on her? She was shrinking inside. Behind my smiles was a sense of failure and embarrassment.

How did I get out of this funk? As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share some of my coping mechanisms from this challenging period of my life as an author. Although I knew what triggered my malaise, overcoming it demanded that I swallow my pride and actively participate in the healing process.

·       Talk about it. My husband is my biggest supporter, and I needed his forward-thinking attitude. He was sympathetic, but didn’t encourage shame or wallowing in sorrow. Eventually, that tough love helped me open up to trusted writer friends. Having a community makes a huge difference, and once you unlock the door and show some cracks in the woodwork, you’d be surprised how forthcoming others become.

·       Seek professional help. In my case, I enlisted the services of a Master Certified Coach who bolstered my author mindset with strategies for handling rejection, overcoming imposter syndrome, and strengthening my sense of self-worth. I’m not a big crier, but I sobbed at one of our sessions, releasing the anguish that my personal crisis had caused. My biggest takeaway was her advice to adopt a neutral mindset in the face of every professional setback—don’t overanalyze, don’t overdramatize. File it away, and move on.

·       Don’t compare yourself to others. Let’s be honest: with social media, especially Instagram, it feels like every other writer is clocking six-figure book deals, film options, celebrity book clubs, awards, and bestseller lists—except you. However, it’s important to remember that every success story is different and achieved through factors distinct from one’s own—talent, tenacity, timing, luck. Focus on being inspired, not demoralized by their journey.

·       Take breaks. A time-out can involve putting the manuscript aside for a couple of hours, days, or weeks. When the writing elicits more anxiety than satisfaction, it’s a sign to take a step back and recharge your mental and creative batteries.

·       Commune with nature. Shut down the computer, leave your desk, and go outside. Take a walk, go running, smell the fresh air, listen to the birds chirping, gaze at the ocean. Absorbing the vastness of the natural world is grounding because, while my book may be essential to me, the fate of the planet does not rest on it.

·       Develop interests outside of the literary space. Reading has always been my favorite pastime. However, once writing became my career, reading for fun no longer gave me the same carefree pleasure. I approached books with the critical eye of a reviewer or editor, not the generous spirit of a reader. And whenever I found myself in a reading slump, I felt like I had lost an integral part of my personality. I realized I needed to nurture other leisure pursuits. I rekindled my love of tennis, and chasing a ball on the court has been the perfect counterbalance.

·       Separate your Work and Self. Writing is my passion, but I cannot let it consume me; emotional distance is healthy and essential. If I want to be in this for the long haul, I have to develop professional survival strategies. A ghosted email does not make me a failure. Rejection is redirection, not a verdict on my ability or self-esteem. I can still be committed without tying my whole identity to the outcome. This perspective has given me clarity and confidence.

Maintaining my mental health as a writer requires continuous work. I’m only human, so sometimes I don’t follow my own advice. However, I do check myself, and I’m much better equipped to deal with the mercurial nature of the literary life than I was three years ago. So, I wrote this very long post to tell my fellow writers that they are not alone. I see you—and I feel you. Even emotionally resilient people can be destabilized by rejection and uncertainty, and having open, honest conversations will remove the stigma around it. The very act of putting one’s work out there is inherently brave and powerful. We mustn’t forget that when this path we’ve chosen delivers twists and turns.

Sending comfort and care, but if you are in immediate distress or crisis, please reach out to a professional counselor or a crisis hotline.