We never really think about the fact that advertising is a fast-paced industry with high demand. It comes in waves of really, really crazy and stuck in the doldrums. In other words, the highs are high and the lows can be low. We saw an article the other day that talked about dealing with grief when a big project ends. It’s interesting to think about. Sometimes we spend large amounts of time on these projects and we can feel a sense of sadness when they’re over, just like any other art profession. Actors deal with this. Athletes deal with this. Academics deal with this. We will tend to experience post-project depression and it’s a real term known by psychologists. Typically, it’s coupled with triumph and satisfaction but eventually that high wears off and we’re left with sadness. Having a purpose gives you motivation and determination, so it’s good to have these projects that make you feel that way. But that said any change in familiar patterns of behavior can cause conflicted feelings. This is the definition of grief. Here are some ways to deal with career grief after a project ends.
1. CELEBRATE & REFLECT: celebrate the finish of the project and just give yourself a little time to breathe afterward. This is a time to reflect on your career and its role in your life. This is where you can look at the previous project in depth. What went right and wrong? Did you enjoy the project? How would you do it differently and how did it change your outlook? What else can you do in place of your career that you draw confidence from?
2. Feel those feelings: it’s important to not push down the feelings you are having. Feel them, make space in your life for them, and let them out, however, you need to through journaling, therapy, etc. Talking it out with someone can help you work through these emotions.
3. Be patient with yourself: give yourself time to grieve a little and adjust to your new normal. Adjust your routine if you need to fill the gaps where that project took up so much time.
4. Inspiration: look for new inspiration. What can you do to draw inspiration from? This is especially important for those in the creative fields. I know that I like to run to get my creative thoughts going. So many of my best ideas come to me when I’m just jogging along in the park in the early hours of the morning.
Career-related grief can have a huge impact on your life and your sense of self. You are not defined by your career, so it’s important to have a system in place to create self-worth in other areas of your life as well. Ask yourself these questions: What am I passionate about other than my career? What kinds of things can I do to challenge myself mentally and physically? What kinds of things do I enjoy doing in my free time? What things do I want to prioritize in my life right now?
