Antenatal Depression and Feeling Uninspired | He-ART To He-ART | Emily Artful 

I went through post-natal depression. You can keep working at your art. Just make sure you get enough sleep post-baby. I was in Law school when I had my daughter and felt more tired than I thought possible until my husband took over one of the middle of the night feediings. You will get through it - my wonderful daughter is 31!

I completely understand what you're going through. Just had my third baby! Just remember, even if you aren't creating art, you are creating a human, haha! The inspiration will come back. For me being kind to myself and keeping at it (with art) helps me retain my personal identity (which can be very shaken after having a baby, especially for artists). I'm here for you!

I'm a schizophrenic and this video made me feel less alone. Thank you

Don't give up on anything. You are going to be a great Mom. I had to give up on drawing and painting when my kids were little because I had a husband who walked out, and I focused on survival. Every situation is different and don't let people tell you what you have to give up. My kids are grown now and I picked up drawing and painting again two months ago. Things work out how they are supposed to.

The piece is stunning, by the way.

I had really bad ante-natal depression. It was bad. I almost cant talk about it without getting very worked up and emotional. It was very difficult and not many people get it. Im glad to see people talking about it. Thank you.

i'm sorry, but whoever told you that you can't do art anymore is stupid. art is a part of who you are and giving that all up for the sake of motherhood seems unrealistic. like you said, art is gonna be part of your kid's life and i think that's fricken awesome. unrelated: eyy this was uploaded on my birthday!

Emily, don't feel guilty. I had depression in my first trimester really bad. But into my second, I bought a super cheap set of Watercolors from micheals and that's where my love for Watercolors started ! Everyone told me I wouldn't have time for art once the baby was here. And to give you a more realistic idea of what its going to be: newborns are the easiest part, because you will have the most time. As he gets older he will take less naps and you will have less and less time as that goes on. My son is a TERROR. destroys everything in his path LOL. You don't have to give it up but there will days when you can't do art let alone go to the bathroom on your own. You made an amazing piece of art, and no matter what we totally support you and your decisions. 💕❤️

Wow you are growing so much in your art Emily. The watercolor techniques you're using lately are amazing.

My mum dealt with incredibly bad postnatal depression (depression after pregnancy), we had to force her to go to the doctors after having one of my younger brothers who's now 6 due to her having mental breakdowns. It got to the point where my parents broke up for a couple weeks because my mum was struggling so much and wasn't bonding with one of my younger brothers. She started medication in the end and last year stopped them, she is much better now but it has put her off having more children (I have 5 siblings anyway I don't need more). She got a lot of negative comments such as "you've just had a child shouldn't u be happy" but I'm glad she is better now 🙂

I remember when I started feeling my son grow and stretch my body I felt a little freaked out that I would have to deal with this for another 6 months-a little scary, but then I just said, well think of all the fun after going through this. Hope all is going well with you today.

You can get through this! Just think of the inspiration you'll have once your baby is here!

How you talked about the situation where people say that you'll have to give up art once you have your child was beautiful. I think it's amazing that you're going to share this experience with him. It's always sad to see people give up something they love just because another thing distracted them from it. I'm really glad that you're not going to listen to the people who tell you that you can't and that you're going to do whatever you want instead.

after weeks of art block I just had this massive burst of inspiration

I know this is a year old, but my god it was great to hear! I wish I had seen this video 3 years ago, it was wonderfully motivating. And the painting is stunning! It describes perfectly how I felt on a daily basis for 3 years. I suffered from post natal depression after having my first child leading into antenatal and post natal depression again after having my second. Basically I was just a depressed mess with zero inspiration or motivation. Unfortunately my only visit to a therapist was completely unhelpful and I left feeling worse than before so I decided to just power through it. Probably not the best way to go about it but now I’m thankfully pretty much out of it except for sad days here and there, and I’ve even started to paint again and really feeling more like myself and whole. You’ve made me feel less alone in this. Thank you for sharing your experience and your art. 💜

Realize I’m way late to this show and you’ll probably never read this but I have to say: I’m 35- I have three kids ages 1-8 and the time we spend together creating things are some of my happiest. I feel more creative now than ever. You learn to snag free time for yourself when you can otherwise you find joy in encouraging their endless imagination. Love your art and your channel!

I'm kind of glad you decided to talk about antenatal depression. I've been struggling with this my entire pregnancy so far. It didn't help that I never wanted a child to begin with. It's been hard to talk to anyone at all about it because if you're not 100% pumped about becoming a mom and being pregnant than most people tend to jump down your throat for being a bad mom and being a horrible person. I can't even speak to my own friends about antenatal depression because one of my close friends lost her baby, and whenever I just talk about how I feel she gets quiet, and I know it hurts her. So I just have to avoid it for her sake. But it's hard waking up everyday wishing you never woke up, and it's hard when your own spouse can't understand how much pregnancy affects you, and that just because you're pregnant and hormones are high that the pain isn't any less real. And it sucks going to work wearing the maternity uniform because it's almost universally assumed that you got pregnant to avoid working, that you're lazy and aren't a team player, even though now, for me at least, I'm being made to of 4 at the office because we're understaffed and I can't sleep in the field. It's just nice to hear that there are other women who kind of get it. I'm just watching your videos while I work because I love watching you work on paper with water colors. Digital art can be fun to watch but there's nothing quite so satisfying as watching the colors blend themselves on paper, and how they dry. Especially because there's no undo on paper, and you have to get it right the first time. Hope you and your son are doing well.

Your talent knows no bounds.

Thank you for this. I'm going through depression at the moment and I'm finding a distinct lack of motivation to make art. I've had to stop calling myself an artist with confidence because I don't do any (out of classwork) anymore.

I always come back to this video when I need a an artistic boost! Your words really resonate 💜🎨 thank you

You are getting so good!

For the first time you made me cry talking about the deep instant love you feel for your little one the moment you see that line on the test. Because just last year I saw that line & less than 3 weeks later I lost that little one & this past year was the second darkest time of my life trying to cope. But luckily I have a 7yr old already who pulled me through that sadness 💙

During my post partum depression i FORCED myself to paint. I told myself that i will make garbage, if it was, into beauty. And it really worked. Also btw, ur vids help me so much with my artwork. Ur ideas and the style u use is very close to mine so im glad to look at ur videos and i am inspired by ur channel and especially ur storytelling bc I GET IT. U just have to keep telling yourself that nothing this bad can last forever. It applies to everything for me. So take mental image of everything. Without the bad we're less likely to appreciate the good.

Not too long ago, I felt this way ... It's wearying because the aftermath stays for days at times ... and yet people dare to call it a mere cry for attention. But they themselves cry too. If no one once cries in their life for whatever reason, I don't think they're human.

Sometimes watching videos like this make me crave art, it makes me want to create something on the deepest level and its the best feeling in the world

I love so much of your stuff, but this is my VERY FAVORITE piece. It just resonates with my soul. I always appreciate your honesty and willingness to be candid with us. Thank you for speaking and sharing about something so many woman are affected by but sometimes feel shame in dealing with. I am watching your videos from oldest to newest and it's been so wonderful seeing your story grow and evolve through art.

I've had a severe anxiety and panic disorder for a couple years but it lead me to a toxic relationship. He broke me down to be suicidal and feel useless - since he broke up with me, it's practically disappeared. The overwhelmed feeling you speak about at the end is what still gets me occasionally, especially if I'm struggling with art block. I get the feeling - it sucks.

Thank you for seeing that children aren't a hindrance they are just another part of the story.

This is my favourite of your pieces so far wowowowow

I just made a video about me talking a bit about this kind of depression. I had a horrible depression after my pregnancy and it lasted for a long time about 6 years. I didn't really think about it until I just recently started getting back into my artwork and it really made me reflect on the past and my depression.

You got this emily don't worry we will be here until your ok we love you so much your very inspiring i have most of your drawings in my sketchbook and i really thankful for that im really blessed to meet a woman like you emily never lose hope to yourself and God he will help you through your hardest days like this one don't worry very much emily artful -Aaron

I hope you look at this piece now and realize that you made it! You have a wonderful family, you are an inspiration and you channel is awesome!

I had a friend who did give up on her career when her daughter was born and it broke my heart. Her husband was not as participatory as Mr. Artful, and she said 'What am I supposed to do? Park her in front of a tv so I can paint? What kind of mother would That make me?" She said she'd never paint anything as beautiful as her baby girl and so she stopped. I'm so glad you didn't❤️️

Love keeping up with you through videos, Emily. Sorry to hear you've struggled with this pregnancy, but major respect for being so open about it online. I have yet to be this public with the trouble I had throughout high school & college. Sending love & can't wait to see pictures of your son on FB/YT

I really love this piece! It perfectly captures how I feel most of the time.

This is my absolute favorite piece of yours of all time.. it may be my favorite piece in general... it just speaks it's own language in a way you cant explain wow I love it!!!!

So glad to know you're okay! We've all missed you so much, and I think everyone understands that you're going through a tough time. I thnk you've been really strong and brave so please keep being so! Also, I absolutely love your art!

very beautiful she reminds me of this anime Land Of The Lustrous its a very thoughtful and deep show u may like it for urself in ur down time

Thank you, I'm glad I finally have the name for what I went through. I knew I had been depressed for all 4 of my pregnancies, some more severely than others. I know in part it was from the severe nausea, I spent 8 months puking almost everyday, up to 15 times a day. But beyond that I felt no joy in anything. Even to the point that I did not bond with either of the 2 full term pregnancies until they were born. It's so nice to know I wasn't the only one who has been there.

I absolutly adore this piece!!

Definitely relatable, kinda. I’ve been diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) since like 12 and even with meds I still have those days, weeks, or even months where I just don’t have any sort or motivation or inspiration for art and I always feel like I’m letting everyone down with the resulting lack of uploads.

The only time I haven't struggled with depression was right after the births of my kids...lol. post natal happiness! I mean...I'll take it.

I haven't drawn anything meaningful in 2 months because of art block this helped me concentrate and draw something from the heart thanks

this is so beautiful! i think its my favorite peace of yours! it is amazing!!!😍😍😍

I wish I had understood all you do, when I was pregnant. You're right though, my son is now 8 and it really didn't take long for us to draw together. He now gives me ideas for things to draw :).

This is stunning and you touched a taboo subject so well 😀

I get mab graves vibes from this piece it’s stunning ❤️

This video is awesome. It's so sad that so many people see starting a family as trading down because you have to put so much of yourself into raising a child instead of your other interests and activities. It's terrible that so many women are made to feel that way! It's incredibly fulfilling and meaningful to raise a child, and it's not a bad thing to choose being a mom over everything else. If a woman wants to have a successful career, she should absolutely do it! If she chooses being a mom and a homemaker while putting her other interests on the back burner instead, that is absolutely awesome too! And she shouldn't be told that she's giving anything up.

I had antenatal depression with my first and it was the worst.

Emily....Here's to closing old chapters and the beginnings of new and better chapters, may this next chapter be everything you want and hope for and more.

I think this painting is my favorite!! Though I like so many u make!!😄

I'm expecting my first baby and was lucky to find this video just now. At the very beginning of my pregnancy, I'd always feel this void inside my chest, I felt this overwhelming and unexplained sadness out of the blue, I felt bad for not knowing if I really wanted to become a mom when it was something I had really desired for so long, I didn't know what to do with those feelings, because like you said, everybody takes it as the hormones doing their thing plus this being my first pregnancy. I've gotten away from my art during all this time due to not feeling inspired at all and literally having no energy to start anything new (project speaking) and also because we've struggled a little with a threatened miscarriage at the beginning, so I just got so focused on my pregnancy and worried about everything that could go wrong that I totally lost all source of inspiration and left my art stuff abandoned; every now and then I would try to sketch something or paint, but I at the end I'd only left it on the unfinished pile. Yesterday I watched your videos again and they inspired me to keep going with my art, I grabbed my sketchbook and put myself to complete some unfinished pieces I had. I felt great while painting, I felt happy and inspired to do lots of new stuff!! I forgot how complete I could feel whenever I was drawing or painting ♥ I'm on my third trimester now, and every time I feel my baby moving I imagine myself sharing this part of me with him, I want him to be there watching what I do, even drawing with me if he wants, but I sure know now that art is something I don't want to give up just for becoming a mom, it's a part of me and it helps me whenever I feel hopeless or sad. I love your art, Emily, and I really admire you and your way to always overcome the bad stuff and be so open to us about it, for whoever that might be going through something similar, at least it really has helped me :) Keep going girl! (sorry for the long comment :P)

Keep being great! I love your voice, videos and art. I am truly glad that I am subscribed to you, you are helping me with a lot of things. Nice video! :)

we all have poopy days and feeelings :(

Oh my gosh.. Im literally going through this right now. Its so frustrating have a complete lack of inspiration when im usually overflowing with it!

Thank you for making this. Going through this rn and it’s nice to know I’m not alone 🙂

I love this piece and video so much

This video encouraged me to do a drawing that made my crush notice me ;-;

I had a friend in LA (I’m Australian) who I emailed back & forth with a couple of times a week. She was getting depressed but didn’t want to ask for help because of how her family would judge her (they didn’t believe it was a real problem for anyone)... I haven’t found anyone who’s heard from her in over 2 years

You are incredibly talented xx

i wish my parents felt like this

I don’t know if I’m going through post-natal depression, but I did get severely depressed/angsty during Christmas 2018 because my family were telling me negative things about my boyfriend and it hurt me real bad, I don’t think they realized that what they were saying wasn’t a joke to me and I cried the entire day/night by myself in my room in the dark while my boyfriend was working a Christmas shift. I don’t know if it is the pregnancy that effected me so much, but it really hurt me that time. They apologized after but it still hurts me to this day.

Since I can't make it through your most recent video, I'll try to make up for it with a comment on this one. ;) I only recently discovered your channel after one of your videos (You are not an artist) played in my Recommended and gave me the kick in the ass that I didn't know I needed. Then I watched your 7th grade sketchbook flip through and got the feeling that we are essentially two different eventualities of the same 12 year old person (I realize this is an exaggeration, but also if I could find my sketchbooks from 7th grade, there would be very little difference). We're even the same age, and if your birthday is in September, I will shit myself. Your art style now is very different from mine though, which I find pretty interesting. Anyway, I've sort of been pining through your videos, and I just want to let you know that your work is progressing beautifully! I think this might be my favorite piece I've seen from you. I know I don't know you, but I'm so happy for you and your growing family, and I'm so glad you aren't giving in to the naysayers. You're creating an entire person, and just because you may not be cranking out work like you used to right now doesn't mean you aren't learning and progressing and taking in inspiration every moment of every day during this powerful transition.

Just wait towards the end of your pregnancy xd anyway, you can do it! I am proud of all moms that do so much for their family. NOw I want to go hug my mom :3

Happy I watched this video definitely not going to get ever get pregnant now! I was already afraid of having really terrible migraines if I decided to get pregnant. I'm pretty sure that because my depression already likes to be affected by hormone fluctuations that pregnancy would probably make it worst too. I was not aware this was a thing, because female medicine is never talked about or given adequate funding.

You got this. Love this piece!

You are such a sweet gentle creative unique mom❤️☪️💟

I MISSED YOU

Beautiful ..and awesome 👍😃❤️❤️😃.....

I hope that you and your baby will be ok.

I think that it is possible that I am suffering from some form of depression. People make fun of me for the fact that my best friend is a girl and even my own siblings do this sometimes. I am called gay and people apparently see me as gay because of this. I am not gay btw. But I can't talk to anyone because no one listens. But thank you Emily for your advice.

Yay Im so happy for the upload!

Do you use acrylic paint?

K, sooo I havent told anyone this before but.. fuck it. When I was 7 I became so depressed as everyone around was telling me I wasnt worth it and couldnt do it ect, I will admit I never got diagnosed. (I never trusted adults.) Now this depression was reeeeeeaaaaaaalllllllllll long and carried on for 3 years because everyone I trusted, believed and held close was being shits. Art was in my ever since I was little everyone I know did art, during my depression I stopped art I found no point and my art suffered. (my old friends still harass my about, they literary have no lives.) When I was 10, 1 month after my birthday I decided to end it and that I had had enough. I grabbed a knife and got massive part of my neck out of my neck, I now have a scar I avoid the topic by going to the bathroom and wearing turtle necks. Additional Info: My Dad physically and mentally abused through my whole life. I have no idea how I survived the bleeding. sorry im not very good at grammar. the story is kinda unrelated but it came to mind. Btw I am aware that no-one will see this comment. (come on 2 years, im a bit late.)

I feel like people don't understand that a negative experience can be spoken about in a way that's not complaining about it. That's just talking about it and acknowledging something happening and it wasn't a good thing. I also do feel like when most people say "stop complaining" they are really saying these are complex different emotions about a hard topic that I would prefer not to think or acknowledge but I'm going to blame you for bringing them up.

I’m scared of getting pregnancy related depression due to my very turbulent history with severe depression.

I was writing a comment under a video and my autocorrect kept like trying to make me write suicidal lmao

I’m 13 and I have depression I just do stuff like draw and it makes me happy but I had depression for like maybe three years I know that’s not bad because people had it for their whole life sometimes but yeah it’s all got to say

“Russell’s someone’s jimmies” Where I’m from jimmies means sprinkles it took me a minute lol

One thing I cant do is express myself doing art, which is a shame but I I gusse I dont now who I am yet, I gusse in living in the shadow of who I'm supposed to be dose that make sense?

You need time to adapt to a new life, everybody can understand you situation! Come on! You can do it, and I know it and you know it an every fan of you know it. Take care!

Depression sucks. I get the weight in my chest thing. I hate it.

also can anyone (hopefully u emily) help me by telling me names of programs for editing speedpaints and stuff? i wanna try make videos too and hopefully get my channel somewhere

i know this video isnt suposed to be a joking thing but here we go / ONE WAY OR ANOTHER IM GONNA FIND YA IM GONNA GET YA GET YA GET YA / just tohught of this comment dont hate on me pls

The challenge thing annoys me because what's a challenge to someone, might not be to someone else. Haha.

Wanna know what's depression is ? It's a black hole that everyone can fall into...

My chair for my worktable - as opposed to my one at the computer - is a hand-me-down from my husband and the "leather" is cracking and peeling. If I were go sit on it in my, uh, thong under wear I get pieces of black flecks on my butt which if I am tired and don't brush off, will fleck off in the hall from my studio to the bedroom. Sometimes I find them in the bed - YUCK!!! I don't even know why I'm saying this. Just forget you even read this if you did.

I get upset when videos titled "challenge" don't end up coming out kinda stupid AF. Like I came for some Polish Mountain, "locked myself in my art room for 48 hours" stupid stuff. Because if you're calling something a challenge and taking yourself seriously. Do I even really want to interact with that? And if its a 30-day/month challenge give it a name like NaNoWriMo. Understand how absurd it all is.

I thought this was about depression. NOT PREGNANCY DEPRESSION.