Coping with Negative Feelings: A Survival Guide for the Creatively Unhinged

Negative feelings. We all have them. Some people meditate, some go for a jog, some write poetry about the void staring back at them. Me? I take a slightly different approach—one that involves comedy, sugar, sketching, and trying not to let the Caltowie flies colonise my face.

What strategies do you use to cope with negative feelings?

Step One: Laugh Until You Forget Why You Were Miserable

Comedy is my first line of defense. Specifically, the genius of Key & Peele—their absurdity rewires my brain just enough to trick me into thinking the world isn’t on fire. Then there’s Flight of the Conchords—a duo of musical comedians so painfully awkward and brilliant that they make my own social dysfunction seem almost charming. Any of their TV show’s music clips will do.

Step Two: Walk the Dog, Commune with Nature, and Contemplate the Absurdity of It All

There’s something about wandering through nature with dog that thinks you’re the best. Maybe it’s the fresh air, or maybe it’s the sheer joy my dog experiences when sniffing a rock for five straight minutes. Or maybe it’s the reality check of standing in the middle of nature, staring at a stunning sunset, while holding a steaming bag of dog poop. Nothing keeps you grounded like the stark contrast of beauty and biodegradable horror.

Speaking of horror, I highly recommend watching Shoebill videos. If you’ve never heard one before, imagine a prehistoric demon gargling a chainsaw while also somehow sounding like it’s laughing at you. It’s horrifying. It’s majestic. It’s exactly what I need when my brain is spiraling. I even immortalised one in a pencil sketch—a rare moment of pure artistic joy. It’s available as an NFT on Rodeo, or you can buy the original. Just DM me. You, too, can own a piece of existential terror wrapped in feathers.

Step Three: Sugar. Tomorrow’s happiness today.

Is it healthy? No. Does it help? Absolutely. If a ridiculously sweet drink like ‘Black Death’ you know the Father Christmas one that burrows straight into your teeth! or a snack, usually chocolate covered, keeps me from crying into my sink full of dirty dishes, then I consider it a win. Some people have yoga, I have glucose. We all cope in our own ways. But that reminds me I should get back into yoga before my spine naturally fuses together with sugar crystals.

Step Four: Create, Create, Create

There’s no better way to exorcise negative feelings than turning them into something tangible. Sketching, illustrating, designing new patterns, or even just talking with other artists on my podcast—it’s all part of keeping the darkness at bay. Art is the best revenge against whatever existential crisis is currently knocking at the door.

Step Five: Stare at the Horizon and Fight the Flies

Caltowie, my little slice of big sky country, is both peaceful and infested with tiny winged demons. Standing on my land, looking at the distant ranges, I feel both insignificant and powerful at the same time. It’s a great moment—until the flies attempt to invade every available facial orifice. Nothing snaps you out of a downward spiral faster than a fly trying to crawl up your nose.

So there you have it—my survival guide for battling negative emotions. It’s not pretty, but it works.