3 Gen Z Creatives on How Their Mental Health Shapes Their Artistic Expression
Gen Z represents a growing class of creators who are actively driving the creator economy mainstream. This economy, which provides greater entrepreneurial flexibility and independence falls clearly in line with Gen Z characteristics and one of the main things they prioritise in a career or long term pursuit—freedom.
With video content being at the top of Gen Zs’ digital content consumption list, creators are utilising specific platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube that allow for easy video creation and sharing. Across these platforms, the content created and distributed flows from the distinct creative abilities honed and mastered by the creators behind it.
In May 2022, Inc. Africa wrote that, “While in previous generations, the common entrepreneurial opportunities for younger people were in manual labour…; Gen Z have found their own way of harnessing the internet to take control of their future.” Although income generation on the internet is a significant appeal for these creators, building and engaging with a tight knit community woven around special interests is also really important to them. Several creators have attested to the need of self-expression driving them into content creation as well as the ability being a creator affords them to pursue their personal passions and engage in meaningful work.
Gen Z creators are bringing mental health conversations to the fore through various creative mediums that support how they feel at a certain time. And because they are more conscious of their mental health and able to articulate it better than older generations, they are able to draw inspiration from it or take much needed breaks.
In honour of mental health awareness month, Kenga reached out to African Gen Z creators to share their own experiences with navigating their mental health. These creators opened up about their motivations, their mental health struggles, how it impacts their personal healing.
Nii Nai Ako-Nai 🏳️🌈, 20 – @itsniinai
Photo: Nii Nai
Nii Nai is the creative director at Koffi Maako. He is also a choreographer/dancer who occasionally does photography, fashion, modelling and graphic design. Nii Nai is from Ghana but currently lives in the UK.
I can do a lot of things but creating is the only thing that makes me happy. It is the only thing I can bring myself to do even when I do not feel like doing anything else. I started working in the creative industry two years ago when I joined the social media team for Amaarae as an intern. I worked on the TikTok marketing for Sad Girlz Luv Money Remix and it was a very enlightening experience. At the same time, I also interned at Glitz Africa which opened me up to a new world and right now, my focus is working with Koffi Maako as creative director.
Creating helps clear my mind because I don’t really have to think, but instead feel. I allow my feelings to take the lead and use my art as an outlet. During the pandemic, the only thing that kept me going was creating. I was very depressed and learned how to use art as therapy. Sometimes I may feel really sad but create something that comes out positive and I would interpret that as my soul expressing hope through dark times. Other times when I am feeling negative, whatever I produce would carry that energy and I perceive that as letting go.
Though I don’t like the notion, sometimes very powerful art does come from bad mental health. I don't think trauma is necessary to make art but it's like a ying and yang thing. To know pleasure you must know pain, to know good you must also be able to identify evil. So when you carry pain you can choose to use that towards something good. Otherwise the alternative is to just let it sit there and fester. Especially for people like me who do not have access to good quality, inclusive mental health care, using art to take care of and express mental health can be really important.
Nii Nai
In the past few years, I’ve faced several challenges related to my mental health from anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicide ideation and anger issues. And right now, I’m looking to get an eval for ADHD. Regardless, these challenges have in no way affected my work. I feel like my creativity is the one thing that is not negatively impacted by the state of my mental health. But areas of my personal life do get affected which can make it difficult to make the time and space to create as much as I would like. For example, I would never procrastinate on a creative project, but doing so with chores can get in the way of making time for my project.
However, regarding my creative pursuits, the onset of anxiety and specific ADHD traits can get me wrapped up in perfectionism, which can delay the delivery of my work. In those times, I reach out to creatives around me who are able to help me sort things out. This is why I’ve fallen so in love with the idea of collaborating with others on my creative projects. I’ve learnt over time that creating alone gets lonely and difficult logistically. It’s not common knowledge but conflict can birth innovation and compromise can enhance an idea rather than do the opposite – dilute the idea.
“…creating art that moves people, creates impact, and provokes change comes from personal engagement—it comes from feeling.”
Having a good support system and indulging in a lot of self-introspection with a dedication to actually get better has been my way of dealing with my mental health struggles. I’ve also learnt to give myself grace and credit whenever I’m going through it. Bad mental health has a way of reducing you to the most vulnerable state. So whenever I’m at a low point, I treat myself like I would a child – with care and consideration. When I have soothed my emotional wounds, then comes the logic and rationale to form healthier boundaries, coping mechanisms, etc.
As someone whose content is reliant on their real life personality and experiences, dealing with emotional exhaustion/whiplash and hate comments is a real thing. Constantly churning out emotions for content can get debilitating really fast. But I have a system in place that allows me to be authentic and still conserve my energy. Keeping my work in tune with how I’m feeling creates a sort of balance for me. Forcing myself to work when I’m exhausted or uninspired would only sink me farther into a burnout.
Safeguarding my mental health online comes from only choosing to share what I have clearly processed both mentally and emotionally. I don't think it is healthy to give the world access to something you have not coped with yet because oftentimes it can really mess with your healing process.
To my fellow creatives, I’m encouraging you to feel your feelings and express them. You don't always have to share but you should definitely express. Art is personal. You can create technically perfect art from skill alone, but creating art that moves people, creates impact, and provokes change comes from personal engagement—it comes from feeling.
Lucky Wena, 22 – @luckywena
Photo: Lucky Wena
Lucky is a music video director and filmmaker based in Lagos, Nigeria. He has created music videos for artists like Eeskay, Zilla Oaks, and Quiries.
I’ve always been a creator. My desire has always been to paint the world with colourful and beautiful art and to tell insightful and touching stories. My creative journey started in my late teens when I dabbled into fiction writing, graphic designing, before learning filmmaking in 2018. Then, I started shooting videos for music artists and creating event recap films for my colleagues at university. In total, I’ve been directing and editing music videos for half a decade now.
Filmmaking is an amazing medium for me to express ideas and tell stories, particularly through music videos which I’m passionate about and believe is an important form of expression for musicians.
In my work, there’s a natural drive in me to push as far as possible and to achieve a high level of success. The feeling I get when I see a great piece of cinema drives me the most. I just want to replicate that feeling for others and make them feel good, understood and educated on any topic.
The past few years have been tough for me mentally, and my work was affected. I started getting bad reviews from some clients and some would not post the videos I made for them because they were subpar. Some clients even refused to work with me anymore. I was in such a rut. I ignored everything that wasn’t work related and denied dealing with the deep seated issues I had that were ruining my mental health. Eventually, after months of introspection, talking to God and learning about myself and my emotions, I came out of it.
I embrace all the emotions I’m able to feel and constantly draw inspiration from all of them when writing for films. God created such beautiful beings when he made us, every emotion we feel, to me, is art that he created as well. I am currently writing a series of short films on my experiences as a human and if I didn't go through that dark period I would not have been inspired to write them. The love I have for my work helps me overcome the obstacles I face, even when the obstacle is me.
Photo: Lucky Wena
“Finding my unique voice where I only create based on my experiences and ideas and understanding as a person helped me get rid of the negative emotions that can arise from self comparison.”
Though I can create when my mental health is not in the right place, the outcome of the work would not be my best. I’m at a place where I do not settle for mediocrity, so whenever I’m about to brainstorm ideas, edit or go on set, I make sure I am in a positive mindset before I begin working. I ensure I have eaten well and properly hydrated. Sometimes, these regular check-ins may not work and on days when they don’t, I take the time off and let whatever feeling that doesn’t serve my purpose pass before getting into the work. I can't allow myself to create anything when I'm not in the proper state of mind. The films I make have to be exceptional and the production must be treated with care. If a deadline is coming up, old me would push on to finish the work. But now, I would just inform my client that their work isn’t ready and needs more time. I figured if I tell a client that their work isn't ready because it's not the best yet and they are unhappy with that then I'm working with the wrong client. I’m determined to only work with people that are dedicated to the quality of the art and not just the business.
All the learning we acquire and hard work we put in as creators can take a toll on us. This is why I’m a huge supporter of finding one's unique voice in this industry. Sometimes we tend to compare ourselves to others, which can be negative if we dwell on it too much. Finding my unique voice where I only create based on my experiences and ideas and understanding as a person helped me get rid of the negative emotions that can arise from self comparison. Also, knowing that the internet algorithm only gives us more of what we already consume, being very selective of what I consume online and intentional when using any platform protects my mental health.
Also, I’ve realised that thinking about what people would say when creating is the best way to ruin our work as creators. It’s rather profitable to focus on doing the best we possibly can and then let people decide for themselves thereafter. I know that as long as I continue to give my work and career my all, I can continue to bring joy to audiences and continue working with amazing musicians and creatives.
I believe in community. Sharing your struggles with your community as a creator, I think, is a great way to help yourself if you're in a bad place mentally. A lot of good can come from it and there are a lot of people out there that are willing to help you. But also, you have to be self aware and conscious of all your decisions and make sure you're doing it for a reason that benefits you. For me, it’s important to share and seek help in any way you can.
To my fellow creators, take care of your body and mind so you can enjoy life to the fullest. It’s not only about the work, it's also about you as a person and how you're living and whether it is in alignment with your goals in life.
Funke Olotu 🏳️🌈, 24 – @olotufunke
Photo: Funke Olotu
Funke is a life and style creator, amateur photographer and marketing baddie from Nigeria. She is currently studying for an MA in media and communications in the UK. In July of 2022, Funke was among the creatives that won the Pinterest UK Creator Fund for the LGBTQIA+ cohort.
I became a creator because I had this itch to create and share the world through my eyes and discuss topics that are rarely talked about, especially around women. I started creating content in 2016 and my work has evolved since then. Initially, I was blogging and posting on Instagram but now I’m doing more video content and less blogging.
I’m motivated by how much I have to give that’s valuable to people. For example, when I wrote about breast ironing in 2018, lots of people were not aware of that and sharing what I knew on the topic and others as such unburdens me and makes me feel good. In general, I’m inspired by mere living because I like to romanticise my life and I believe it makes me see a story in everything.
I’ve also found a rhythm for my work over time by paying attention to myself, knowing when I create best, planning ahead, prioritising and taking a break when I’m starting to feel drained.
Photo: Funke Olotu
The significance of mental health in my creative expression is very real because creativity comes from within and having a bad mental health period can be both an inspiration to create from based on how I’m feeling or it can completely lock me away. The state of my mental health can either be a motivator or a demotivator.
Moving from Nigeria to the UK was so overwhelming that I could not create and had to take a break. Noticing racism and colourism firsthand was mentally exhausting and having to adjust to the new environment was not easy but I’m in a much better place right now. Most times I feel overwhelmed stem from dealing with capitalism, lol and they could lead to periods where I have to uncover something within myself. So I take breaks which help me heal and feel refreshed to create again. These breaks can be short or other times indefinite.
As a content creator, I have an understanding of how social media is different from real life in terms of how people live. This understanding has enabled me to live life at my pace. I’ve also found a rhythm for my work over time by paying attention to myself, knowing when I create best, planning ahead, prioritising and taking a break when I’m starting to feel drained. Encouraging myself and focusing on my journey also goes a long way.
Photo: Funke Olotu
Personal struggles for me can be a driving force for creativity especially as I create content occasionally surrounding mental health. Usually after every mental health break, something about my content changes because I take a step back to pay attention to whatever I’m doing and to ensure it’s aligned with my values and goals.
Community is a blessing and when, as creatives, we share the challenges we face with our fellow creatives, it makes us feel seen, validated and encouraged. I believe people feel better when they know they are not alone when it comes to dealing with mental health struggles.
Safeguarding my mental health online is still a work in progress for me. But most importantly, I follow people I genuinely like. I also encourage myself to never compare my journey with anyone else's. My friends also provide an amazing support system for me.
To the creative reading this, I encourage you to remain true to who you are. It’s normal to want to jump on trends and experiment but always ask yourself, ‘why?’. Don’t feel you have to be like everyone else to be heard or seen. Be your biggest cheerleader, have an amazing support system and prioritise resting. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Things can change for the better in a minute. I’m rooting for you!🫶🏾
