Be kind to yourself. I find that often we are our own harshest critic. It’s ok to be not okay and struggle at times. When feeling distressed ask yourself what would I say if someone else was going through this? This can help take the self-criticism away.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Kirstie Wright.
Kirstie is a Mental Health Therapist in the United Kingdom who advocates for better mental health within the Creative Industries. Kirstie founded Creatives in Mind, which provides individual therapy, workshops and consultation to the creative disciplines, helping individuals and organizations build practices that will change culture and reduce mental health stigma. Kirstie became fixated with improving mental health within the creative field after seeing the unique stressors people within these industries face including freelance work, frequently working away from home, and inconsistent income.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
Ihave always been drawn to the arts, although I have found I am better at enjoying them instead of creating! Have you ever been deeply moved by a piece of music or art? I know I have. I think it’s astonishing how music or a piece of art can create emotions. Art can challenge how we see things. I was amazed when talking to people within the creative industries that although it’s a field known for challenging perceptions there are high levels of mental health difficulties, bullying and discrimination. This inspired me to use my 10 plus years’ experience in mental health to ensure people within the creative industries have access to qualified and experienced therapists who understand the common stressors within the industry. I also advocate for wider changes that support a positive culture within Film, TV, performing arts, fashion, arts, and other creative disciplines to improve the wellbeing of those who work in the creative field.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
I went to a networking event which as an introvert is completely outside my comfort zone! Imposter syndrome seemed to immediately come to the surface. I thought I would get ‘caught out’. I thought I would get asked something I didn’t know, and no one would use my company as a result. It took a lot of strength, but I spoke to lots of people that day. The more I spoke to people the more confident I grew. Other people were responsive to what I had to say, even if we didn’t go on to form a business relationship. I came away with some great connections which have allowed me to support more people in the creative industries. I learnt that having negative thoughts about the outcome of a new journey is normal. It’s important to still do what you want to do, which in this case was network instead of letting fear steer your actions. If your mind tries to trick you into thinking you know nothing, remember what experience you do have and why you can help others.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
A mistake I made was assuming that just creating a website would bring in enough customers. A website is a good front door, but you need to have ways to lead people towards that front door. In the beginning all I had was a website and no one was using it! Before I started, I didn’t know about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which involves optimizing your website so you will rank higher on search engines which leads more traffic to your website. I didn’t know much about marketing or networking. I learnt that starting a new business is a huge learning curve and, in the beginning, before you can outsource work to experts in that field you have to become knowledgeable in lots of areas to bring in customers. This is a good thing. It means when you can outsource work to others you will understand the work they are doing.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
I offer bespoke mental health services for people within creative industries. My aim is to improve mental health in creative fields through advocacy, one to one therapy, workshops, and consultation. I help people within creative disciplines to learn how to manage their wellbeing which allows them to thrive and feel confident in their work. Common stressors in the creatives industries include freelance work, not knowing where the next paycheck is coming from, long hours and changing deadlines. These stressors can increase the likelihood of mental health difficulties. Working with qualified, experienced therapists that understand the industry means that people don’t have to spend sessions explaining the industry and how it works. We can get straight to helping people improve their wellbeing.
I also work to advocate for better mental health within creative industries by educating people on how to promote positive cultures at work that creativity can thrive in.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
1 . Set an hour before bed to wind down. With our busy lives it can be easy to forget the benefits of a good bedtime routine. A good bedtime routine helps signal to our body that it is time to rest, which aids getting to sleep.
2 . Connect with others. I find that true connection is often lacking in our lives. The people I work with often think they are connecting with others because they speak to people most days. When we look at what these interactions involve, they are often focused on practicalities e.g., when are you going to drop the children off? When can I expect to be paid? Take time to ask how people are and really listen.
3 . If you are putting something off, pause and take a moment to think about why you are putting it off. Is it fear of failure? Is it that the task is overwhelming? Think about what is stopping you from doing that task. This will help you to see what’s blocking you from reaching your goal so you can work through that block.
4 . Take a moment to notice your mood. Often, we are so busy that we don’t notice small changes in mood or that we are slowly starting to avoid an activity. Take time every week to reflect on how you have been feeling and whether you have reached your goals. This can help you to notice signs that your mood is dropping and that you need to take steps to manage your wellbeing. This leads to early intervention which can prevent your mood from dropping further.
5 . Be kind to yourself. I find that often we are our own harshest critic. It’s ok to be not okay and struggle at times. When feeling distressed ask yourself what would I say if someone else was going through this? This can help take the self-criticism away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82Fcsnv-mc
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
For me a big movement would be around stopping bullying and discrimination. Unfortunately bullying and discrimination have been found to be high in the creative industries and are the cause of lots of suffering. I would like a movement that educates people on the different types of bullying as some are hard to spot e.g., spreading rumors about people. I would also like people to know the general cultures that decrease the chance of bullying so that there are less environments in which bullying can be left to thrive. The cultures that reduce bullying value teamwork and feedback.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
Just Start! I had this business idea for a few years before I started my business. I was full of fear of it going wrong, instead of focusing on my why and how much I could help improve people’s lives for the better. Now I have founded my business I am so glad I did. If you don’t start you will always be left wondering what would have happened if you had acted on that idea.
Don’t do it alone. Starting a business is exciting but can be lonely. It’s good to have a mentor or another business owner that you can talk to who understands what you are going through. If you aren’t lucky enough to have someone in a similar field who understands what you are going through, ensure the people you surround yourself with are encouraging and supportive to get you through when self-doubt shows up.
Hurdles are normal, don’t stop at them look for a way around them. The first hurdle I came to of having a website and no customers left me deflated. I looked for what would help my situation and that knowledge has helped grow my business. If I had stopped, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Set goals for the long and short term. This will help keep you focused when times are tough, or you get busy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with all the tasks you could be doing to grow your business. I know I have felt this. Having a focus of where you want to be can help you to prioritize tasks.
It’s ok to not know things. Building a business is a very steep learning curve. All the different skills that need learning can seem like a massive mountain to climb. Look at it as an opportunity to learn new skills. You will get there, and nobody knows everything!
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
As I am a mental health therapist, I think it would be wrong of me not to say mental health! When we have good mental health the challenges that life throws at us are easier to manage than when we don’t. Currently lots of people suffer with mental health difficulties. In the work I do I see how access to good evidence based mental health support can help reduce suffering, and help people reach their potential.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Visit my website https://www.creativesinmind.org/ . It contains a blog which has lots of hints and tips on how you can improve your mental health and how the creative industry can improve the mental health of those who work in it. Also check out our Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/creativesinmind/ which is frequently updated with wellbeing tips.
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
