The hobby that helped me beat depression and anxiety.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- I talk about how Miniature Painting - and other, similar sorts of hobbies - can have a beneficial and therapeutic effect for people who struggle with mental health issues, anxiety, and depression. In a COVID 19 pandemic world, more and more people are dealing with these challenges. It has become much more acceptable to talk openly about it, and my hope here is to show just one thing that might help people to cope. This could be one of the most important videos I have ever - or will ever - posted, so please like and share if you found it helpful (so it can reach more people).
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Have you found this hobby - or one like it - has helped you with mental health, or even just the stresses of daily life? Share your story below! It's been amazing to hear from viewers and how much miniature painting has made things better for them in various ways.
If you don't feel motivated enough to pick up a hobby, just bake a loaf of bread from scratch.
Kneading is a very meditative process...
Thanks for sharing this. I started painting minis as a kid in the 80’s and was terrible. But it always helped me clear my head and made me feel better when life wasn’t great. I started again 3 years ago when I found painting tutorials like your’s on TH-cam. Intense focus clears away the frustrations of daily life. It’s better than escapism because I can sit back and be proud of what my time and effort produced. Thanks for putting into words something I’ve felt most of my life.
Mini painting and woodworking have been my outlet for a while. Am I good at it? No. But getting better. Advancing and seeing my improvement is what keeps me motivated to come back, and there’s a sense of pride with a finished product. Time at my desk painting or at my lathe let me clear my head.
This hobby has kept me alive at my lowest point. This hobby helps with focus, a sense of accomplishment, a nice meditative state whilst painting etc
Thank you for making this video. It is so difficult to express to people what it’s like to struggle through the fog caused by mental health struggles. It’s a huge relief to know that people like us are not alone in these struggles. It’s easy to feel isolated in these moments and videos like this helps bring perspective in dark moments. I hope people that need it are able to find your video. I truly appreciated it.
Great video, Jarrett! There's a lot of power in picking up a brush and in finding a community :-)
Thanks, Brent!
@@TheMiniJunkie
You’ve motivated me to start on a project I’ve been wanting to work on for years.
Thanks for sharing this, Goobs.
A community that's all up in arms with pitchforks and torches comparing GW to NAZIS because they are trying to protect their intellectual property.
That said, I love the hobby and all of the true fans. Everyone has to have an opinion about something.
And Warhammer + is awesome.
Fight me.
@@dallan7736 put up your dukes. 😀
I want Warhammer+ to be awesome but I have to admit that after being a subscriber since launch day I am disappointed in amount(?) of content they have. It is good content, but for the price it is not very much. My favourite has been Louise and her master class. She is an amazing painter and can’t get enough of her videos. I wish she put out more content.
Back in 2003, I was homeless and living in an old VW van. One of the major things that helped me from a looming downward spiral was this hobby. Now I look back at that time with positivity because I elevated myself from a bad place. I have fond memories of building and painting a large Vampire Counts army in my van while parked at the beach in San Francisco rather than feeling defeated by life’s trials. Good stuff, sir!
Thank you for sharing this, Chris!
Good for you! I hope life continues to improve
You painted an army in a van? What an incredible story. It must've been a real challenge.
@@Magicwillnz tbh not really, I lived in a bus during the pandemic here in Australia. I painted a whole space marine army and worked full time in that little space and it was the best time in my life. It’s amazing how much you can do when it’s always sitting there right beside you begging for paint 😀
I live in a van too in the UK & technically I’m homeless, but by choice as I sold up to travel the world. I have a huge pile of shame that is still boxed up like new in the trailer that I tow around 👀 I live alone with my dog & painting miniatures is my escape, even army list building is another outlet although I’ve never played a game. Times are very strange & having some kind of hobby helps me get through the day.
I'm right here with you on this subject :-) I'm a man in his mid-50's now, left isolated by age and the lock-downs here in Ireland, and painting my minis to fit into my self-created sci-fi/fantasy stories has saved me from self-harming and even worse the past couple of years. I use my hobby as a form of escape and meditation, as well as a creative outlet for the anger that is always simmering away inside me every day. I don't watch TV, have stopped listening to the news on the radio, and just play my favourite CD's while painting, and lose myself in the painting of my next mini. The positive feelings that come from finishing up to three minis a day now has left me on a "high" now, and I have a growing collection of figures and terrain that I never thought possible. The days fly by when I'm painting, and the benefits from my hobby have been uncountable as a result. I've stopped buying new minis, and now just paint my "pile of shame" that has haunted me for a long time. The only thing is now, my "pile of shame" has dwindled so much that I need to buy more figures, just to keep up with how much I'm painting every day :-D Hobbies help with mental health problems just as much as talking to someone who cares about you, or exercising (Going for a walk in the fresh air, etc, nothing majorly physical), or just being around pets. Knowing you're not alone is of a huge benefit, and this video has shown just how much the miniature painting hobby can make a HUGE difference in your mind-set and life. Thank you so much for your bravery in making it, and for sharing it with the community out there :-D Stay strong, my man, things will get better eventually :-D
Paul, thank you for sharing your story here! I really appreciate it.
Total respect to you too Paul for speaking out about your struggles. Being a man is such an obstacle to admitting they are struggling, due to the taboo of men showing any kind of emotional need.
I am just getting back into mini painting (and by extension wargaming) after 20+ years away from it, because I realised I need a creative outlet and it is the one that I always remember fondly. Like you say, a few hours working on a project with some good music playing is one of life's true joys.
I hope things get better for you, and if you ever need a complete stranger to talk to, feel free to reach out. I am sure you could give me a few tips on how to improve my figure painting. - 🤟
@@Paul-eb2cl Thanks so much for such a beautiful message Paul 73 (Someone else with the same name as me :-) How cool is that?!?! :-D I feel so much better for being able to get my feelings out in the open with the message I sent in reply to this video, as I'd been bottling up so much it was making me physically ill, so now I've "vented" all the toxicity, even my mini painting has improved as a result, and I look forward to painting more every day. I actually threw the contents of one of my bits boxes on the floor the other day, kicked the bits about, and found, to my utter joy, two 25th Anniversary Reaper Miniatures Wizards and a Wargames Atlantic Halfling Hot Pot & crew still in their protective blister packs staring up at me from the mess :-) I thought I'd lost them, to be honest, but now the Hotpot is primed and ready for painting, but the Wizards are still in their blister packs, as I'd just finished painting a whole hoard of magic users, so may leave them for another day. So good to hear you're back in the hobby again, and being creative once more. I normally work as a spiritual teacher, but the lock-down has put that career on hold for the past two years here in Ireland, so I talk to people through email, helping them with their problems, while mostly ignoring my own, I have to admit, so now I've done a 180 degree turnabout, and am focusing on myself for a while, and healing my own wounds. Just a few hours a day at my painting table, and my entire body is filled with the love and light that I lost after the lock-down here kept being extended, and people from the gaming/modelling club I attended began avoiding me (I'm an insulin dependent diabetic with a history of heart attacks, so was in the high risk category, and told by my now former club-mates that I could kill them all if I sneezed anywhere near them, so they kicked me out of the very club I founded and funded for years.). So I've formed my own club of one right now, which I have called "Special Farces" as I just go crazy, just painting minis that catch my eye, how I want to paint them, instead of just for the next club army project/codex based scheme, and my collection has grown and grown since. My hobby is fun therapy for me now :-) I'm also back making terrain for sci-fi purposes, and just laughing at myself every day thinking of how much I missed just being able to do what I like, instead of being stuck in a rigid rut, painting armies for other people and making terrain strictly to "WH30/40k" limits. I sincerely hope your own road to healing through this hobby continues apace, and wish you all the best for any and all future endeavours you indulge yourself in, as believe me, sometimes it's just so good to be "SELF-ish" and do your own thing. All the very best. Paul :-D :-D
@@MrCrystalwarrior1 All the best to you too Paul🙏
PS - I heard all the best miniature painters are called Paul 😂
Thank you for telling your story. It is stories like your that remind me I am not alone in my own struggles and that there is hope. Thank you.
I'm a stay at home mom with small children. During this pandemic it's been incredibly difficult to even tell what day of the week it is. Miniature painting has helped me keep track of time and not get lost in the fog of never leaving the house and life. Every miniature finished shows me the passage of time. Every terrain piece makes me look forward to my future in sharing with my kids. The hobby has significantly helped me in more ways than I can articulate but those above are only the tip of the iceberg.
Absolutely love this! Such an amazing hobby to do with your kids!
@@partyfoul07 it really is great for them. My oldest is almost 2 and loves to help us set up the battle boards for the games or play with the terrain I've made. It is an incredible feeling to see his creativity come alive even at a young age. It is also incredibly motivating for me and affirming that the hobby is a great mental health helper.
Absolutely- I suffered a life changing illness in 2003. A return to miniature painting a few years later was a huge help to me.
I've loved this hobby since I was a kid. It was a great help in dealing with PTSD after returning from Iraq 15 years ago. I'm 48 now and it is still the one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities I enjoy.
I have PTSD, depression and anxiety, the big 3. Two things have helped me combat them, the first was going back into education. I enrolled at university and achieved my degree in education and professional development. I currently working on my masters and hope to gain my PHD. However' the rewards, although great, are few and far between; this led me to painting miniatures. The TH-cam algorithm decided I wanted to watch someone painting Napoleonic miniatures and I was hooked. I can tame my black dog during a painting session; so much so I don't even hear it bark. For me miniature painting gives me the same joy I used to enjoy reading a book - I lack concentration to read now. It quite literally saved my life. (I am 56, married and went through life thinking nothing or no one could ever hurt me; I was wrong)
I've been suffering from bad depression most of my life and now crippling panic attacks and anxiety. I've been painting minis seriously since 2013. My first mini I tried to paint was one from the board game HeroQuest in 1991 when I was in middle school.
I'm about your age, 40s, and this video hit hard. It was like listening to myself.
You earned a big sub here, my friend!! Take care.
I have also struggled with severe depression at times in my life, and I visited a councillor after my last bad run with it. Let me first say, if you have issues with depression, anger, anxiety, or you just feel that something is wrong, seek help. There are many places to get help, most of them free. When all else fails, ask your doctor and they can often point you in the right direction.
Seeing a councillor for a period of time was amazingly helpful for me, and one of the things she suggested was that I take up a hobby, something that I could lose myself in. After thinking about it for a while I decided to get back into some hobbies from my teenage years, including RPGs, miniature painting, and now wargaming. While I don’t get to do as much as I’d like, it has given me a creative outlet that occupies my mind.
I can also say that even just engaging in creator content such as TH-cam channels has also been very positive. There is a real sense of community around the hobby that offers a sense of belonging and acceptance, which I think is something a lot of people crave.
Thank you for sharing, Don!
I was medically retired in 2013. I am diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, depression and a severe sleep disorder. After retirement, I needed something to occupy some of my time and give me focus. I got back in to wargaming after a long hiatus. After I got in to wargaming again, painting miniatures soon followed. Between gaming and painting of miniatures, I have found some very good people to associate with. The hobbies have given me focus that allows me to enjoy the time not spent on them to relax and enjoy life for what it is. As far as hiding my hobbies, my wife fully embraces me "painting my dolls" and wargaming. She sees it as something I enjoy and is fully supportive. So when people ask me if I have any hobbies, I tell them that I do historical wargaming and paint miniatures. When I share the progress on my Gettysburg project, folks are curious as to what all is going in to it.
This helped me today specifically. Fighting alot of demons for sure and right now can't really paint or do some of the stuff that quiets those demons like painting, reading, and gaming. So I hear you and I know what you mean. I've always used mini painting as a relief from the world and my mind. Zen is exactly what I've always said it was for me and I am glad to hear I am not the only one. Thank you for sharing and thanks for your bravery and the time you take to show us your cool toy soldiers!
I suffer from depression and anxiety, as well as other issues and I would tend to agree with this video. Last week I finished a model and it got 4000 upvotes on Reddit, the most I've ever gotten and it legit brightened up my day, it felt so good waking up to so many nice comments. Those people had no idea how much I'm struggling, but they were still so positive.
100% agree. Mini painting basically got me through lockdown - I don't know how I would have coped without a quiet hobby with tangible end results.
Thank you for this video! I am a retired veteran with PTSD and some other disabilities. When I returned from Iraq in 2004, I lost interest in a lot of things that made me happy including my hobby of building 15mm WW2 units, vehicles and terrain for Flames of War. In 2017, I found my big stash of miniatures while going through therapy and I rediscovered a really great outlet for dealing with the depression/PTSD symptoms. I agree with you that this hobby can be therapeutic.I believe it is the creative aspect of beginning and completing the project that helps. It is positive and harmless and people who see my work are complimentary which really helps. I encourage others to give it a try. I also encourage anyone who has PTSD or depression to seek help and stay strong.
This hobby has been the one evolving constant in my life for the last 37 years and will continue to be so.
I really like this video, and I think your point about all the small, easy to reach achievements is really good. I struggle a bit with ADHD, and as a result have a lot of almost completely finished stuff (making dinner, filling the dishwasher, but leaving the wood utensils unwashed and similar sorts of stuff). In miniature painting even if I just finished the small rat on the base, or the boots, I, as you said in the video, feel a sense of accomplishment. And pride, which I don't often feel.
On another note, I really like your videos in general. They feel, for a lack of a better word, approachable. I never leave one of your feeling like I 'should' do anything, like paint better, practice more, finish stuff. I more have a feeling of 'that's okay'. In a good way. Like.. whatever you do, it's okay, if you mess up and it turn up ugly, it's okay. If you want to save it, it's okay. If you just don't want to look at it ever again, it's okay. If you feel like 'that didn't turn out great, whatever I'll still use it', it's okay.
So thank you for making videos, I really appreciate them.
(I hope I made sense, English isn't my 1st language, and I find these types of things are hard enough to explain in my native language)
Thank you, this totally makes sense and frankly the fact you find my videos approachable means I'm doing it right - that's totally my goal!
as an ADHD sufferer that was diagnosed in middle age, I feel your comment. Be assured that you communicate better than many people that *only* understand English; the observation that you're unsure you do is less an artifact of any disorder than how the world around you has acted towards it, early on and along the way. it's something we all do a lot of work to keep on top of.
you are seen.
you're not alone
you're doing well
thank you for sharing
because then some of the people who see it
also know they are not alone
like me
Yes. These are exact reasons why it helps. I've been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for the past few years. Miniature painting combined with exercising was what got me off the pills.
Bonus tip for fellow nerds out there that could never get into any kinds of sports: try rock climbing. It's super chill, positive community, you do everything at your own pace and your progress is measured in levels. And we love levels, it always feels so good to level up.
Loved this video. When I was a child I was physically and mentally abused for a very long time. To the point I was alone, isolated and unable to even look people in the eyes. Somehow I made a few friends in highschool and one of them showed me 40k. I became obsessed with this grim dark universe and especially so with the Orks. These creatures that found happiness in a world so cruel as the one they were in. In a strange way it inspired me. I started going to a local store, buying models and paints, people started to reach out. I started learning to talk to people and even play 40k with them. Now I still have a long way to go, but till the Waaagh is finished I will keep going and life seems to keep getting brighter each day. I really really love this hobby and the good that it can bring.
I needed this video. It was honest and a covered a lot of ground. Thank you!
Hey man there is no shame in mental illness! It breaks my heart that you were even a tiny bit nervous for people to see this video, this shows that the stigma around mental illness is still all too real. You are very brave for posting this, and as a mini painter with some psychological troubles myself a greatly, greatly appreciate it. Much love!
I’ve been painting miniatures since 2011 the year I first came into recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The amount of patience and mind stillness from this hobby is priceless
Seeing this video and reading these comments and you think "so I'm not alone?"
I've suffered on and off for years and have chronic arthritis too. Escape from day to day pointlessness, and the constant pain is the best thing the hobby does for me. When in "the zone" everything is peaceful and relaxed.
Having recently turned the wrong side of 50 I was starting to consider myself too old for this hobby, but reading others stories has help convince me otherwise.
So having today finished Blade from MCP, I can go to bed tonight and look forward to starting the challenge that is Dormamu tomorrow. So nice to have something to look forward too.
Thanks for your video and thanks to all the others who have shared here.
Man, you cut right to the heart of it. This is a great video and a subject that needs to be discussed. I've always loved to paint (since 1987) because It makes me feel like I am "finishing" something. I can look down, and say "There! I have done something, and I can go on to the next something." I don't get that in my life, my job, or anywhere else. As an educator in special ed, I often feel as if I am never done. I just go day to day making little changes, there is rarely a finished product to behold, and you fail many more times than you succeed. It wears on your brain. So, painting gives me that sense of "doneness" that I need. Painting also gives me something to think about instead of whatever is stressing me out. Instead of worrying about life, job, wife, or kid, I can sidetrack my brain by thinking about what I'm going to paint instead, and it helps me to be less stressed. Thanks for the great video!
I started painting miniatures because I have MS, I was hoping to retain my fine motor skills. I have noticed the zen relaxation from painting, it’s a wonderful hobby.
I totally agree that miniature painting has a positive effect on mental health. It helped me a lot during the covid isolation. I struggled a lot with depression and social anxiety during that time. Painting, and listening to audiobooks just gave me some time away. As a bonus, seeing the pile of painted models grow steadily is just so satisfying.
On the other hand there was a time when I had not had the energy to paint due to a particularly bad year resulting in a burnout. In that time the outlook of painting minis was just to daunting. It felt like something I could never achieve and just the next big to do list. My solution was to just keep away from the hobby desk for some months and use PC games for this zen moments. Honesty, playing poker in red dead redemption 5 hours straight when being called in sick for burnout, may not be the most creative thing to do but with that low amount of energy, it was just the right thing to do.
I guess my point is: miniature painting is a great way to keep up your mental health but as always, don't put too much importance on it. Just paint for the love of ot, and if it is just one colour on one model, that is okay, as long as it benefits you.
The mini painting community on TH-cam has been a godsend the last couple of years. By and large the content creators are full of positivity and leave all politics off of their videos. I can honestly say these people have saved me from really deep dark black depression. My own painting sucks and I do spend too much money buying minis I might never get to, but it’s a small price to pay for a couple hours of complete peace every day.
I've had anxiety disorder for most of my life. Writing stories, poems, drawing and painting miniatures have always been calming. As a working adult, painting miniatures is my go to hobby. I've learned to enjoy my level of painting. Also, I picked up Frostgrave and Stargrave to help focus my miniature purchases.
Building and painting have kept those "Black dogs" at bay for over 2 decades. It's nice to hear that im not alone with the feeling that minis help
I personally agree 100% that painting miniatures has been a huge source of relief from anxiety and depression, the hobby was an immense help in getting me through this pandemic and the hardships of university and life in general. It is easy to lose one's self completely in the task and have the troubles of the world fade away.
this hobby it's literally my life, getting creative with stories that I can write on a paper, choose the right colors, getting better and better with the feel of satisfaction but at the same time, paint more, continue to do more.
it's a hobby that saved my life, sometimes put yourself on a chair and spent one hour or six hours, licking brushes and put some colors on a model can really be the world for you... sometimes it's hard to watch outside of the window and really think about what is outside but it's little things like this that keep us going and smiling not thinking about what the future will be.
I am 60 and returned to the hobby 15 years ago. My 4 children had all grown up and left home having families of their own, my wife is partially disabled and I was working full time looking after my wife and the home. I needed an outlet and miniature painting and terrain building helped me enormously. I refer to my time in the hobby room (man cave) as entering the time machine as time literally disappears. 2 hours feels like 10 minutes and during that time all other issues dissappear, without this hobby I would most likely be lost in the fog of everyday life.
Any hobby can clear this fog but for me it's miniatures and the world's we create with them. I have a pile of shame and flit from project to project but I wouldn't change that for anything. Great video and nice to hear others who have benefited from the hobby.
I have been off work for about 17 years with PTSD. Two years ago I decided that instead of sitting all day on the couch in “silent scream mode” I would look back in time and make note of things that used to make me happy. I remembered playing D&D and painting the lead figurines. That was one of the happiest times of my life as a teen. After ample research I stumbled onto Warhammer 40k and resolved to purchase some models and start painting again. My local friendly gaming store hosted a beginners league and I took the plunge to join in. This marks the first time that I have socialized outside of my comfort zone in more than 14 years! Thanks for your video on this topic, we are not alone!
A few years back I lost my leg, my job, much of my identity. I started on car models, which started their own collection of dust bunnies. Then I stumbled across miniatures, to me it seemed like heaven. 3d coloring. When I lost my other leg and my 19 year marriage. I fought to get into them, then gave up, sold everything. Now 2 years later I've found that again 3D coloring is still fun. Stills your mind. Yes, pricey but yet priceless in the calm it gives me. Thank you for your honesty, and kudos for bravery as well. Peace!
I went through a period of fairly bad depression during graduate school where I more or less crawled into the Games Workshop box and collected and painted my way through it. The depression was primarily situational, and I stopped once I’d graduated.
Over the past five years, I have had serious anxiety issues, to the point where I began medication and got rid of long term friends who didn’t understand the problem. The two things that have gotten me through what I see as the end of human advanced civilization is taking up the drum set (I’m already an accomplished musician in keyboard, voice, and chiral directing, so this wasn’t as difficult as it might be for others) and miniature painting, the latter in the last four months. I cannot believe how helpful the painting has been, and with You Tube I have so much more information to improve with than I did in 1993.
And I definitely am taking pride in my work. Being an engineer, I like hobbies that have a deep informational aspect, like learning about the history of drumming, or the different way to approach painting. The other thing about this bout of anxiety is that I have zero shame about it. or anything, really. So happy to hear you found it to be helpful to you as well.
Hey man I've suffered with mental health since my early teens, I can definitely say that the miniature hobby has helped me loads, this video is amazing we should all talk more about our struggles
Fantastic video.
As a long term sufferer of depression, I came into mini painting by accident and soon realised how much it lifted my mood. And it's also one of the most inclusive communities I've been exposed to. We'll done for making this and I urge anyone to talk about their mental health issues 👍
I've become concerned of late about the interplay between my depression and anxiety and miniature painting. Before the proliferation of internet content, I found it easy to be happy with my work. Now I struggle a bit with negative comparisons and something I refer to as miniature dysmorphia - when you think your painting sucks even when it's obvious it doesn't. This is not to say I think painting is bad for mental health - I arrived at many similar conclusion to yourself - but there are some things I think people need to be careful of. I recently gave myself permission to paint unambitiously - to be less focused on painting with some new technique and just to focus on techniques I was comfortable with. It increased my enjoyment and the mental health benefits I get from the hobby. Not that I'll quit trying to improve - but to dial back the constant comparison I do. Good video, always great to see people open up about mental health.
I am a husband, father of an of a child with special needs and a healthcare provider and at the end of the day I have given a lot of emotional energy and physical energy to others. I also have suffered from clinical depression since the birth of my daughter. I find the 30 minutes to 90 minutes 4 to 5 evenings a weekPainting miniatures to be extremely important to maintaining my mental health. Especially as other commentaries have noted that I don’t get out of the House much except for work. My wife often comments about my miniature painting “this seems so stressful“. I have come to realize, as your video has so well demonstrated, that I need this outlet to maintain my mental health and continue to function As a husband, father, and professional.
Playing Dungeons and Dragons literally helped me overcome depression. I would hide from my friends and not picking the phone. Until one day this friend convinced me that It would be a calm living room, pizza some other friends.. and then I almost didn't realized that started thinking about D&D and thinking about how the next session would be, reaching my DM asking if he need it me to create some terrain, I bought my first set of dice and my dark thoughts started fading away. I did had therapy and meds but D&D just made everything a lot easier.
First of all, thank you for sharing and I fully agree. TTRPGs have been a saving grace for me for a long time. Given the ability to play via roll20 even helped during the pandemic. There is somethingt about the act of "storytelling" and forcing your mind to think about it that just feels good and is good for you. I very much recognise the part about dodging friends and even family at times, but with RPGs and painting for them and games like 40k and others have helped me reconnect even outside of the hobby.
I have been diagnosed bi-polar years ago. I have gotten back into mini painting after 40 years of absence and have found the support from friends very comforting in my times of stress. I also got back into fishing, which I do mostly alone and seek out remote quiet places to go. Both hobbies are Zen like in helping me to forget daily stresses,focus, relax, and enjoy life in general. We all need an escape, old and young.
Beautiful. At 36 years old, I can say that you nailed this video. I started in this hobby over 20 years ago. As you know it was different back then there was not a community of support like now. In high school, I took a lot of heat about painting little toys. I still to this day get little jokes thrown my way from adults who know I am into this. However, i was always the sort of guy who didn't really care what others think I am who I am, and proud of it. However, there is an element of getting "made fun of" that this hobby brings that can discourage a lot of people, but the relaxation it brings and how it can just push everything out of your mind that might be troubling you is zen-like.
In a world where nothing is in your control you can find some in your hobby. Build, paint, create and play.
If you’re struggling then there’s no shame in being a table top hobbyist
It’s an act of mindfulness
This was great. I’ve been a painter/wargamer for 30years. I’ve had PTSD for about 17 years. Painting minis daily, (or almost daily) is part of my mental health plan I worked out with my wife. It’s incredibly important to me and also scratches that creative itch.
True. I second that. I've been painting them minis like there's no tomorrow recently. I could play video games, watch movies or paint minis. Only one of these give me a sense of accomplishment.The others make me feel like I just wasted my time.
getting back into the hobby a couple years ago was 100% a massive stepping stone to what i believe is me having a much better control of my mental health.
Can I just say how important this video is. I too, went through a similar process in my life, and now, at the age of 55, I finally feel a bit better about myself.
About 5 years ago I went through a difficult period at work. I had extreme difficulty concentrating and my boss was getting on my case on a near daily basis. I ended up on anti-depressants, which initially seemed to perk me up. However, I eventually lost my job due to the company going bust (which was a relief), and then went into covid lockdown in 2020. In that time, I built a model workstation in my garage and this became my sanctuary. I could get away from things that were bothering me and allow my brain to decompress. I have now changed career and moved into horticulture, which is another creative medium. I keep up the model making and miniature painting and am constantly learning, thanks to people like yourself. I am also anti-depressant free.
Keep up the great work Sir and thanks again.
45 years old father in the process of divorcing, here, and yeah… yeah.
I started the hobby when I was a kid, a normal kid I guess, but then came back to it a few times over 30 years or so, interstingly enough in times where I might have felt alone, or maybe useless… or both, like when I started my PhD in history, you know.
What got me back, this time? The pandemic, I guess. And it stuck, and I do feel lucky I got that!
So yeah… Even though I have not been diagnose with depression, nor anxiety, I can relate.
Although I now have fun telling EVERYONE I paint toys, and enjoy their reaction!
Thanks for the video!!!
Thank you for sharing your experience!
You are spot on when you say painting minis is yen like. There are days when we all need to clear our mind from the noise, and miniature painting does that for me.
In 2000(aged 15), I was kicked out of my home, for protecting my mum from an abusive step dad. Found drugs and alcohol, and was in a bad place for a long time. Found this hobby from a good friend, after I hit bottom. This helped me stay clean and sober (17years now). I believe having a healthy outlet is key. Anytime I'm depressed and anxious, this is my poison of choice now.
I've been in this hobby for almost five years, and I love it. I've told several folks in the past I believe it has certainly helped me with depression. I've sought professional help for it recently, but I honestly think it has held it at bay for a long time, and really helped keep me from spiraling out of control.
Thank you for taking the time to share and express your experience in a vulnerable and open way. You mentioned shame and embarrassment. I’ve found that embarrassment is “I’ve made a mistake” where shame is “ I am the mistake. “ As long as we grow from our mistakes and learn, shame can be left behind.
I have worked in mental health for awhile now, and always encourage growth of a creative and focused hobby. Being present, mindful, and aware of your art in the moment helps keep us anchored. Mini painting, for me, has prevented me from being lost adrift amongst the sea of anxiety and depths of depression.
Heartfelt thanks for creating this space to discuss such an important topic .
I'm having one of the darkest periods in my life right now. Nothing seems to be able to lighten up this darkness. Except for mini painting. When I sit at my table with a brush in my hand, time seems to slow down or even to cease existing at all. My lambs stop screaming, so to say.
Thank you for this video. It means a lot to me.
I wouldn't call it depression but at times, I just need to make the world go away. Sitting in a quiet room, painting minis is relaxing and seems to reset my well being. I watch a lot of TH-cam channels dedicated to mini painting. The times I get a chance to paint are far and few between but man do I look forward to those times. Also found that even watching others painting is therepudic too.
Now I'm starting to try my hand at crafting buildings and such out of foam. Enjoy this stuff immensely and never touched a brush or knife until I was in my fifties.
Thank you very much for doing this video. I firmly believed that getting back into mini painting saved my life. Human beings are happiest when they are productive. A creative hobby fits that perfectly.
I love the zen of painting. I can focus in, calm my mind, listen to a good book, and let hours drift by. I feel accomplished and educated when I’m done and get to really enjoy it.
My hobbies have been so instrumental in helping me deal with my depression before and after a major surgery. Thank you for putting it into much better words for me.
Man, this hit the nail on the head for me. I've had basically these exact experiences, and in my reflections came to just the same conclusions you do here since I picked up this hobby nearly two years ago now and noticed the effect it has had on my well-being. Thanks for this.
My already high appreciation of your channel just took an epic leap higher with this video. Honest, insightful, helpful and timely, for me and, I’m sure, many others in this day and age. Thank you.
Ah, thank you so much for that!
I think this is a very common theme for a lot of us in the painting and gaming community. Plenty of creators have been bringing this up lately, even more so during the pandemic. I have found tons of motivation from painting and playing with what I make. I am enjoying all aspects of the hobby when at times few things had my attention or interest. It's introspective when we paint, we can think and figure out what bothers us, or we can put it all aside and just focus on what we are trying to accomplish. It's incredibly therapeutic and you did hit the nail in the head with the dopamine hit from accomplishing what we set out to do. I do commissions now, mostly for fun, and it's a rush to make something for someone else and have their minds blown when they finally get something you made in their hands. It's probably one of the most rewarding experiences, at least for myself. And I don't hide it from friends or family, they are plastic toys until you show them a finished piece. Then it becomes art because it definitely elicits a reaction, usually one of wonder and puzzled as to how you achieved certain things.
Thank you for open honesty. I came to this hobby about two years ago. Over the past six years there have been a lot more downs than ups. I found painting to be a great way to relax. Funny thing is I watch all these great painters for tips and they often say to show your work. That ramps up my anxiety. I should be proud of what "I" can do and not compare it to others. I don't run a TH-cam channel, paint for commission or have a branded line of stuff. I have to remind myself that I paint to deal with my own black dogs and demons. Saying it out loud to others helps. It is the first step. Thanks again for this video.
Painting and even assembling minis is a big part of how I manage anxiety and depression. It's so concentrated. I throw on some youtube or a podcast or some music and I focus on what I'm doing. I'm sure this video speaks to a lot of us.
Totally agree on the first point you made - painting for me is a 'flow' activity where I can turn my mind off (or at least down a bit) and focus on the miniature instead of having lots of thoughts pulling me in different directions and distracting me from achieving anything. I've suffered from anxiety and depression since I was a teenager and mini painting really helps to settle me, as well as my other hobby of social dance, but since COVID happened the dancing hasn't been an option, so painting has been my go-to activity for some headspace.
So much yes! Thank you. I’ve dealt with mental health issues the majority of my life. Im about to be 40 soon, and never really had hobbies. My sons started watching Mid Winter Minis, from there we found other great content on 40K and AOS. Then we started building / painting / playing. Not only has painting helped my own mental health, it has helped create a better relationships with my sons. It’s been such a great thing and I’m grateful for it and all the wonderful people I have met, at our local shop and online.
i sustained more than physical pain 4 yrs back after an accident; it was a huge downward spiral of feeling inept and sadness. then i built my necron warriors and gradually progressed to make something i was proud of. seeing something positive after being in a negative state was definitely uplifting.
Never built models as a kid and finally got into monster, plane, and car models in my late 30s looking for some relief from a high stress job. Just started adding minis to the mix, it's intimidating but exciting. The literature shows that meaningful pursuit of a hobby is key to well being. Great video, I salute your courage putting it out there.
Great video and 100% agree. My main interest is spaceships and sci-fi but started fantasy mini painting recently as a palate cleanser, a break from all the grey and a chance to improve my brush skills. As primary carer for a very demanding disabled wife my life is very stressful and so I take every opportunity to get away from it all in my "hobby shed". While someone else is caring for my wife I can lose myself in the hobbies for a few hours and de-stress.
I played back in the 90's as a teenager and had no patience for painting. I would just spray paint models and add a color or two on shoulders and guns to say it was done. Now, 3 months ago, I came back to the hobby because I needed a creative outlet. I think the past year took it's toll on all of us but I was feeling the full weight of it. I've always struggled with mental health issues and have coped in various ways, both healthy and unhealthy. The past few months of painting, watching my progress from never properly painting a figure to being proud of some has been cathartic. On top of all that the support of the community and positive reinforcement has actually steadily helped. I just hit 1000 followers and my girlfriend said that I was as giddy as a child when I told her. She's noticed the steady improvement in my mental well-being and actively encourages me to do more. I'm not saying this hobby has been a life saver, but it's definitely improved the quality of my life and as such,the lives of those I care about.
Thank you for this video! I hope that everyone who watches this can feel that they’re not alone and opening up about this sort of thing can bring a sense of relief and even feeling empowered. I’ve had my own struggles and been to those very dark places over the last 18 years that sadly most of us know, seen psychologists and mental health specialists, taken tablets etc. Going through that sort of thing doesn’t make you weak, I’d say it makes you one of the strongest people you know! I recently got back into this hobby and the community has been amazing, probably one of the best communities out there. I’ve found over the years that being open about mental health and your hobbies can help relieve any stigma that we might assume to be there when the majority of the time there is none. Aside from painting minis I collect Pokémon cards, pop vinyl figures, steel books, graphic novels, coins, I enjoy baking and buying house plants. I think when we embrace who we are and what we enjoy it can really help our state of mind ❤️
Thanks so much for this comment!
I've been collecting miniatures since I was a kid. I'm now into 3D printing and have many shelves of shame. But it's the act of printing, assembling and kit bashing that soothes my beast. I get a sense of accomplishment when each piece is finally assembled.
Role playing has always done this for me. In addition to which there's the therapeutic value of playing out what's going on in your head. I do a lot of solo role-playing these days and acting out analogues for problems in the real world often brings analogs to solutions to those problems. Fights depression and anxiety wonderfully!
I stumbled upon this video by chance tonight, and it is fitting in that I just finished my first painted mini. It was the skeleton from the Reaper beginners set and I exceeded my expectations. The main reason I've gravitated towards mini painting is because my depression has muted my other creative outlets. Especially as we've dredged deeper into this pandemic. I have a wonderful family. I've have a great job that is in a field I enjoy, yet I do not ever feel creatively satisfied. I've been a professional musician for most my life and have reaped the joys of music and creativity. But over the last couple years I've lost the desire to create. Depression has muted a lot of emotions and I've struggled to find an outlet that inpires me to be creative again. I want to thank you for this video because this is exactly what I've needed to hear. I was really hesistant to try mini painting because I have serious color blindness and have zero ability to draw and paint. Thanks to some TH-camrs, I've taught myself the basics and have gained so much satistfacton from finally taking the plunge and painting my first mini. I am hoping the minis inspire me to start writing again. I've played D&D forever and even that has not inspired me much lately. I think each mini I paint will help spark me to write a story and start enjoying things that I've always loved.
I started miniature painting because of the Warhammer 40k books. But at that time I was struggling from anxiety. So all this happened somehow by itself... I mean, I didn't read books because of mental issues or bought the first mini because of it. It just draws my attention, i tried and loved it. A few months later, when I was finishing my Indomitus box, my therapist pointed that out. She said that our bring always looks for the way out of mental issues, and some hobby is an answer in most cases. She believes that it's all connected.
Anyway, I got through my mental issues, and still pain some minis time to time.
Thank you for that video!
Totally agree. All those things I tell myself on repeat about my failures or not meeting expectations sort of quiet down or go away at the hobby table. It doesn’t mean it’s always easy to break through the depression and get started but of late I’ve managed 30 minutes minimum of hobby time for the last 200+ days thanks to a buddy who is also doing the same. We even made a bet whoever breaks the hobby streak first owes the other some models.
I'm 55 (so you are not too old) and I feel like we are brothers, because you said everything I was thinking. I struggle with mostly anxiety, and agree with everything you said. I have a father that could never seem to say he was proud of anything I did, yet every conversation was a lecture on how I could do better. It was unrelenting and when he left the picture, I idiotically took over his narrative. Hence the constant anxiety. Painting miniatures is an escape from everything and everyone. The one thing I would add, from my perspective, is learn not to be a harsh critic of your skills. It does seem to improve quickly, and I have yet to have anyone say a bad thing about my minis, when I allow a glimpse. I still tend not to believe their praise, but I'm hoping that will pass in time.
I build and paint gun-pla kits for this exact same reason. I was raised by a parent with a serious mental health problem; and despite the fact that I eventually learned how to better cope with all kinds of mental health issues I had to fight against growing up, the whole experience left me a permanent scar that I'd have to live with. I am so glad I discovered and decided to pick up this hobby in the same context, and I am trying my best to spread the positive.
I have struggled with mental health issues for years. The last year have gone through a year of hell. Miniature painting and the community have been fantastic. This video is awesome.
Thank you!
It seems that plenty of people are finding relief in hobbies. Few years ago my main hobby was playing guitar and listening to music a lot, but when my depression wen't worse I became 'bored' with it. Now I find some relief in retrogaming. It's good that people are trying to help themselves and they get good at something. It gives some hope.
I for one commend you for your openess on a difficult subject that should not be treated as a taboo.
I've noticed that the hobby helps me, and that's good enough for me.
I find it strange that if you broke your arm, people would willingly sign your cast and give you words of encouragement, yet when the break is not as visible, the support wanes quickly.
Whoever needs to hear this: You're an amazing human being. Hang in there, it will get better eventually.
And don't ever think asking for help is a sign of weekness. It's not, it's fine and a sign of inner strength.
Don't give up and if you find it helps, hobby on.
All the best to y'all ;
Got to say you have a beautiful garden 😁
Ive been in this hobby for 35 years . I know 100% without it i wouldn't still be here .
One of the few activities that helps my anxiety is miniature painting. I’m not currently suffering from debilitating anxiety but it does help my be in the moment and enjoy life. It can be hard to pickup a paint brush when I am feeling depressed but I’m working through it! Good luck everyone and keep going!
Whole heartedly agree Jarrett. I suffer from a number if mental health issues. GAD, BPD, PTSD and a few others besides. I use the hobby as away to escape from the real world and as you say, silence the bark dogs of depression. Its not always easy no, but I find painting relaxing even when my anxiety is through the roof with everything else.
Thanks for this. I’ve been off work for over 3 years because of severe anxiety and depression. Last year I also lost my mom to cancer. This hobby has been the life raft I cling to in the storm and I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through the last couple of years without it. This video really hit home. ❤️
Mini painting saved my sanity during covid. To the people who have a "pile of shame" don't let it eat at you. You like your minis you will get around to them and if you don't there are many who will buy them from you. Don't let the hobby consume you or make you feel guilty from painting/not painting people in this community are super encouraging. To touch on the last point I find when I show people my age (mid 30s) that I paint they are like dude that's kinda cool or wow I wish I could paint like that. There is no shame in playing with miniatures at this age sure it isn't sports ball talk worthy, but anyone with an IQ over the level of potato should be supportive.
I started out painting miniatures a year ago and was largely inspired by your channel. I didn't want to be that guy with the unpainted mini on D&D night! While I am not great, I have received a certain zen from it that has also helped me through tough times. Thanks for sharing!
I'm newly back to this hobby. I hadn't touched a miniature from my late teens through until 4 months ago just after my 44th birthday. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for more than a decade at this point and I've found the hobby soothing to a point, although I'll admit to wrestling the envy that I'm not immediately as good as people who have been doing it for decades at this point.
Thank you for this video! Unbeknownst to me I was battling a form of depression over several years and my solution was always to just put my nose down and work harder. I found that I was in a dead end job where no amount of effort was going to better the situation so last April I decided to pick up a paint brush and learn a new skill and focus on something else. I was terrible, and it was awesome! The online community really pulled me out of my funk with the great encouragement and guidance. Once I was in a better head space I was able to leave the work situation I was in for a better opportunity and have been really working to create a better work-life balance. This hobby helped me find my center and the community helped my faith in the creativity and kindness of people. I am just recently getting comfortable enough to share what I paint with family and friends. Everyday I try to go online and give 20 different compliments to hobbyists online in gratitude for how it helped me.
Great story, Jason, thank you for sharing!
Thank you for making this video. From my experience, every time someone talks about their own mental health struggles (injuries really) 5 more speak up. I also battle depression, chronic insomnia, and… alcoholism. I’m 5 months sober today. Mini painting was where I escaped to… to fall down into my black hole. But over the last 5 months mini painting has helped me climb out of that black hole and keep me from turning to the bottle. It has kept me from killing myself and has been helping get better. I am so encouraged ever time I see another mini painting TH-camr I follow speak of there battles with mental health and how they have succeeded. It gives me hope and let’s me know and feel that I am not alone. Thank you.
I have adhd anxiety and panic attacks and my wife has even commented on how building models and painting miniatures seems to make me zen. Idk why but I have noticed that sometimes it’s the only thing I can focus on and zone out of everything else for a few hours so when I saw the thumbnail for this video I thought “I’m not alone.” That’s always a good thought to think when you’re depressed or deeling with other mental health issues.
Thank you for commenting, Dustin!
I suffer from depression since 2021 begins, miniatures painting helps me to disconnect my brain, as an infj personality type I need some time alone to recharge and this activity is the way I found to do this… As you said, the whole community seems to be positive, helpful and respectful, it helps a lot too
Thank you for this. After just being diagnosed with Bi polar after battling with my anxiety and depression for many years, I decided to get back into the hobby from my childhood. I find even 30 mins a night helps me find my "Zen"
This hobby has helped me a lot throughout the years of 12 to to present day. I'm now 30 and working as a clinical social worker in mental health. I still love building, sculpting, and painting miniatures and its still something that helps me to this day. Thank you for this video :).
After some 25 years, I've picked up the paint brush again in recent months because in my mind, I gave myself permission to accept my own work as acceptable.
I have always (ALWAYS) compared myself to others, no matter what the venture or attitude and have stopped building and painting because I was too critical of my own work.
Now I just do it for the joy of it. Thanks for sharing this personal insight, and I hope you are able to share further your mental health burdens openly, even with your family. A burden shared is a burden lifted.
Thank you Marc!
One of the best parts about the hobby, albeit a bit hard sometimes (as mentioned the comparison to other peoples work), is the personal style of each artist and how it shows itself in their work. Some people go very simple, some go extremely complex. Some people like bright colors, some like grim dark. Even the way the same technique is applied can vary and it's always interesting to look at what people come up with. It's a very different hobby than it was 20 years ago and it's exciting to see where it goes in another 20.
It's amazing how many miniature painters release videos similar to yours. I definitely find peace when I'm painting minis. So thank you for sharing. I've been through some terrible stuff in the past three years and this hobby helps me reach a peaceful place. It's not automatic, however, for me. I begin to reach that peaceful place when I lower the magnifier and accept the challenge.
Based on my personal experience, my advice to all is : see your doctor. I basically dropped my paintbrush and sold off a bunch of minis because my brain fog just made it all too much effort. I thought it was depression and without doubt that is a part of it, but when I got checked out I was diagnosed as diabetic. That was not even remotely on my radar. Guess what some symptoms of diabetes are? Extreme fatigue, brain fog and just the lack of energy to do or be excited about anything. Sound familiar? So now I am actively treating the disease, making the changes -- not all of which are fun -- but I hope to come out the other side with more energy and a clearer head and back to the hobby which I really enjoyed and which gave me a focus during my premature retirement. Thanks for nothing, Covid. Content like this, which creates a chance to dialogue about important stuff, is really valuable. Thanks for that.
Yes, I totally agree.
Since I started painting miniatures in 1987, I have picked up and put down the brush many times.
Every time I picked up the brush was when I was in a dark period in my life.
And when things started getting better, I found that I put down the brush.
It seems when life‘s issues started to pile on, I would find myself putting everything to the one side, for a little while, except for painting my little dudes.
Just to have a few minutes being able to concentrate on only one thing, did wonders for my mood.
It’s just another form of escapism but everybody needs a break for reality now and then.
Great video. Thanks.
Great video. I am also in my 40s and have dealt with mental health issues since my young teens or even a bit earlier. Miniatures gaming is really the one constant in my life that has lasted my whole life (with a few breaks) from the first set of minis I got on Easter Sunday when I was 11 to now at 42 having owned countless armies and painted 1000s of miniatures. The hobby saved me, continues to save me, and is my way to relax. I have tried making it my career in different ways a few times, but have always found I was not as happy as I could or wanted to be when my hobby... was my job. It is far better to think of mini painting as the thing I get to do when I want to relax, then something I have to do. Thank you for the video, it has caused me to find your channel and I have subscribed and look forward to watching more.
I've been living ground hog day for the last 2 years and getting back into this hobby has filled me with a lot of excitment, so much so that I may or may not have spent over a week's wages on models, paint and tools. I built one intercessor this morning after work (took me ages to remove his shoulder pad to replace it with a death watch shoulder) but the serenity of the whole process was refreshing. Now I got to do this with the rest of my dark imperium primaris army and I can't wait till it's all done.
For me, the hobby doesn’t help me with depression or anything, but it definitely helps me stay “me.” My twins are almost 2 years old now, and it’s easy to lose yourself in that father role. I’ve lost touch with many friends who are in different stages of their lives, and I don’t blame anybody for that, it comes with a family. But when my boys go to sleep at night, and my wife eventually goes to bed, I get an hour or two with my paintbrushes and minis. I go back to being 18 again with no responsibilities to worry about, and having an outlet that lets me tune out life at the right times is great for my mental health.