The satisfaction of completing meaningful creative work can be followed by an unexpected emotional letdown the next day—particularly for people who create professionally.

A study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology followed 355 adults: 202 professional or serious creative practitioners and 153 people who were less regularly engaged in creative work. Participants first completed baseline assessments and then answered daily questions about creativity and well-being for 13 days. On days when participants reported greater creative engagement, they also generally reported higher well-being, including stronger feelings of engagement and accomplishment. Creativity felt rewarding while it was happening.

The surprise came the following day.

Research found that highly creative days increased people’s immediate sense of accomplishment but sometimes produced more negative emotions the following day.

How you feel the morning after creating something important may not tell you whether it is good.  Let the work settle before passing judgment.

“For creative practitioners, there can be a next-day emotional cost—even when the same-day effects are positive.” —  Kaile Smith, lead researcher, CUNY Graduate Center

Feel free to share