Feeling like a modern-day Van Gogh?
- Shama Nimkar
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: May 31
Fan your whimsies, don't kill them!
"Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."–Bertrand Russell.
When life feels like a losing battle, it’s easy to slip into a spiral of negativity. Modern-day youth often experience this chain of negative thoughts, struggling to find their identity in a competitive world where skills have become easily replaceable.
Much like the post-impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh, whose posthumous fame served as a rather poetic ode to his art, the fear of unacknowledged work is a stark reality for many young professionals, who dream of leaving behind a lasting mark on this world.
However, individuals whose skills do not translate to the masses initially are often said to achieve many great things in life eventually.
Great things take time
"Because ideas that stray from societal norms receive acceptance seldom."
When choosing to step away from the herd, it's important to remember that the road ahead will be tough and lonely, but as the saying goes, “the path less travelled often leads to extraordinary destinations.”
Hitting rock bottom
A few years back, I was stuck in a similar quandary––the scary midlife crisis. Today, I am in a much better space, but back then, it had hit me like a rock. I was drowning in an ocean of self-doubt and worry. Stuck in a dead-end job, I wondered if this was it––waking up, going to the office, working on assigned tasks, and never receiving any recognition for it. Ah, the existential dread!
It's a frustrating disconnect––that gnawing feeling of knowing your capabilities yet seeing them fall short of external validation. You perceive your potential, understand your inherent value, yet the translation to tangible appreciation feels blocked. The core question becomes: why isn't the value you see in your work resonating with others?
Van Gogh - a tragedy?
It is indeed living like a modern-day Van Gogh when you know your worth, but everyone around you fails to notice it.
Van Gogh's early life, shaped by mental struggle, wasn't artistic at all. He started his career by pursuing conventional work—art dealing, then teaching. Despite gaining structure and travel, he felt adrift. Disconnected, his heart yearned for something deeper, an elusive calling beyond what society deemed respectable.
Van Gogh's celebrated whimsical strokes are not just a painting style; they are the visual echo of his turbulent inner world. His paintbrush ultimately defined his legacy, leading to both his fame and demise.
His artwork, known for its blues and nightscapes like 'The Starry Night,' are often mapped to his psyche—capturing a potent mix of frenzy and creativity; feeling exhausted, and depressed but not sans the want to create.
"Similarly, we modern-day Van Goghs feel the need to create something that resonates with our passion and aligns with our thinking," says Anvita Ranade, a 29-year-old media professional frustrated after multiple corporate jobs, where her skills weren't valued or appreciated.
"There are days when I go the extra mile only to receive negative feedback, bringing my morale significantly down. I have been told I write well, I know I do, but no matter what I do, my skills just don't translate at work. Nobody appreciates them."
Creative dismay?
More and more Millennials and Gen Zs are succumbing to poor mental health as a result of workplace struggles. Many feel so disparaged that they resort to self-harm.
"Now this calls for attention. We must guide our patients to understand that their worth extends far beyond their professional roles. It is how they handle their relationships, their responsibilities and much more. Work is a part of your life, not your entire life," says Kiran Makhijani, a practising Psychologist based in Mumbai.
"Never base your identity solely on your work," she adds.
The deteriorating mental health among young professionals can also be attributed to the increasing pressure to succeed. "In order to survive a professionally high-stakes culture, it's okay to climb the ladder at your own pace.”
Instead of chasing external approval, cultivate self-validation. “This inner compass of worth will help you when the world beats you down. It’ll help you differentiate between genuine criticism and negative intentions,” she concludes.
Additionally, Ranade feels that it's important not to jump at the first opportunity that lands your kitty. "Take a job that aligns with your long-term goals. Working on someone else's terms, especially in a creative field, doesn't work well with professionals. It curbs their creativity, thus decreasing their overall productivity and job satisfaction."
Create, don't kill
Thus, it’s important to embrace the passionate spirit of Van Gogh’s art, but reject his self-inflicted pain. It’s okay to be a modern-day Van Gogh, fuelled by fire, yet grounded in self-care. Recognition may take time, and that's okay!
Instead of fearing failure, remember Marianne Williamson's wisdom: "Behind every fear, there is a miracle waiting." Embrace the infinite possibility of success. Cultivate your unique creativity; do not let it die. Miracles await.