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The media and creative industries thrive on passion, but that passion often comes at a cost. Behind the glamour of journalism, filmmaking, games, music, advertising, and online content creation lies a growing crisis-one of burnout, anxiety, substance abuse, and exhaustion. Why do so many creative professionals report feeling both deeply fulfilled and profoundly unwell?
Mark Deuze investigates the systemic issues that make creative work both exhilarating and unsustainable. Drawing on extensive research and in-depth interviews with media professionals, he notes the hidden downsides of doing what you love and offers a candid analysis of how workplace structures, high workloads, and perceived injustices contribute to mental and physical distress.
But this book is not just about what's broken; it's about what can be done. Deuze provides a roadmap for rethinking the culture of creative industries and offers strategies for balancing passion with sustainability. A practical resource for media scholars and those navigating the highs and lows of a creative career, this work challenges us to imagine a healthier future for our labour of love.
Deuze provides a thoughtful and passionate perspective on mental health in creative work, warning us of the challenges of an industry that can rely on the creatively and goodwill of its workers.
Preface: Outline, Positionality, and Gratitude
Chapter 1: Crisis? What Crisis?
Chapter 2: So What and Why Now?
Chapter 3: Defining Health and Well-Being in Creative Careers
Chapter 4: Mapping the Crisis
Chapter 5: The Pleasures and Paradoxes of Media Work
Chapter 6: Doing What You Love as a Blessing and a Curse
Chapter 7: What Makes You Happy Can Also Make You Sick
Chapter 8: Finding Joy at Work
Bibliography
Index