Everyone Who Works in Media Has Anxiety—And That’s OKAY

I’m just gonna say it: I’m okay. Not great. Not horrible. Just… okay.?

Maybe it’s this never-ending, soul-sucking winter. Washington, DC dodged snow for years, and now we’re getting hammered. Maybe it’s the lack of sunlight. (Seriously, WHERE is it?!) Or maybe it’s the sheer amount of change happening all at once.

For those of us in media, television, and creative industries, we’ve been on a rollercoaster with no seatbelt for a while now. The TV industry is shrinking—FAST. I have friends who haven’t had steady work in over 16 months. Freelancers are struggling. Networks and production companies are fighting tooth and nail for even one commission. It’s not just tough. It’s brutal.

And it’s not just media. I have family members , and let me tell you—when the government decides to shake things up, it does NOT do so gently. Mass layoffs. Hiring freezes. Radical reorganizations. Sound familiar? If you’ve worked in media, publishing, tech, or honestly any industry experiencing massive shifts, you know this feeling well:

?? That uncertainty.

?? That weight on your chest.

?? That gnawing anxiety that makes you wonder, am I doing enough?

The SNL Moment That Hit Too Close to Home

Then, Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Special aired, and I felt seen.

Andy Samberg and Bowen Yang performed Everyone Who Worked on SNL Has Anxiety, listing name after name of cast members who have struggled with the relentless stress of the show.

Bowen’s verse? OOF. He fears that if he does take care of his mental health and slows down, he’ll be forgotten.

Anyone else feel that deep in their soul??

And if you watched the SNL 50 docuseries on Peacock, it got even more real. One episode focused on the writers, and let me tell you—"writer" is a criminal understatement for what they do. In my industry, they’d be called a producer/writer/director/firefighter/creative-genius-who-sleeps-never. And they do in ONE WEEK what most of us do in a month.

Why This Struggle is So Real

I’ve been there. That razor-thin tightrope between adrenaline and anxiety, where you’re buzzing with excitement one minute and absolutely convinced you’re a fraud the next.

? You’re THRILLED to be creating something new.

? You’re ALSO terrified that it’s garbage and you’re wasting everyone’s time.

Sound familiar? This is the mental tightrope of every creative, freelancer, and media professional trying to navigate an industry that’s constantly shifting.

And when you pile on:

? A contracting job market

? Uncertainty for friends and family

? The pressure to “stay relevant” …it’s no wonder so many of us feel like we’re white-knuckling it through our careers.

So Here’s the Truth: It’s OKAY to Just Be OKAY.

?? Being okay is like driving the speed limit (or even slowing down when the rain is really coming down).

?? Being okay is curling up with your go-to comfort food because you know it’s gonna hit just right.

?? Being okay is NOT something you need to apologize for.

You are not failing because you’re not thriving. You’re living.

And if you’re feeling this way? Drop a ?? in the comments. Let’s talk about it. Because I guarantee—you’re not alone.

About the Author

Shannon Malone-deBenedictis (she/her) is a two-time Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker, creative consultant, speaker, and facilitator. From writing her first play at age 10 to executive producing documentaries for Disney+, Netflix, and others, she’s always loved telling stories.

?? Learn more about Shannon’s speaking topics and creative services at padlincreative.com.