When Luck Knocks: Navigating Creativity, Chance, and Mental Well-being

In a recent episode of the BBC Sounds podcast Sidetracked, musician Loyle Carner reflected on a pivotal moment in his early career. Back in 2015, he was set to perform on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury, only to face an empty tent. Just before the show began, it started to rain. Festivalgoers, seeking shelter, flooded in. By the time his set started, the tent was packed. What began as a quiet moment turned into an unforgettable performance, all because of a sudden shift in the weather.

This story stuck with me as a reminder of the often-unspoken role of luck in the creative industries. It’s tempting to attribute success solely to talent or grit. But sometimes, timing, coincidence, or even the rain can shift the course of your path. So how do we hold space for both our own efforts and the randomness of life?

As a therapist with an interest in working with creative minds, I often hear the quiet worry: “What if I’m just not lucky enough?” It’s a valid question. But the truth is more nuanced. Luck does matter, sometimes profoundly. But it is never the full story. You still need to be there, doing the work, ready to seize the moment when it arrives.

This blog explores the subtle dance between creativity and chance and how to protect your mental health as you navigate it.

Creativity and Chance: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Creativity is deeply personal, often unpredictable, and shaped by our internal world. Luck, on the other hand, is external, events that happen beyond our control. But in practice, the two frequently intertwine. You might meet a future collaborator by chance, discover your next idea during a conversation, or go viral because of a fluke in the algorithm.

Research backs this up. Many successful creatives and entrepreneurs admit that serendipity played a role. Yet they were also prepared, skilled, passionate, and resilient (enough), so that when opportunity knocked, they could answer.

So rather than dismissing luck or becoming dependent on it, acknowledge it and keep showing up.

Grounding Yourself in the Creative Process

1. Create Consistently, Not Perfectly

Creative work is inherently messy. Waiting for perfection before sharing your art, writing, or music is a trap that stifles growth. In fact, embracing imperfection often leads to unexpected breakthroughs. Many artists say that their best work emerged from moments of vulnerability, not mastery.

Try this: Commit to creating regularly, without obsessing over outcomes. Let the process be your focus. Whether or not luck shows up that day, you’re building something real.

2. Build Routines That Anchor You

Creativity doesn’t need to be chaotic. Routine can actually support inspiration. Setting aside regular time for your craft creates consistency, even when external results are uncertain.

Try this: Designate specific windows in your week for creative work. Over time, this helps regulate your nervous system, reduces stress, and nurtures sustainable output.

Inviting Luck In, Without Waiting on It

1. Stay Open to the Unexpected

You can’t force luck, but you can create conditions where it’s more likely to find you. Openness, whether to new people, environments, or risks, widens your field of possibilities.

Try this: Attend events, join creative communities, or explore something outside your usual comfort zone. Sometimes, what feels like luck is just being in the right place with the right mindset.

2. Collaborate and Connect

Good things often happen through connection. Creative partnerships not only expand your ideas but also expose you to new audiences and opportunities.

Try this: Look for groups, meet-ups, or online spaces where creatives gather. Share your work. Listen deeply. You never know what doors a single conversation might open.

Safeguarding Your Mental Health on the Journey

1. Practice Mindfulness Amidst Uncertainty

Mindfulness offers a grounding force in an unpredictable industry. It helps you stay connected to the present, where creativity actually lives, instead of spiralling into comparison or fear of the future.

Try this: Begin your day with 5–10 minutes of deep breathing or guided meditation. This small habit can increase creative thinking and emotional resilience.

2. Honour Your Needs

Creativity flourishes when we’re well-nourished, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Burnout is real, and so is the pressure to keep producing in competitive spaces.

Try this: Prioritise rest, nourishment, and play. Step away from your work when needed. Often, your next great idea surfaces when you're not trying to force it.

3. Set Goals with Compassion

Unrealistic goals can fuel imposter syndrome, especially in a field where success often hinges on elements outside your control. Set intentions that reflect your values, not just external benchmarks.

Try this: Break larger projects into manageable steps. Celebrate progress. Allow space for setbacks without seeing them as signs of failure.

Resilience When the Odds Feel Against You

1. Reframe Setbacks as Lessons

Every creative hits dead ends. What matters is what we do next. Many successful individuals credit their setbacks as the turning points that taught them the most.

Try this: Keep a reflective journal. Note what worked, what didn’t, and how you felt. With time, you’ll build insight, and self-trust.

2. Lean Into Community

You don’t have to do this alone. Being part of a creative community offers not just feedback but emotional support and perspective.

Try this: Find a few trusted peers with whom you can share honestly. Build spaces where vulnerability is welcome, not judged.

Closing Thoughts: Creativity, Luck, and You

Luck may open a door, but it’s your creativity, hard work, and growth that will walk through it.

Rather than denying the impact of fortune, or letting it define you, acknowledge it as part of the tapestry of your journey. Let it humble you when things go well, and comfort you when they don’t. But never let it overshadow your own voice, effort, or resilience.

The creative path rarely unfolds in straight lines. Sometimes you prepare for an empty room, and the rain fills it. Other times, you play your best set to silence. Either way, the work matters. Showing up mattes.. You can’t control the rain. But you can be ready when it falls.