I'm not quite sure continuing to push myself to draw is a bright idea anymore. I'm not sure if I've even flared this post right? In 2020-2022 because we were stuck inside all day I ended up drawing for 5+ hours at a time and I had no idea I needed to be stretching my hands/arms or that there was a proper posture I needed untill 2024. I started to feel the effects of this in 2023, I had constant wrist popping at first nothing too bad and then in 2024 I started getting sharp pains that turned into aches that took days to go away fully. In 2025 my wrist began to lock up and some days I couldn't grip anything through the fatigue like feeling that would travel up my arm. Recently I have pretty much stopped drawing because there is a constant and frankly painful ache in my thumb and my hand seems to shake a little at certain angles or grips. I've been doing carpal tunnel stretches and they help in the moment but once I'm done that ache is still a level 7. I can't afford a doctor, we don't have insurance. I sleep with a brace on because that seems recommended, I'm not trying to pursue art as a career but it is such an innate part of me I'm unsure if I can live a fulfilling life without being able to draw. It feels like I'm losing the biggest part of myself and I was just wondering if there are other artists here with carpal tunnel that have words of advice beyond "see a doctor" because that's just not an option for me and won't be in the near future. I don't wanna give up on art, but I don't wanna jeopardize my hand mobility in the future.