Oh, tosh.
I am VERY confident that with endless leisure and bonbons, I WOULD
write the Great American novel...

Or more seriously, I do not think anxiety (re. food, shelter, basics) does much for people or civilizations.
I do think every human benefits from some deeply challenging periods when they do struggle (to a degree) because you can't gain mastery or deep skill without struggle (or some would simply call it "practice" -- but for this brain, that often means struggle.) Others are just in an amazing flow and routine for many years, that make it work. Probably got food/shelter/healthcare covered, though. Starving artist/writer is fun, even cool, in your 20s. Then not.
It's just when it's all the damn time, that I think people wear out...
xo
Hops