Any creative project comes with fear. Fear is your barometer letting you know that you are challenging yourself. Creativity triggers fear, because there is an uncertain outcome. Take a moment to think about a creative project you have been wanting to start. What are you afraid of?
Instead of fighting your fear, learn to live with it. Once you relax, so does your fear. I got many insights from Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic. Since it’s impossible to overcome your fear, Gilbert suggests letting it come along for the ride. Imagine you are going on a road trip with your friends fear and creativity. Fear is allowed to join, but she’s definitely not allowed to drive.
Fear is also boring. It stops you from pursuing anything interesting. I was terrified when I went canyoning in Switzerland, terrified to start my online course, terrified to move to Mexico, but my curiosity and desire was greater than my fear.
In opposition to fear, I love what Gilbert calls Creative Entitlement, acknowledging that you have a human right to create, regardless of the outcome. It’s your self-absorption, judging what everyone thinks that is actually stopping you. Your fear has nothing to do with the personal pleasure of creating something just to create it.
I’d love to know what you are up to and creating! Just hit reply.
P.S. My friend just started an accountability group for us to do daily drawings and post them to our Facebook Group. Join if you are interested in having some community and art inspiration.