Hey there, fellow creatives! Being an artist is a wild, wonderful ride, but let’s face it, it’s not without its bumps. From battling self-doubt to despair with creative blocks, and the ever-present money worries, the artist’s life can be a real rollercoaster.
But fear not! I want to give you the tools and tips for overcoming imposter syndrome as an artist and more and keep going.
Challenge 1: Self-Doubt
Self-doubt- that nagging voice in your head questioning your every move, your worth, the value of your work, and your relevance. Sound familiar? Everyone struggles with self-doubt from time to time, but when you are a creative person your work is deeply connected with your existence, values, ideas, and personality. This can make self-doubt so very hard to bear.
Give yourself some credit. You were choosing one of the hardest paths in life and you are still going, therefore:
How to Overcome Self-Doubt:
Keep a brag book. Yes, you heard me! Jot down every win, big or small, and revisit it whenever self-doubt creeps in. Why not? Have you ever tried it?.... Thought so.
Find your tribe. Surround yourself with supportive folks who can give you honest, constructive feedback. It’s amazing how a fresh perspective can boost your confidence.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a masterpiece. Break your goals into bite-sized chunks and celebrate each milestone.
Challenge 2: Imposter Syndrome
Ah, the imposter syndrome- a regular guest in most people's houses... the feeling that you’re just faking it, and any minute now, everyone will find out.
Spoiler alert: They won't because there is nothing to find out in the first place.
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome:
Know what sets off those imposter feelings. Is it a big project? A critique? Someone that is "superior" to you, authority, a gallerist, an art critic? Awareness is your first line of defense.
Throw yourself a mini party for every achievement. Artists usually know how to. You worked hard for it, you might as well enjoy it!
Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend, a real one. Everyone has off days and makes mistakes. i know this can be specifically hard when you are in the zone of beating yourself up. How's that going so far?
Challenge 3: Creative Blocks
Creative blocks are like uninvited guests- they show up out of nowhere and overstay their welcome. And what are we doing with uninvited guests?
How to Overcome Creative Blocks:
Shake things up. Work in a new space, visit a gallery or go for a nature walk. Fresh surroundings can ignite fresh ideas.
Forget the pressure. Doodle, play with new mediums or do something completely unrelated to art. Play can spark creativity. If you want to dive deeper into the topic of your inner child, check THIS out.
Create a routine that includes dedicated creative time. Show up, even if you’re not feeling it- sometimes the muse needs a little nudge. Listen to music that usually inspires you, sometimes this will light your fire.
Challenge 4: Money Worries
Money worries can feel like a dark cloud hanging over your creative head. The fear of not having enough of it is an absolute killjoy and one of the biggest enemies for everyone creative or otherwise self-employed. Balancing art and finances is no small feat.
How to Overcome Money Worries:
Get clear on your finances. Create a budget that covers your essentials and sets aside funds for your art.
Think beyond just selling art. Teach workshops, offer commissions, or create merchandise.
Here's a powerful technique from IEMT (Integral Eye Movement Therapy) to help change your money mindset:
The Money Memory Reframe:
Identify the Memory: Think of a specific memory where you felt significant anxiety or fear about money. This could be from any time in your life.
Observe the Feelings: Close your eyes and bring up the memory. Notice the emotions and physical sensations it triggers. Don't judge, just observe. What kind of feeling comes up for you?
Eye Movement Therapy: With your eyes open, hover one hand over one eye, as if you were a pirate. Hold it for a second, then change the eye. Cover the other eye, hold it, and switch again. While you are doing this keep thinking of the memory. Keep doing this for about a minute and then check in with yourself. What is happening for you now?
Reframe the Memory: Now bring the memory back and try to see it from a different perspective. Can you think of it more neutrally, or differently about it? For example, as a learning experience or as something that made you stronger. Repeat this process several times, observing how the emotional intensity decreases.
Create a Positive Anchor: Now, think of a memory where you felt abundant and secure financially. Anchor this positive memory by touching a specific point on your body (e.g., pressing your thumb and forefinger together) while recalling the good feelings. Repeat this process several times, so your body knows what sensation to evoke when you fire your anchor.
So there you have it! While self-doubt, imposter syndrome, creative blocks, and money worries are all too common in the artistic world, they’re not unbeatable. By acknowledging these challenges and applying practical strategies (with a bit of IEMT and hypnosis magic), you can overcome them and continue to shine.
The most important thing to remember is: Don't quit!
If you want to explore how I can help you further and take your struggles out of the "struggling artist", check out my service Creative Confidence Studio. We might meet very soon.
And till then,
to your success,
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