It takes a lot of courage to pick up the paint brush, or any creative tool.
It doesn’t matter what your medium is, it can feel daunting to make a single mark.
Creativity can be overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time.
I know when I paint, I often have to listen to an inner voice that can be intrusive and loud.
This is the voice that gives me a hard time. This is the voice that gets me stuck.
I gave my critic a name. I call her Zelda. She is a real piece of work to deal with.
She would much prefer I am at home watching Judge Judy at 4pm.
She also has a lot to say when I am painting...
Are you sure you took that color class, girl? ...You should probably just quit now because this is a just a hot mess…
You get the idea. How does your inner critic stop you?
Here is the real truth about the inner critic.
Your critic is trying to protect you because being creative is ...well vulnerable.
Your critics job is just to protect you and keep you from failure and embarrassment.
Get to know your inner critic and learn how to gently talk back to it.
Rather than pushing it away, is it possible to befriend it and distract it, or even trick it so you can get back to work?
Creative life requires that we are bold and daring.
The drive to nourish, maintain and sustain your art-making is an inside job.
It is important to identify your creative mission and vision and get to know what you value about being an artist.
We can work with the voice of the critic, if we create systems and rituals that support us.
Here are a few ideas that might help.
Identify your values as an artist
Write your own art manifesto and post where you can see it everyday.
Find creative allies
Join a creative support or mastermind group. Creating community around creativity keeps you from feeling isolated.
Set small measurable goals
Create a series if small measurable and achievable goals will help you build confidence.
Talk Back.
Summon your inner art hero persona, and let your critic know, It’s time to chill, because your in charge- you’ve got this.
Be consistent.
Make creativity it a habit-like building a muscle. When you do this your confidence will increase.
Feel It.
What is the felt-sense of your inner critic? Is it a fluttering in your chest or a knot in your stomach? Notice how it shows up. By shining the light of awareness on it you can begin to shift and give yourself room to work creatively with it.
Get mindful as you work.
Stay in the present moment by connecting to the breath and feeling your connection to the ground. Stay connected with the sensations- sounds and feelings of the work that is front of you. Mindful attention is a powerful, yet gentle way to work with the inner critic.
Reward your self.
Take a break and have a day where you just play and have some fun. Visit a museum or an art supply store. Savor and enjoy.
Write it down.
Write your Morning Pages. Get all the doubts, fears, worries and stuff that is floating around in your head out on paper. Getting rid of what you don’t need makes space for what you do need- clarity and freedom.
Create a ritual.
Play your favorite music, have a cup a tea, whatever supports you and your work- do it!
Be kind. Be compassionate.
Offer yourself compassion. It matters. Treat yourself the way you would treat a friend going through something similar. Being an artist is hard work. Simply notice when it is hard and acknowledge what is happening.
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