Tag: creative fears

What’s confidence? What isn’t?

On By Alice StrathernIn Mindset

Here’s a couple of questions to ask yourself when you have a minute: What’s confidence? What isn’t?

Confidence is in your gut feeling.
In uncertainty.
In the things you are afraid of.
In the events yet to experience.

Confidence is not flawless. It’s in the trial and error, not in the perfect conditions. There are no conditions that are perfect. There will never be. It all begins with the unknown; with the uncomfortable.

It isn’t the absolute absence of fear. It’s moving forward while still afraid. It’s trusting process and the progress that comes along.

At the same time, welcoming the creative challenges you have at hand contributes to developing confidence. It’s all about “developing a taste for having problems,” as Oliver Burkeman proposes in his principles of patience. From this idea, it’s safe to come to the following conclusion:

The sooner you welcome uncertainty and not-knowing as normal ways of being, the better off you’ll be.

Austin Kleon

Embracing the unknown is the key phrase here. After all, no sailor learned anything in calm seas.

What does confidence look like to you?

Developing confidence is an ongoing process

On By Alice StrathernIn Mindset

Developing confidence is a journey that goes one step at a time.

Trust process. These words have become more and more common to find in areas related to business, art, and self-development to name a few.

I recently came across this other approach: Think process, not product. Austin Kleon always has precise advice.

Process, inevitably, allows confidence to develop. Even when you’re not sure what you’re doing, you are constantly getting clues that lead to further steps. That’s why it’s a good idea to pay attention to what you’re paying attention to.

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On beginnings: why you need to get started now

On By Alice StrathernIn Beginnings, Thoughts

I want to share a few thoughts on beginnings:

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.

alan cohen

Reading that quote reminds me of different conversations I’ve had with friends or colleagues. When talking about big life projects, I would often hear: “I need to get really good at ‘x’ thing to then start my own business.” “I need a few more years of experience.” “I’m waiting for the perfect moment.” “When I become an expert, I’ll get started.”

I can relate to all those thoughts. In the past, I used similar phrases, too. It’s scary to begin something when you feel you’re not good enough or when circumstances make it seem almost impossible.

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Finding your voice in the things you hate

On By Alice StrathernIn Inspiration, WritingLeave a comment

In the creative world, it’s common to hear conversations about “finding your voice.” You know, that thing that makes you unique when it comes to expressing yourself or bringing ideas to the table.

Once it’s time to turn your abstract thoughts into tangible actions, it’s a struggle to capture your true essence in them. How do you discover your own voice then? There’s many answers to this complex question. I recently discovered one through a powerful exercise that helps you reveal truths in an authentic way.

It’s simple, yet effective.

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Journals for thoughts, journals for life

On By Alice StrathernIn Personal, Thoughts, WritingLeave a comment

Sometimes, your thoughts can’t stay in your mind all the time.

Sometimes, it’s a good idea to talk to someone you trust. We all need to rant from time to time to get rid of all the things we’ve kept to ourselves.

Other times, thoughts are so private that it’s hard to share them with someone or in a blog. That’s when journals come to the rescue. I’ve been journaling for 23 years, and even when it seems that I’ve lost the habit of composing my private notes, I retake it, and my mind finds peace again.

There’s a place where the world can’t reach you and judge you: the pages of a journal. I find that introspection is therapy for the soul. When you write down your emotions and thoughts as you feel them or as you mean them, you create a new self. You get rid of all mental blocks and think clearly.

You’ll be surprised of all the answers you can find in your own words. You can be as bold as you like, and no one will be offended.

If you manage to maintain this habit for years, it’s useful to read past entries from time to time to remind yourself how you overcame tough situations. You can also remind yourself what things made you happy at a certain point and retake them.

What do you think?

 

Confronting Fears: What if your loved ones disapprove the stories you tell through your art?

On By Alice StrathernIn Inspiration, ThoughtsLeave a comment

Your art is personal and intimate. It feels safe to keep it for your eyes only.

However, the time comes when your work urges to reach the public light. How will others receive it?

What will your family and loved ones think about your creations? What if they are your harshest judges?

It’s natural to have these questions in your head. It’s natural to be scared of reactions from people who know you so well. Famous artists, at some point, went through the same situation. Dave Gahan, lead singer of Depeche mode, came to mind. As the band gained more popularity in the 80s, Dave didn’t want his mom to see him on stage singing and dancing. One day, Mrs. Gahan went to a concert and saw his act. She seemed to have mixed feelings.

Whether she liked it or not, that was Dave being himself. I guess they made peace regardless of any confrontations. His dancing style didn’t change over the years. Here’s proof.

So, the art you create might not delight your family or loved ones, and that’s okay. They may not be your audience, but you will find it. There’s always public for anything and everything. Your priority as a creator is producing quality work and improve yourself.

Meet your own expectations and take pride in your accomplishments. Your family and friends will always love you for who you are.