Facing The Creative Paradox: Uncertainty and Confidence in Art

Key Points

• Allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes and explore without the pressure of perfection.
• Cultivate a supportive inner dialogue to foster a safe emotional environment for creativity.
• Remember the “Why”: Stay connected to your core motivations to maintain clarity and purpose in your artistic endeavors.

A Symptom You Have a Creative Passion — It Hurts

As you create art, there’s always this uncertainty. Whether you’re a professional who paints all the time, every day, or a casual doodler, you suffer the same tendency to look back.

Do you look behind yourself? Do you wonder whether you’re doing the right thing? Question your abilities?

I think most of us suffer this infirmity when it comes to confidence. We see a challenge before us; it’s a tall mountain we have to climb. It could be a difficult task at work, an emotional drain on our psyche, or that project we ALWAYS wanted to do, but were deathly frightened it would turn out like crap.

The Paradox

This is the paradox. We live onward, striving to become better, hoping for that final reward of finishing well. We don’t just want to complete things; we want to stand on that pedestal, the podium of life.

And yet, the fear of not reaching that “perfection” holds us back. Is this you?

It is me. It is often a creeping sensation just before a paintbrush touches paint. The paint is the trigger that torches my confidence, evaporating the sense that “I can do it.”

The fight is real. To win over my self-esteem that doesn’t always like getting out of bed.

I feel sluggish before starting most artistic projects. There are weights on my ankles. It is better that I don’t start at all. I feel safer just being still, not doing anything.

The fear of failure leads to failure. That’s the axiom.

Of course, how does one go forward?

Mind Hacks to Overcome the Fear of Progress

There are 3 mind hacks I use. I hope it’s not cliché, but they work for me.

1. Make a Mess

Unless the task is clear, allow yourself to make a giant mess. Be a kid. Play. Children screw things up all the time, and they seem to have fun anyway. They keep going. That drawing, that clay lump they’ve molded into the unmentionable thing you think they tried to make, doesn’t stop them. Kids keep going and make a mess of it all.

Giving yourself permission to make mistakes is key to getting things done. In that darkness of uncertainty, embrace the mess. In other words, stop creating your identity around the idea that you need to be perfect.

Trying to be perfect is irrational.

2. Be Kind to Yourself

I think one of the vices artists and creatives internalize is the ubiquitous critique. To make something new, or great even, requires us to place value on the effort and the result. We judge our productivity and products because that’s how our conscious skills solidify into muscle memory.

But the flip side is that placing value on our abilities and outcome creates a conflict. We are constantly beating ourselves up, receiving feedback that may not be helpful for creating the safe emotional environment that allows us to create with a free mind.

Around each brick-laden corner, we feel a lurking suspicion that someone with bad intentions is watching our every move. They spring to action, out from the shadows with realistic intentions—the insidious, even rational words that are meant to “help us improve.”

And yet, against any creative process, this is deadly. Even the trepidations of a future we’ve yet to encounter keep us from moving forward. You can’t steer a ship that isn’t moving.

READ MORE: ANXIETY? A REASON TO PAINT MINIATURES

So, instead of constantly beating yourself up over a future path you haven’t walked, create the “kindness zone” where you can be yourself, freely. The kindness zone—or this self-efficacious way of embracing thoughts and actions that say “you are doing the best you can, and whatever happens, happens”—is probably the most profound way to overcome the fear of doing things new, innovative, and fulfilling.

You are worth the effort you exert to improve yourself.

3. Remember the “Why”

Every action starts with intention. Somewhere along the line, maybe you’ve gotten bogged down by the process and forgotten why you started to begin with.

Why did you start painting that miniature? Or why did you accept that job? Why are you trying to do things differently?

If you’ve forgotten the “why” of what made you start whatever you’re doing, then you’re in for a world of hardship. The BIG WHY of whatever you’re doing is the MOST POWERFUL motivating factor you can draw from.

The big why?

When you’re cooking a meal for dinner with fine ingredients, but don’t feel like making it tasty and would rather just grab that quick microwave meal—pause—are you simply hungry, or were you looking to “create” a meal you’re proud of?

One feeds you physically. The other feeds you emotionally and spiritually. If you’re hungry for physical, emotional, and spiritual fulfillment, then it’s going to be more work. If you just need some elevated blood glucose for your gym session? Nuke your food.

Remember the Why. It’ll save you time, keep your thoughts and paths clear of distraction, and you’ll find yourself free to do things with less of that “burdensome, foggy” feeling. In fact, the more you engage this self-awareness in living with intention, with the powerful undercurrent of “a clear ‘why,’” the more content you’ll be in whatever you do.

Another way to put this is to live a purpose-driven life.

When you’re in a creative business, hobby, or feeling the need to produce something “important,” lay out the purpose. What do you want to do with your thoughts, skills, and abilities? Do that—even better, do it with tips #1 and #2 in mind!

Conclusion

I’ve been a working artist (moonlighting) for many, many years. I can tell you that the challenges of overcoming self-doubt, lack of motivation, and all the mental blocks have never faded. In fact, I would say that the more productive I’ve become, the more internal resistance I’ve experienced.

READ MORE: LACKING MINIATURE PAINTING MOTIVATION? TRY THESE TIPS

Flipping the script, I know that the closer I am to the finish line, the more hazards I’ll face with the temptation to quit.

Indeed, everyone suffers alone; struggles alone. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to solving the apprehension in the creative process.

The future is always in a fog of unknowns. But in the trepidation, there is where the adventure lies.

Charge onward!