The amount of content I read and listen about Creativity -and the Vertigo that can inspire- is alarming. It can feel as an insecure path among so many others that seem safer.
Are they safer, though?
Now that the situation proves that most of social jobs aren’t that «safe to keep», new doors get opened to what it’s really important. It might be different for you, but for me it’s the mental peace. I consider essential to feel the calm that a creative space can bring every time I am anxious. This corner does not necessarily creates a bubble but a safe space where I can turn my negativity into expression. This way I can push the drama out and realize that maybe it was not that big of a deal. In other cases I was not even able to fix it. So there is nothing I can do.
Kinds of Fear
Every creator or artist have Fear, of any kind, even the writers of those self-help books that you read for guidance. Let’s name a few, shall we?
_ Fear of wasted time
_ Fear of not meeting others’ expectations
_ Fear of failure
_ Fear of what people will think
_ Fear of not being considered normal
_ Fear of lack of inspiration
_ Fear of loneliness
_ Fear of becoming crazy
The list can go on, but we are not going to focus on negativity. This is not a post about that. In this post I want you to trick your fears in order to make them smaller. Even to push you towards your goals if you like.
Trick your fear and value Creativity
I know that every situation shaped each one of us differently. Althought I assume that most of us had a hard year in which our plans got delayed or cancelled. Mine were cancelled for now. But instead of getting blocked I tried to look for another alternative.
Society give us so many options that, ironically, it can be the same reason by which we get blocked at choosing. «If I don’t choose wisely I will fail.» Am I right? Personally, I was always looking back, unsure. I would consider all my options while not enjoying the present. Why? Because I was waiting for some more things to come. I felt not quite prepared. At the same time, I took other gifts for granted. I would place my Art in the «hobby shelf» with little value.
What made the change?
Well, let’s say I was done with that self-talk. In search for guidance I listened to many podcasts while making my “hobbies”. One day, I came across one in particular that talked about the Child Artist. The term was explained as a way to help unfold Creativity and reduce the high expectations. Months after that, I was told about another book that was going against it by saying that the Child Artits were -in the writer’s experience- full of fear.
This subjectives ideas made me analyze my story: I remember my younger self as a girl full of playfulness, ideas, magic, and fantasy. I was not afraid. So in order to tackle this great decision I tried to handle it in a childish way.
Be curious and play
«What about your Fears?» – you will say. After analysing my own list, two winners were in the podium: Fear of wasted time and Fear at meeting the expectations. So I placed them in front of me and asked myself: «Which one would help me work on my passion and which one would stop me from doing it?
I chose to use the Fear of Time in my favour. The unpredictable needs would be handled by creativity and bravery.
In other words, once you try everything and the only thing left is you hobby… why not to turn it into something that help you and others?
This approach might not help everybody but it did help me. So far. Believe me, even though I am starting, I never felt so free and calm. Because I am confident that the ideas will come while I am working on others. I just know. But waiting for them is not the way, and I had to learn this fact when I needed it the most.
What will you choose?
Will you wait until you are desperate? Or maybe until you lack other options? Whichever option you choose, I hope this small piece of experience helps you.
Have a great day!
Bibliography:
Julia Cameron: The Artist’s Way. A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. 1992. United States
Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic. Creative Living beyond fear. 2015. Great Britain
PS: In case you knew some of these books and want to connect with great people: The Artist’s Way Group on Facebook.
