One sentiment I keep seeing in the art community is the rampant fear of not being good enough, or trying something new but being afraid you will mess it up. For example, what if I paint on this 10.00 sheet of watercolor paper and I mess it up? I can't post my art because everyone else is better than I am. What if I fail? What if I can't do it? What if everything I make is crap? What if I suck?
As artists, we are putting the very core of our souls on display for everyone to see. Opening ourselves up to criticism and opinions about our view of the world can be terrifying. We are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in a world that can be a scary place. Being vulnerable is the bravest thing you can do. If you have ever created anything and shared it, you are my super hero! Get yourself a cape!
Over the next few weeks, we are going to address all of these thoughts on a very personal level. I want you to start to become aware of your negative thoughts. Just acknowledge them and say "hey, I see you!". Then I want you to gently push them aside and think of the OPPOSITE of whatever you were thinking.
For example, if you think "What if I mess up this $10 dollar paper" I want you to say, "What if I make something completely awesome?" Instead of asking, "What if I fail", ask; "What if I succeed?" Instead of "What if I suck" ask; "What if I am awesome?"
I know you might not feel like you are awesome, but keep this up. Your thoughts form your reality. Say it with me "OUR THOUGHTS FORM OUR REALITY". I promise you, if you practice this one thing, over time your brain will get busy creating new neural pathways and you will change your view of life and yourself.
It is so easy to get caught up in our own minds. Our mind is the ultimate master of manipulation. If it is left to run rampant, it contains every doubt, every criticism, every trial and tribulation, every possible scenario of what could go wrong. I understand that this could be paralyzing. But I will let you in on a secret, 99% of the terrible, awful things that we think can happen, never come to fruition.
Think about it, how many times have you stressed out over things that never, ever happened? A lot, right? We are programmed to think about the negative, it is a protection mechanism that has gone awry. We no longer have to run from dinosaurs so our minds take that biological fight or flight response and it misappropriates it to every possible bad scenario that could happen.
Make the conscious decision right now to NEVER again let fear prevent you from trying something new, or making art, or using that paper! Start training your brain to think about what will go RIGHT!
I would love for you to join me on Patreon!
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