Blog Post

Fear Kills Creativity

February 23, 2020

I’ve never been one to stare at a blank page. Either I was writing or I wasn’t. I never seemed to lack inspiration, ideas, or gumption. As I thought about writing my first blog I understood what most writers talk about in the intimidation of a blank page. No inspiration, no confidence, and a lot of doubt. Until it hit me.

Every artist, whatever your art may be, has a certain doubt and fear about revealing our craft to the outside world. What we do write poetry, music, or novels, or draw, paint, photography, etc, it becomes very personal. A piece of who we are is placed into that work of art. Until we think about sharing with others, we can be vulnerable. I believe that is where a lot of fear, and a lot of doubt, comes into our thoughts. 

With me at least it is a fear of being vulnerable, someone seeing my weaknesses, but mostly it is someone seeing the real me. What will they think of me? What will they think about the way I think? Will they like me? A lot of me, right?

When I focus on the fear I doubt myself, my writing, and my voice.

So what happens? I shut down. 

I stop creating and it kills me. Not literally, but I notice a difference. If I am not writing, even if I miss a day, I feel off. Grouchy and irritable my family might say. 

How do I get past it? I’m so very glad you asked.

  1. And this may sound like the complete opposite of what your teacher, parent, or any authoritative figure in your life told you to do:

I stop thinking. Weird right?

I stop thinking and overanalyzing what people will love or hate about my writing.

  1. I stop doubting. 

Sure, I know I am not the best writer. I was never formally taught to write stories. I started when I was nine and kept going. So not the best, but I’m not the worst. And since I’m not dead yet I have the rest of my life to keep learning and keep getting better. 

Never stop learning and practicing (even if it is something you aren’t good at or may not love).

  1. And finally three. I do.

When I write best is when I let my bunny trail mind come up with possibilities, and then I write. I don’t worry or overthink. I just write. By doing what I love it sparks more ideas, words, sentences until I’ve written what I wanted. 

I take action and let my creative side go. Not forced like school was to me, but as normal as breathing (I say that a lot). 

I do and then, I’m not sure if it is a feeling or what (someone may know a name for this), but something takes over.

Sharing my writing with others still terrifies me so it became inspiration for my first blog post. 

What I’m learning is being vulnerable and sharing pieces of myself with others is a strength and allows them to feel vulnerable too. And sometimes what I’ve written means something, someone else can relate.

     Isn’t that what art is? 

Relating on levels we couldn’t before? 

So please share your art too, whatever it may be, because someone else may need what you have to share.

What are your ways to get over the fear and doubt of sharing your art? 

 Please comment and share below!

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23 thoughts on “Blog Post”

  1. POST 56!!!!! So good! Such a phenomenal depiction of endurance, perseverance, and hope. I cannot wait for the next post!

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  3. I am loving The Adventure Shop! Fiction and fantasy is such a diverse genre, but many times, stories seem to follow similar paths. It can be difficult to find and to write something truly unique, but that is precisely what you have created with The Adventure Shop! Your characters are so relatable, and there are so many great details and descriptions woven throughout each post. I haven’t decided yet which character is my favorite, but once I do, they will certainly hold a spot tied with Greeney ☺️ I can’t wait for your next post!

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  4. “One more time.” The way you spoke about that phrase reminded me of Hebrews 12:1-2.
    I’m so thankful for the example you are setting.

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  5. I admire your willing vulnerability and how you have place fear into the open, showing it to be a sad little creature that can only torment when unacknowledged.
    I have not overcome fear of creating in a while, might be time to start seeing as I have a role model.

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  8. This is what it truly feels like to be stuck in our heads and listening to the deadly lies. This is an amazing story!!

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  13. GURL. This would be one of my dream jobs (besides you know, being a dragon tamer and a kick-ass soldier….) This is amazing. Your writing is always such a treat to read!

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  14. ONE MORE TIME. I know the week has been draining, but keep putting one foot in front of the other. It’s hard. It sucks. But keep going!

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  15. I think putting yourself out there is one of the most terrifying things you can do, but it can be so rewarding! So I try to not think of the negative “what if’s” but rather the positive ones, you’ve got this!

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