You know that feeling, right? When you’re in the zone, everything’s clicking, and creativity is just flowing out of you like some kind of magic river. It’s pure bliss, like riding a wave of self-confidence and sheer awesomeness. Your ideas are popping, your hands are moving, and you think, "Damn, I’m good." And then... the self-talk creeps in, slowly at first, like a sneaky little dam builder, piling up doubts and second-guessing until your creative river is nothing more than a trickle. It's annoying, right? Why does our brain insist on interrupting our best moments?
The creative process, my friends, is fragile. It’s like a delicate soufflé that can collapse at the slightest disturbance. That's why I try to bulldoze as many obstacles out of the way as possible before I even start. But some obstacles are like cockroaches—they just won’t die. Chief among these pesky interruptions is self-talk, with its relentless, uninvited questions that show up precisely when we don’t need them.
Here are two of those creativity-killing questions that you need to kick to the curb:
- Is This “Art”?
Ah, the classic. We’ve all been there, right? You’re in the middle of a piece, and suddenly you think, "Is this even art?" It’s like asking if your cat loves you. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, but pondering it won’t get you anywhere productive. This question is a creativity killer because it demands a clear definition of "art." And trust me, going down that rabbit hole will lead you to one conclusion: We, the creators, don’t get to decide if what we make is art. That’s up to the audience. So, let's just call what we do “work” and keep moving. Next!
- Will Others Like My Work?
(Great, now we’re calling our art “work,” but whatever helps us sleep at night, right?)
If you’re not working for an art director, a client, or a specific audience, who cares if others like it? Seriously, who are these “others” anyway? Friends? Family? The elusive “general public”? And why should their potential disapproval stop you? Here’s the thing: If you work for yourself and find joy in what you create, chances are, someone out there will resonate with it too. Plus, let's be honest, not everyone is going to like everything. You could create the most breathtaking masterpiece, and there will still be someone who doesn’t get it. So why worry?
There are countless other questions that can sabotage your creative flow if they pop up at the wrong time. The trick is to anticipate them, write them down beforehand, and come up with answers that work for you—even if those answers are completely wrong. Because in the moment, it's not about having the right answers; it's about keeping that creative river flowing, undammed and free.
Imagine it: you're deep into your latest piece, your mind wandering through colors, shapes, and ideas like a kid in a candy store. And then—bam!—a thought strikes: "What if this isn't good enough?" Here's what you do. Laugh at that thought. Seriously, laugh at it. Picture it as a tiny, annoying gnat and flick it away. Because in that moment, what matters is the joy of creating, the thrill of seeing something come to life from your own mind and hands.
It’s like having a conversation with yourself—sometimes encouraging, sometimes exasperating, but always honest. Remember, it's okay to poke fun at yourself. After all, who doesn't appreciate a good laugh at their own expense? (well...) So, next time those pesky questions try to build a dam in your creative river, just smile, nod, and keep paddling. Your journey is yours alone, and it’s too beautiful to be stopped by a couple of misguided thoughts.
