Are you an aspiring artist (writer, painter, illustrator, filmmaker, musician, etc) feeling hesitant about starting your creative journey?
Perhaps you’re struggling with self-doubt, perfectionism, and impostor syndrome. If so, you’re not alone. I’ve come to realize those are going to be constant companions if you’re an artist, and we’re particularly susceptible because putting ourselves out there means having to open up a little bit and let strangers (and maybe even people we think high of) tell us what they think. We’re in one way or another, looking for constant validation from the outside world, but in reality, the worst possible judge is deep inside.
Finding Inspiration in the Cosmos of Ideas
Moving away from social media for a little bit helped too. I replaced doom scrolling with drawing or writing down ideas, even if those never come to realize as anything specific. I created a Notion account and kept different notebooks to “organize” my somewhat chaotic thinking. I used Facebook groups to bounce ideas with niche professionals and artists, and if I wanted to find inspiration to draw I went to Pinterest and found references and cool things that are more tailored to what I want to draw or paint that specific day. It has been refreshing, to be somewhat back in time and find useful things instead of trends that are pushed into my face because of algorithms.
Navigating Self-Doubt and Perfectionism As an Artist
For the last few months, I have been trying to just create art without thinking highly of the results or expecting too much. In reality, I’m not sure if this is the key to navigating the crawling emotions that paralyze me or the feeling of “nothing matters” — a result of a little mid-life crisis that came after moving to a new country and realizing that it was a mistake, coming back home licking my wounds. But the fact is that at least in this area of my life which I like to call my creative journey, I feel free, under less pressure, and if something goes wrong I either go with it and see if it turns better, or I move on to the next.
In the “Space Suit Girl” watercolor artwork I’m sharing here I felt very inspired and happy while sketching (the phase I feel most comfortable at), but once I started adding color, I felt anxious. Self-doubt and perfectionism threatened to derail my process. Questions like “Am I good enough?” and “Will anyone appreciate my work?” echoed back into my mind. However, I kept going and kept repeating myself that if I didn’t like this at the end, It wasn’t the end of the world. I could paint something else later, and no one had to see it if I didn’t want to share! I discovered that embracing imperfections and enjoying the process were key to not only unlocking my artistic potential but would be the foundation for building my self-confidence again.
Embracing the Journey, Not the Destination
Painting the space girl taught me an invaluable lesson: art is not just about the finished product; it’s about the journey. This sounds a little cheesy, but hey, I’m allowed to say this because:
a) I refuse to take myself seriously
b) I am an aspiring artist so I am allowed to fail and retry forever until the end of time. I have no deadlines and no lords to bow to
Rejecting Society (not really, but let’s pretend)
Society often measures success by arbitrary timelines and unrealistic media portrayals. It is easy to succumb to feelings of inadequacy or failure but over the past months (who knows how many, this has been far too long of a lesson), I have noticed that everyone’s journey is unique. There is not a “right” path or timeline for success. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, let’s celebrate our individuality and embrace our own personal evolution. Your evolution might take the form of creative growth, emotional openness, empathy, growing your family, leaving a toxic environment, or many others. Only you know what it is to be in your shoes, and evolution can be accepting a hard reality, and preparing to take the next small step.
Final Thoughts
This watercolor painting was more than just an artistic adventure. It was another step in a transformative journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Through overcoming negative emotions of self-doubt, embracing imperfection, and rejecting society (pressures), I was again reminded of very valuable lessons that continue to shape my artistic practice and adulthood. So, to all aspiring artists and struggling humans out there, remember that your journey is yours alone. Embrace it and let it guide you through the end of the day. Today might just be a foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
Oh yes, I also made a short YouTube video on this topic with the speed-up process of the painting in case you want to see it, subscribe and say hi there!
