10 Ways to Overcome Creativity’s No.1 Crusher

“The worst enemy of creativity is self-doubt,” wrote Sylvia Plath in her journal. And she couldn’t have been more accurate. Self-doubt can persuade us to stop creating or keep us from sending our work out into the world. It can be so influential that it colors how we see ourselves, ensuring we don’t pick up a pen, paintbrush, camera or other tool for decades. “Self-doubt paralyzed me for 25 years,” said Meghan Davidson, Ph.D, a psychologist, professor and researcher at the University of Nebraska. When Davidson was eight years old, her art teacher wrote in her report card that she had “no artistic ability whatsoever.” This destroyed Davidson. Her teacher’s words became a running joke in her family, who had no idea of their crushing effect. It was only after a personal health crisis reminded her of the brevity of life that Davidson decided to pursue her creativity. She picked up a camera. Today, she’s an accomplished photographer whose work has been featured in gallery shows and publications such as UPPERCASE and Artful Blogging. Jolie Guillebeau’s project of 100 paintings a day “originated entirely from self-doubt.” “In February 2010, I wasn’t sure that I could even call myself an artist, because I wasn’t really painting. I’d been paralyzed from my own angst and hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in months.” She decided to prove herself wrong. After completing 100 paintings, Guillebeau felt more like an artist. But he...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Creativity General Mental Health and Wellness Motivation and Inspiration Self-Help 100 Paintings Art Teacher Artful Blogging Artistic Ability Brevity Carla Creativity Book Crusher Health Crisis Human Nature Illustrator Impo Source Type: blogs