How to boldly pursue your artistic calling even if you’re riddled with self-doubt

As true artists, we all share a deep longing to embrace our calling and share who we are through our creativity.

But sometimes fear sneaks into our lives and we question whether we’re meant to be an artist. It’s the fear that we don’t have what it takes, and that our dreams will remain just that — dreams.

When our inner critic keeps telling us our work is not good enough, we struggle to embrace our identity as an artist.

As a result, what we’re left with is a tension between wanting to turn art into a livelihood and believing it is possible. An uneasy feeling which can make the road ahead feel more terrifying than exciting

Let me tell you something.

Most artists, at some point, feel self-doubt and question their calling. It’s part of being an artist. We question what we are doing, we quiver and want to throw in the towel. That’s normal.

When I go through moments of doubt I start to question my ability to create new work, I feel my creative energy slipping away and I am left feeling drained.

But we have a choice.

I could just do nothing and let self-doubt wash all over me when things have not gone as expected. Alternatively, I can use this as motivation, a starting point for my next creative project.

I remember after I finished my degree I submitted to various galleries and was not accepted. It felt like rejection and I did feel like giving up.

But I started to dig deeper and found a voice within me with a different perspective.

Just use this raw emotion to create something new and submit the previous piece to a different gallery!” It was this voice within which had helped me turn my initial rejection into a strong foundation of my art business and owning my art gallery.

We all experience self-doubt but the difference is to dig deep and don’t give up. Use your feelings of discouragement, anger, or excitement to fuel your art or your next creative project.

Quote about self doubt by William Shakespeare

Here are a few things that help you mute your voices of self-doubt and trust yourself again when feeling defeated:

1. Listen to the beat of your own drum

Hovering right beneath your thoughts are other people’s perceptions, judgement and declarations about what an artist is and is not.

Don’t listen to the noise, instead believe in your ideas of what it means to be an artist.

I understand that approval is a vital building block in establishing self-esteem and confidence — especially early on in your career.

But this can soon turn into a trap.

Particularly if we are often told that our aspirations are unrealistic or that we can't achieve them.

Negative chitter-chatter from others influences the decisions you make and how you do things. It’s a sad fact, but sometimes we are so influenced by other opinions that we end up lowering our aims.

Stop asking for validation

Seeking others’ input and advice is helpful. But don’t make a habit of always asking others what they think. For example, if you’re working on a new project, and you continue to change what you have created based on the feedback you receive you end up losing your voice.

As a result, your artwork becomes a diluted version of who you are. Take some advice, but only make a decision based on what feels right to you.

2. Invest in yourself

It is easy to get lost in self-doubt when you don’t feel good about yourself and don’t take care of your needs.

Don’t underestimate the power of a good night sleep and regular exercise. It is so much easier to deal with rejections and all the ups and downs along the way if you feel your physical best. A daily ten-minute run, swim or walk can go a long way.

country road with trees and creative self doubt quote

3. Approach self-doubt as a skill

On average we have about 60–70,000 thoughts a day, and a recent study suggests that 98% of them are the same. This implies your inner critic is a habit — a habit you can break and change.

Start by taking notes of repetitive thought patterns and commit to changing your mindset. When your inner doubts start to wash over you, be quick. Don’t let the negative chitter chatter get out of control. Instead, talk back to that doubtful part of yourself.

Make a daily effort to immediately replace any negative thought with positive ones. In your mind, say or shout something like:

“No, no, no, we are not going down that road again”.

By doing so you can disrupt the thought pattern and stop it from taking over.

4. Raise your self-awareness

Self-awareness is a powerful personal development tool. Make use of it by understanding your self-doubt. Are there specific situations which trigger feelings of self-doubt?

If it’s a lack of skill in an area, resolve to do something about it. For example, it may be a fear of talking about your art in public. Or it may be the thought of having to send your work to galleries that is giving you anxiety. You can learn anything. Go out there and get the training you need or get a coach to help you.

5. Be your number one fan, not your own worst critic

When your inner voices tell you that you are not talented enough you start to believe it. You wonder if being an artist is something special some lucky people are born with.

But the way you think about yourself is crucial — it determines what you say, think and feel. If you think of yourself as a happy, confident, creative artist, you will be one.

And so will everybody else. The same is true about your work. If you see yourself as somebody who has a creative spark, then you will.

Do you fully embrace the artist you are?

It took me a long time before I said, “I am an artist”, even though I knew I was one for many years.

I was working full time for a large company whilst studying for my art degree. I continued with this job after I had finished my studies. I was a real artist during all this time, yet I did not see it like this at the time. Even though I was very productive I felt I needed to sustain myself from my art before I could consider myself as a real artist.

Real artists come in all different shape and sizes. Many real artists have day jobs, night jobs or part-time jobs. They lead busy lives with a family to look after and they do things other than art in their lives. The difference is that a real artist will always make time to create art. It is something they must do, it’s something that has to get out from inside of them.

6. Talk about it

Often situations that feel difficult when you’re at the centre of them can feel extraordinarily simple to someone a little further afield.

If there is an issue you are struggling with it is normal not to see clearly. Stepping away from the problem can be a useful way to explore new thinking and a new approach.

Don’t keep your negative thoughts to yourself.

They can become distorted, blown out of proportion and removed from reality.

Often, by saying them out loud or writing them down you’ll notice how exaggerated they have become.

If you’re pulled into negative thoughts stemming from past experiences or comments from others, staying present is key.

Talk about your doubts with someone supportive — it can help you get a change in perspective.

7. Embrace failure

In trying to always avoid failure we seem to have created a culture in which failure is not permitted.

People who never fail don’t end up with more self-confidence than people who stumble along the way.

If we never fail, what’s the point in learning?

Failure is the best incentive to learn — trip up and then go one better. It also teaches us that persistence pays off and that we can raise ourselves up by our efforts.

Keep in mind that people don’t care that much about what you do.

happy girl without self doubt

I found this realisation so liberating. Next time when you worry about what others think remind yourself that people don’t care that much about what you do or do not do.

People are far too busy thinking about themselves. They worry about their kids and pets, jobs and upcoming projects. So, stop wasting time worrying about what people may think of you or your artwork.

Trust yourself, use what you have inside to create

We all experience worry and confusion in the face of change and uncertainty. It’s normal to be afraid.

Our inner critic will always speak up anytime we try to do big things, no matter how positive we try to be. Hearing the voice of your inner critic can mean you’re about to do something brave and important to you.

Imagine what it would feel like if you could trust yourself to ignore any internal shit-storm bubbling up inside you.

You would be free to pursue your artistic calling and spend time doing what you love.

With the right attitude and approach, you can bring any goal into being; it’s all a matter of perspective.

So, it’s time to start viewing your emotions — the “good” and the “bad”– for what they are: your greatest strength and most valuable tool.

Imagine how you would feel if you’d approached tricky situations with a different attitude.

You would be moving forward and flourish despite any fear or doubts.

You would be on your way to becoming the artist you want to be.

You would be excited about the opportunities ahead of you.

So pick your favourite strategies from the ones I’ve given you and start using them.

You may as well start now. Now is a good time as any.

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