Overcoming the FEAR of CREATING
How to manage the fear of creating and get unstuck!
Feeling Stuck as an Artist: How to Overcome the Fear of Creating
I’ll never forget the day when my daughter was just three years old. She sat down with a blank sheet of paper, confidently drew a single line, and then burst into tears. For the next 45 minutes, she cried inconsolably because that line wasn’t “right.” At such a young age, she was already experiencing what many of us artists face daily—the fear of failure, the frustration of not getting things perfect, and the overwhelming sense of being stuck.
This experience reminded me that you can feel stuck as an artist at any age. Whether you're three years old or thirty-three, the fear of not meeting your own expectations can feel paralyzing. I, too, spent years feeling creatively blocked before deciding to attend art academy at age 34. The decision was one of the best I ever made, but even today, I find myself stuck if I haven’t created in a while. It’s almost as if the longer I go without making art, the harder it becomes to start again.
The Fear of Judgment: By Others and Yourself
One of the greatest obstacles to creativity is the fear of judgment—both from others and from yourself. This inner critic is always lurking, ready to pounce the moment you make a mistake.
The worst part? It convinces you that not creating at all is better than creating something imperfect.
I’ve struggled with this myself. The fear of being judged for what I create (or don’t create) is powerful. I often find myself stuck in this mental loop, thinking I’m not good enough, or my work isn’t “ready.” Even though I’ve been creating art for years, this fear never completely goes away. It’s something I have to actively work through, and I want to share with you some small steps I take to overcome it.
Overcoming the Fear: Small Hacks and Steps
The key to breaking through this stuck feeling is taking small, manageable steps. You don’t need to create a masterpiece every time you sit down to work. In fact, the opposite is true. The more you focus on the act of creating rather than the outcome, the easier it becomes to keep moving forward. Start small, and allow yourself to experiment. Here are some tiny hacks that have helped me get out of creative ruts:
- Don’t wait for inspiration—set a timer for 2 minutes.
Inspiration often strikes when you start working, not before. When feeling stuck, I set a timer for just 2 minutes and begin creating. It’s a low-pressure way to get started, and usually, once those 2 minutes are up, I’m ready to keep going. Do it every day!
- Designate a small format for a "sketchbook of mistakes." This space is just for experimenting, scribbling, and making mistakes without worrying about the outcome. The small size makes it less intimidating and helps you focus on the process rather than the product.
- Read "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.
Julia Cameron’s book is a treasure trove of wisdom and compassion for creatives. It offers practical exercises and insightful reflections that can help you reconnect with your creativity and overcome self-doubt. The gentle approach and supportive tone can be incredibly motivating and reassuring.
As Henri Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage.” So take the courage to begin, even if it's just with a single line on a blank page. The most important thing is to keep moving. Even if you’re crying over a line on a piece of paper, you’re still creating. And that’s what matters.
