Overcoming Creative Block
Share
The Founder: Let’s talk about 'Overcoming Creative Block and the Fear of Judgment.'
We've all been there. Staring at a blank screen, page or canvas, feeling stuck. Creative block can be frustrating, and often, it's accompanied by the fear of judgment. What if what I create isn't good enough? What if others don't understand or appreciate it?
First, let's acknowledge that these feelings are normal. Every creator faces them. The key is to remember that creativity is a journey, not a destination.
Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said, 'Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.' This resonates deeply when we think about creativity. Our fear of judgment is often the fear of freedom—of stepping into the unknown and expressing ourselves authentically. Like what I am doing right now, talking about this for the first time in social media. I am stepping into my fear of talking in public, talking to people I do not know personally, expressing my thoughts with honesty and transparency.
In Buddhism, there's a practice of 'non-attachment.' It teaches us to let go of the outcome and focus on the process. When we detach from the need for approval, we free ourselves to create from a place of joy and authenticity.
Here's a personal example: I used to fear that both my creative work and my accent speaking in English would be judged harshly. But I realized that the judgment I feared most was my own. I started practicing self-compassion, allowing myself to create without the pressure of perfection.
Poet Mary Oliver wrote, 'You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.' This reminds us that our creative expression doesn't need to meet any external standard. It just needs to be true to us.
Actually, this whole process led me to create something new. I’ve just launched a new line of velvet cardigans called 'Courage Cardigans.' There are 14 different fabrics with unique patterns, all in stretch velvet. This collection is a result of me implementing the thoughts and teachings I’m sharing with you today. It’s my way of embracing creativity and facing the fear of judgment head-on.
So, when you face a creative block, embrace it as part of your journey. When you fear judgment, remind yourself that the only opinion that truly matters is your own.
Thank you for joining me today. Stay tuned for more posts of Wise and Lucid thoughts. Let's continue to explore and create fearlessly.