Why learning a new creative skill can trigger overwhelm & self-doubt
Have you ever tried learning a new creative skill only to end up overwhelmed, stuck in full of self-doubt? You are not alone! After 10 plus years in the creative industry, I have seen how curiosity turns into burnout because we are taught to chase results, not joy.
In this episode, I'm unpacking three common obstacles that creative beginners face and what we can do instead to release perfectionism and reconnect with creativity in a way that actually feels good. So grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and keep reading.
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When Curiosity Turns Into Fear
Let me tell you a little bit about what inspired this episode. I was on my YouTube as I typically do when I saw a video that was recommended to me about creative nonfiction writing. Mind you, I've been curious about creative writing for a long time. So this is something that 's been in the back of my mind and I was super excited to learn more about this.
I watched the video and afterwards I felt super compelled to write. I felt like I was reminded of why I love writing, why I love communication, and just what an awesome creative outlet writing can be to express myself.
Following this excitement, I wanted to see if I could turn some of my journal entries into more polished, personal snippets of life— personal observations, maybe a personal essay, or even the beginnings of a memoir.
And like many of us do, I started to research even more. I went online and started looking up articles, videos, and online courses on creative writing. By the end of it all, I felt exhausted! The initial excitement that I felt was replaced by a sense of fear, overwhelm, and self-doubt,
In my mind, I kept repeating thoughts like, “am I too old? Am I too late? Am I too unqualified to call myself a writer?” Can you relate?
It was this precise moment that reminded me what it's like to be a beginner. When you don't know what you don't know… More importantly, what a pivotal time this is in our learning journey as creatives and how this can either set us up for success or hold us back for a long time. So, let's talk about why this happens.
Common Obstacles that Get in the Way of Learning a New Skill
There are three main obstacles that get in the way of learning a new creative skill:
Our nature as deep and sensitive feelers.
This is because we tend to absorb the energy (vibes) around us, especially in creative and learning spaces. We can sense the unspoken expectations, unspoken rules, pressure, competitiveness, and perfectionism.But if you're multi-passionate like me, you need time and space for low pressure experimentation. Space to try things out without feeling like you have to commit to it forever or like you have to have it all figured out from the get go.
But no one tells us this. Instead, everyone acts like they have it all figured out, like everyone knows exactly what they're doing. However, for us it's okay and even necessary to approach things differently to accommodate our personality type.
The noise of the online space.
Nowadays, when we are excited about learning something new, the first place that we turn to is the internet. This space is so loud and noisy. There is so much content out there, so many voices. Everyone seems like an expert and when you're new to something, it's really hard to know what's actually helpful in what's just noise.Before you even get started, you’re already feeling tired and discouraged. The little spark that got you started in the first place, starts to dim. This isn’t because you didn't try hard, aren’t creative or talented enough, but simply because of the way that we have been taught to consume information (which can be so overwhelming). We end up using most of our energy just trying to sift through information. This approach isn’t built for people like you and I.
Perfectionism and the pressure to monetize our joy.
Here's the thing, we live in a world where it seems like everything that brings us joy has to become a business.For example:
- Are you into writing? Write a best seller book.
- Are you into coaching? Build a six figure business.
- Are you into crocheting? Start an Etsy shop.
This creates so much unnecessary pressure. Suddenly you can't just try something, you have to be good at it right from the get go and fast! You’re not allowed to be a beginner.But here's the truth: it's okay to be a beginner. It's okay to be messy, and it's more than okay to simply do something because it brings you joy!
What To Do Instead
So, now that you’re aware of these obstacles, what can you do instead?
Well, let me share a reminder with you. I hope that you use this as your North star moving forward.
The joy of creating needs to come first, not the perfectionism, not the productivity, not the performing, just joy!
Next, let me share with you a few more things that I do to keep the joy alive, which you can also implement in your own creative practice:
Let yourself research for fun, no pressure to follow through. As neurodivergent and multi-passionate people like you and I, going down rabbit holes and learning about niche interests is half the fun. This is something that gives us a lot of satisfaction, happiness, and fun. So, don't stop doing this!
Do things wrong on purpose. Seriously, get the awkwardness out of your system as soon as possible. Because fear of making mistakes will only turn into creative resistance and it's only gonna hold you back.
For example: I have talked about my own experience creating ugly art as a way of reclaiming my creative practice. When I started to do this, I started to have more fun. I was more experimental and less afraid of what people would think. This is because I was focused on what I was doing, my own creative process, and simply having fun.
Keep your work private (if you want). Not everything has to be seen. This allows you to keep things low pressure, build a relationship with your own creativity, and hear your own creative voice, instead of worrying about what other people think or what they expect from you.
Remember, you don't have to share everything with the world. There are things that you get to keep private and sacred!
Follow your curiosity, not your fear. As I have been alluding throughout this post, the creative and online spaces are filled with fear. This is clear in the competitiveness of it all, the scarcity mindset that many creatives carry, and the struggle for attention and validation running rampant across the board.
For many people, fear can be a powerful motivator but this isn't sustainable for the long term. This is why I believe that a better strategy is to lean into our curiosity and our joy instead of fear. Because this will help you to keep showing up and doing the work required for us to get good.
So, write this down, put it on a sticky note, on your wall where you can see it:
Joy first, pressure last!
Key Takeaway
You don't need to know everything before you can start.
You don't have to be perfect.
You don't have to monetize your joy.
The whole point of creativity is that you grow and learn about yourself. And, you're only gonna gain this clarity by doing, by creating.
So start today. Start messy. Start YOUR way. Your creativity is valid, even if it's imperfect.
Renata is a creativity coach empowering neurodivergent and multi-passionate women of color, to use creativity as a tool for self-discovery and healing, so they can let go of feeling inadequate and insecure and start experiencing more confidence and self-acceptance. She’s currently offering a free copy of her therapeutic art making workbook when you sign up for her email list. Sign up here to get your free copy.
