For the perfectionist:Free write about your fears

Perfectionism is a self destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimize the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame. —Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

As a struggling perfectionist, I know all too well what 'frozen in fear' means on a practical level. It's awful. My particular form of perfectionism happens to be rooted in a desire to avoid mistakes or errors that could result in feeling/appearing like a failure. Unfortunately, if you are anything like me, you've got a hefty dose of fear waiting in the wings for the right time to strike.

So, let's be proactive and tackle the fears before they affect our art. The best way to do this is by writing down all your fears and why you have them. Freewriting your fears doesn't have to be about your art. You can write about anything that scares you; the macro and micro-level concerns associated with any aspect of your life. Because the truth is, most of the time, your fears are rooted in something that has absolutely nothing to do with the act of creating art, and it's about something more profound.

Not to get too psychoanalytic here, but fears are a huge block to your creativity, and getting them out on paper can positively affect how those fears impact your life, not just your art. Sometimes, seeing your fears written on a page can make you feel silly, but emptying your mind and regularly filling the page is a game-changer for your art practice. I free write my fears when:

• I am beginning a new series.

• I am feeling stuck or blocked.

• I am sketching or playing with color combinations. I find I often have a fear of 'I can't pull that off' when challenging my palette choices.

• I am collecting inspiration for a new series. I like to include how the inspiration makes me feel, and sometimes it's fear, the fear that I won't be as good as what inspires me.

• I have been away from creating for an extended period.

• I meet new artists who inspire me.

• I am exhibiting or showing my art in a local venue, which is a massive trigger for me. It feels similar to public speaking 🤢.

Learning your perfectionist triggers and tendencies can improve your art practice and help you incorporate ways to deal with the fear throughout your process, nipping any limitations in your ability to fulfill your creative potential.

It does take time, consistency, and mindfulness, but it will help you level up your creative output over time.