Artistic Confidence - Why Does It Haunt Us?

We have all doubted ourselves and or our abilities at one time or another in our lives, some more than others. I am here to tell you that I am guilty of doing this one more than one occasion. I would be lying if I told you that I don’t go through bouts or spurts of self doubt in my abilities as an artist.

I was having one of those moments recently and happened to be speaking with a fellow photographer/friend about it at the time. She told me straight up, “you have got to let that shit go, it’s going to block your future!” Why is it, some photographers/artists are their own worst critic? Why do we artists do this to ourselves? I am surely not the first, only and certainly won’t be the last to do this to myself.

When I do have these flashes of uncertainty, sometimes it’s hard to overcome but I just persevere and have a little chat with myself or I reach out to friends, fellow artists and talk it through. Occasionally I look back at my work and the positive feedback that I have received and that helps get my mind straight and get my head back in the game, back in a good place, where my work is concerned.

Lack of confidence can damage the creative spirit and career before things even get off the ground. Don’t self sabotage! Keep your head up and your eyes on the prize. You WILL overcome those moments when they do rear their ugly heads.

Image courtesy of skinnydreamingblogspot.com