Let’s Talk About Self-Sabotage

Being an artist is a deeply rewarding yet often challenging journey. As creative beings, we develop and hone our unique talents and have a world of imagination within us, but sometimes, our worst enemy, and biggest obstacle in letting our creation bubble out of us, can be ourselves. Self-sabotage, in the form of doubt, procrastination, and negative self-talk, can hinder your artistic progress. So, in this blog post I’m gonna get pretty real with you about how I deal (and honestly sometimes don’t deal) with self-sabotage,  to help you conquer the beast and thrive as an artist.

1. Acknowledge Your Self-Sabotaging Behaviors

The first step in overcoming self-sabotage (or anything, really) is to recognize and acknowledge when you're engaging in self-destructive behaviors. These can take various forms, from procrastination to perfectionism. Awareness is the key to change, so take a moment to reflect on the habits and thoughts that hold you back.

2. Understand Your Fear

Fear is often at the core of self-sabotage. It might be fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, or even fear of vulnerability. Identifying the specific fear that's driving your self-sabotage can help you address it head-on. By understanding the root cause of your fears, you can begin to overcome them.

3. Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself. As an artist, you're your own worst critic. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion. Understand that mistakes and setbacks are part of the creative process. Treat yourself as you would a friend or loved one, offering support and encouragement rather than judgment. Or better yet, treat yourself as kid-you. Talk to yourself as you would talk to a child, giving grace and encouragement.

4. Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable, realistic goals can help you stay motivated and reduce the fear of failure. Break down your larger artistic ambitions into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how minor they may seem.

5. Challenge Negative Thoughts

Negative self-talk is a major contributor to self-sabotage. Challenge those destructive thoughts by reframing them. Instead of saying, "I'll never be as good as *insert current favorite instagram account*," remind yourself that everyone starts somewhere, and your journey is uniquely yours. 

6. Establish a Routine

A consistent creative routine can help you combat procrastination. Set aside dedicated time for your art, and treat it as seriously as you would a job, especially if you’re trying to turn your art into a money-making business. This structure can help you stay on track and reduce the temptation to self-sabotage. I schedule 3 days of pottery for myself. No matter what I’m doing in life, I know that for those 3 days a week, I can get into the studio. And I don’t have to be in there the entire day. I just have to create something; big or small.

One thing my sister taught me to do was to make a checklist in the morning of things I want to accomplish that day. First, I will write down three things that I want to accomplish for my pottery/business. This could be throwing, hand building, glazing, or the business side of it, such as blogging, organizing my studio, going to the bank, etc. Then, I write three things I want to accomplish for my personal life; clean my house, catch up on laundry, etc. When I felt super overwhelmed with juggling all of the things, doing this really helped me to not let pottery fall to the back burner. 

7. Seek Support and Feedback

Don't go through your artistic journey alone. Seek support from fellow artists, mentors, or good ‘ol social media. Sharing your struggles and receiving constructive feedback and support can provide fresh perspectives and encouragement. 

8. Embrace Imperfection

This one's a doozy for me, personally. Perfectionism can paralyze your creativity. Embrace the idea that your art doesn't have to be flawless. In fact, imperfections can give your work character and make it unique. Allow yourself to take risks and make mistakes. 

9. Stay Inspired

Surround yourself with inspiration. Visit art galleries, read books, explore new techniques, and expose yourself to various forms of art. Inspiration can reignite your passion and motivation.

10. Remember Your Why

Always remind yourself why you chose to be an artist. Reconnect with your passion and the joy that creating brings you. This purpose can be a powerful motivator and a shield against self-sabotage.

Self-sabotage is a common challenge for artists, but it's not insurmountable. By recognizing self-sabotaging behaviors, understanding your fears, and taking even the smallest steps each day towards your goals, you can overcome self-sabotage and unleash your full creative potential. I mean, I’m sure you can. I’m still on that journey. I’m guessing it’ll be a life-long thing, but I’ll check back in with ya to let you know how it's going. Remember, you have a unique voice and vision as an artist, and the world is waiting to see it shine (this is me telling this to me just as much as I am telling this to you).