Ideas die when you let fear steer the pen instead of your heart.
Ego and the need for external validation are surefire ways to kill your creations before they’ve even been born into the world. Writers, artists, creators of all kind tend to suffer the same affliction: crippling self doubt and imposter syndrome – myself included!
Fear of being seen and being rejected are two of the main reasons many creatives never bring their ideas into being. The sheer terror of laying bare your most vulnerable parts and inviting the potential for criticism, contempt, or worse – that empty void of sending your work out and getting zero response.
Creatives need to have thick skin and resilience. What you create isn’t going to appeal to everyone – and that’s OK! Create from the heart and follow your unique brand of creativity and you’ll be on the right path.
Creativity isn’t some ethereal talent that the gifted few are blessed with – I firmly believe that everyone can tap into their own source of creativity, the creative essence that lies within us all, waiting to be heard, seen, felt, and nurtured.
Being creative in a world that praises conformity is courageous. Listening to and acting upon your creative calling – whether that’s singing, dancing, crafting, writing, painting, model making – is a defiant act in a society that encourages jumping through hoops and fitting into boxes.
Fear is the biggest barrier to your creativity. Find the courage to write and create, whenever you can, and let your ideas flow onto the page without trying to edit or filter them.
Don’t be afraid to let your ideas out – let your writing be raw, messy, vulnerable, mediocre…the magic happens when you edit and shape this later on!
Happy writing!
Melissa Brannlund 