I often receive this question on my Pinterest, and I have wanted to write more about how to deal with a doubting environment as a creative for so long, but I am finally finding time to sit down and share my honest thoughts with you.
Growing up in an environment where art was never considered a “real career,” I have faced different forms of doubts. Sometimes, people have loved my art but pitied the fact that it could go nowhere, so they shared their doubts in an attempt to reshape my vision to a more realistic perspective. In other cases, people just considered my art as an aesthetic experience and not anything of “real additional value.”
Whatever the intention, being creative in a doubting environment is hindering and will eventually disturb your energy and affect the way you perceive your art. Therefore, here is how I personally deal with a doubting environment.
1. Reduce contact
I know you might be thinking that someone is showing doubts because they are concerned about you and what you do with your life but that should never be the case. You are an adult who has the right to live your life the way you see fit. No one is allowed to micromanage you. Not your family, not your friends, not your partner, not your boss—no one.
When I come out of a conversation with someone who showed the slightest doubt in me, I make sure that conversation is the last! No more meetings, no more calls, no more texts. If you absolutely have to talk to them again (you live together, they are providing for you, and they are your parents), limit your conversations with them until you plan your way out. Don’t let their doubts sync into your mind. Don’t give them access to details about you and your goals and plans. Otherwise, you will be stuck and will have to disassociate every time, which is bad for your mental health.
2. Reflect
Once they spend time in a doubting environment, some creatives will tend to absorb the energy around them and will adopt the ideas of others, which will lead to self-doubt instead of just being in a doubting environment. So reflecting now and then is very necessary for your growth as a creative. Use your journaling sessions to ask yourself questions such as:
- Did the words of others affect your energy towards your art?
- Are you adopting your environment’s vision of you?
- Could it be easy to cut contact with those who doubt you?
- How does it feel after cutting contact?
3. Learn to say “no.”
Whoever doubts you and your creative vision or tries to make you doubt yourself is not worthy of having access to you and your time. Say no to their plans that include you.
You don’t need people who don’t respect you or align with your vision of your future self to include you in their future plans. I know it is easier said than done, but you have to protect your time, energy, and personal space against all doubts if you want to take your art or creative endeavor seriously.
Conclusion
I know these might be a little too direct, a little too harsh, and not doable in many situations. But you need to be a tiny bit selfish and focused in doubting environments if you are willing to thrive. You need to believe in yourself and your delusions a little too much if you are willing to go somewhere. In all cases, stay safe and enjoy creating <3
