Ah that inner critic. Definitely fire her. I have one too, and I have to put her voices, the ones that tell me that my art is no good, on hold. Not an easy task.
As you know, it's so important to love what we do, and I admire your versatility in art -- crocheting, painting, throwing clay, etc. Your work is beautiful and hang in there through your current process. I remember you writing about how this is so nerve-wracking.
I so hope for peace in this world. I also miss the days when I could just read for hours.
Thank you, Beth. Yes, that inner critic has got to go! But how to do it is the big question, right? What is your strategy?
Yes, it’s so very important to love what we do and let ourselves explore art. What different worlds each media shows us, right? Each one is a new world , sometimes easy, sometimes bumpy but always worth the trip. Even if I throw it out and let it go, the process stays and helps anyway.
I hope for peace and a clearing of the air around us all. Maybe reading for hours is just the thing we need right now. What do you think?
You are so very right that each medium shows us different worlds. Absolutely true. I love your insightful comment that, "Each one is a new world , sometimes easy, sometimes bumpy but always worth the trip." Whether the trip is easy or challenging, it is worth it, for sure.
In terms of my strategy for quieting my inner critic, I try to keep myself so busy that I don't think about how good or not so good my art is. Easier said than done, though. Sometimes I really am consumed by doubts, but I try to tell myself, "Yes, I acknowledge my doubts, but I still need to create in the world." I think it's acceptable to acknowledge and accept our doubts without letting us destroy our impulse to create.
In terms of reading for hours, I couldn't agree more. I love to read also. Reading is a wonderful distraction from our inner critic and the world's problems.
Yes, I know the ‘busy busy bee’ tactic well. Done it my whole life! And it does work, just so long as we don’t wear ourselves out. But maybe the solution to that is to read for a few hours, let ourselves enjoy the world of words. New strategy: when in doubt, read?
Keep doing it! It is your joie de vivre, and you need more of it, not less. I admire your work and your willingness to keep going on despite that noisy inner critic. As Liz Gilbert says, she's allowed in the car but can't grab the wheel.
Your art definitely helps me see what you love! Art not only saves you, in its own way, it will save the world.
I love your art and wish you all the luck in the world with sales. Good for you for filling out those applications! And yes, my inner critic is a nasty bitch too. I love your line saying you should fire her. Ditto to that!
Keep creating, my friend. You're helping to save the world. Seriously, you are. Oh, and those cookies - yum! I would like one please.
Thank you, Nancy. I agree: more art in the world will save us! Let’s keep it flowing here as much as we can.
Yes, let’s fire our inner critics! We don’t need any more toxic negativity, right?
The cookies are my husband’s variation of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. He’s using Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread instead of peanut butter. They are delicious. Wish I could send a few to you over Substack.
Let’s all keep creating more and more! I appreciate you!
Hi Susan,
I love what I see from you.
Ah that inner critic. Definitely fire her. I have one too, and I have to put her voices, the ones that tell me that my art is no good, on hold. Not an easy task.
As you know, it's so important to love what we do, and I admire your versatility in art -- crocheting, painting, throwing clay, etc. Your work is beautiful and hang in there through your current process. I remember you writing about how this is so nerve-wracking.
I so hope for peace in this world. I also miss the days when I could just read for hours.
Thank you, Beth. Yes, that inner critic has got to go! But how to do it is the big question, right? What is your strategy?
Yes, it’s so very important to love what we do and let ourselves explore art. What different worlds each media shows us, right? Each one is a new world , sometimes easy, sometimes bumpy but always worth the trip. Even if I throw it out and let it go, the process stays and helps anyway.
I hope for peace and a clearing of the air around us all. Maybe reading for hours is just the thing we need right now. What do you think?
You are so very right that each medium shows us different worlds. Absolutely true. I love your insightful comment that, "Each one is a new world , sometimes easy, sometimes bumpy but always worth the trip." Whether the trip is easy or challenging, it is worth it, for sure.
In terms of my strategy for quieting my inner critic, I try to keep myself so busy that I don't think about how good or not so good my art is. Easier said than done, though. Sometimes I really am consumed by doubts, but I try to tell myself, "Yes, I acknowledge my doubts, but I still need to create in the world." I think it's acceptable to acknowledge and accept our doubts without letting us destroy our impulse to create.
In terms of reading for hours, I couldn't agree more. I love to read also. Reading is a wonderful distraction from our inner critic and the world's problems.
Yes, I know the ‘busy busy bee’ tactic well. Done it my whole life! And it does work, just so long as we don’t wear ourselves out. But maybe the solution to that is to read for a few hours, let ourselves enjoy the world of words. New strategy: when in doubt, read?
Absolutely!
Keep doing it! It is your joie de vivre, and you need more of it, not less. I admire your work and your willingness to keep going on despite that noisy inner critic. As Liz Gilbert says, she's allowed in the car but can't grab the wheel.
Love this quote! Thanks!!
Hi Susan,
Your art definitely helps me see what you love! Art not only saves you, in its own way, it will save the world.
I love your art and wish you all the luck in the world with sales. Good for you for filling out those applications! And yes, my inner critic is a nasty bitch too. I love your line saying you should fire her. Ditto to that!
Keep creating, my friend. You're helping to save the world. Seriously, you are. Oh, and those cookies - yum! I would like one please.
Thank you, Nancy. I agree: more art in the world will save us! Let’s keep it flowing here as much as we can.
Yes, let’s fire our inner critics! We don’t need any more toxic negativity, right?
The cookies are my husband’s variation of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. He’s using Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread instead of peanut butter. They are delicious. Wish I could send a few to you over Substack.
Let’s all keep creating more and more! I appreciate you!
That looks awesome! I feel calmer in my body just looking at it.
Thank you for sharing this. :)
I’m so glad my art helped your body feel calmer! Maybe that’s what we all need right now, more true art to calm us.
This was delightful. Love your work!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!