Create, create, create
The fear of the unknown, in my experience, is a major cause of self-doubt. As a result, the more you create and the more you explore your creative side, the less “unknown” there will be for you. Self-doubt fades with time and experience because the more you learn about yourself, your work, your field, and your limitations, the less room there is for worries about whether you’re good enough or doing things correctly.
To get over periods of self-doubt, especially during those times when you might not feel like creating, stay committed to creating regularly.
Some people do this by joining a design challenge (like The Daily Logo Challenge or 36 Days of Type) so that they have a regular reason to create in addition to a community that is encouraging and supportive.
Occasionally, regular creation means setting a personal goal – like 5 minutes a day or a maximum of one illustration a week. Even just a little bit of creation is progress!
Use the fear to your advantage
I can’t be the only one who has left projects until the last minute. Have you ever fully planned something out in your head and then executed it within half the time it usually takes? I don’t recommend this as a habitual practice but the way I procrastinate has taught me one thing: a looming deadline, the fear of letting people down has led me to some of my best work.
Getting the right environment for “fun” fear is the key. Find ways to control how fear of the unknown is experienced. Make small steps towards things that scare you, and keep going.
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Afraid to try custom lettering? Start by trying an ampersand!
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Afraid to try blogging? Start by creating an outline!
- Feel weird in front of a camera? Record yourself talking to your phone with your front camera to get use to seeing your face on screen! Or get a friend who you love talking to and record a video call.
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Afraid to start a logo? Start by doodling shapes you find soothing! Trace logos you really like!
Celebrate and build small wins
Every time we do the thing (and win at it) we move a little further away from that voice of self-doubt. Figure out what motivates you. What feels like a win? And then do more of that.
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If you love positive feedback from friends, send your work to people you know are going to love it.
- Are you enjoying a new show? Why not reward yourself with a completed task by watching one of the episodes?
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Do you enjoy feedback on your progress pieces? Join an online community where you can get feedback from other creatives!
Share your work
Start sharing your work publicly. I know. I KNOW. THIS TRIPS ME UP TOO. Try sharing incognito. Create an anonymous instagram, tiktok, facebook…whatever social media you like and share your work behind the safety of a pseudonym. It’s important to attack any imposter syndrome feelings you may experience head on by fearlessly sharing your work.
Unplug!
Honestly, sitting for countless hours in front of a computer and/or spending hours doomscrolling (believe me I’m guilty of it too) is not just bad for your health It’s also creativity killer. The more you stare at what you create or what you wish you could create the less objective you become, the more you can get in your head, and the more likely you can let anxiety freeze seep in, and the less you end up doing what you actually need to be doing: creating. Don’t let your work or other people’s work paralyze you. Step away, take a walk, pet your dog, strettttttch. Here are other ways I try to achieve a state of unplug-edness for a bit…
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Build in some time to rest and actually enjoy the break. Block your calendar, turn your notifications off and make it part of your daily and weekly schedule.
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Hire through your network to take on tasks that you can get them off your plate. I hired and friend to do my invoicing and admin tasks and she’s amazing. (hi Christine!!)
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Inspiration is great but sometimes it can be unhealthy to scroll through the work of other people that makes us anxious. Pause the inspo scrolling during your time away from the computer. And take it easy on the Tiky Toks.
- Schedule regular screen-free periods—whether it’s an hour each evening or a full day on the weekend.
- Do something with your hands!! Cook, clean, sketch, workout, color, paint, sculpt, play with play with play-doh (my personal fave). Just. Get. Off. Your. Phone.
- Get a hobby. Literally, any hobby! I don’t care if it’s writing smut fan-ficition about boy bands from the 90s or adult furry artwork (I literally know two people who took these hobbies and turned them into their main income streams). Just find a hobby you enjoy and do it for fun, you never know, it could end up being a side hustle later but HAVE FUN.
- End your evening with at least one hour of screen-free time before bed