Hey, you know how you feel like you have to show up with it all together all the time. Repeat after me, THIS IS UNREALISTIC & UNACHIEVABLE. Go ahead and make peace with it (*ahem, I’m looking at me) Yet, for some reason, it has been inundated in us that we can’t show up until the packaging is wrapped seamlessly and flawlessly —specifically when it comes to living creatively. But you know, that’s silly, and let me tell you something, you can show up anyway.
“You do not need anybody’s permission to live a creative life.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
How many times have you missed out because you felt like what you had to bring to the table wasn’t good enough? What opportunities have you stolen for yourself, and what kind of lies have come from it?
But most importantly, what has God tried to give you for you to enjoy, use for a greater purpose, and radiate joy – only to shove it back to Him like a child that thought their sibling was given a bigger piece of cake – because you thought a better version was needed, especially if you ever intended to share it with others? I mean, you do need a bigger peice of cake to share right? LOL, WRONG. And sadly, I’ve been that ungrateful child too many times than I wish to count.
GUILTYYYYYY
I don’t even have to go that far to give a prime example. EXHIBIT A: This blog… yeah, this one…I stopped writing for public use because I didn’t feel like what I had to say was good enough (I also don’t love its vulnerability, it’s gross sometimes). I so badly wanted it to take off and be something I see from other people (HI THERE COMPARISON) that it became more comfortable not to try anymore. I was like, “Hey God, thanks for giving me the love for writing, but I don’t think it’s good enough, so I think I’ll stop and maybe start again, but if I do start again, I won’t be sharing it.”
RUDE
Thank God for his kind and patient heart towards me. I’m thankful it’s not in his character to respond with, “Oh well then, missed your chance…taking this gift back since you don’t plan to use it.” I mean, I would understand if He did, but the God I know is so much better than that.
And you know what? If you love to do something like paint, sing, draw, dance, write, build things, make YouTube videos, run, whatever, and you may not have a knack for it? WHO CARES, DO IT ANYWAY! Who’s to say that what you enjoy doing isn’t good? That girl from middle school (c’mon you remember her), that (probably hurting) internet troll, the teacher who said you’d never master that skill, your critical inner voice? Okay, you can shut all that down, sis, because if you love to do something, show up. Write anyway, run down your street red-faced and all anyway, dance at that wedding anyway, draw, create, whatever, do it anyway!
Have you missed an event because you didn’t think you had the right clothes? Like maybe they weren’t trendy enough, or you felt your body wasn’t fit enough. What about that time you shared something you did and felt proud to share it with someone you look up to and they totally didn’t react they way you hoped they might? Perhaps you decide it’s time to try that thing again or start a new hobby you might like to share, but then remembered that time someone made you feel less-than, and your insecurity determined the worst action we can have — inaction. Inaction is the worse thing you can do. When you decide that creative living isn’t for you, a part of you begins to wilt away, and one day you’ll wake up depressed and wonder how you got there. The irony of thinking we’re protecting ourselves when we’re killing part of ourselves is the true tragedy we have to start recognizing. Clean out your excuse closet and name the lies, expose your insecurities and people-pleasing tendencies, and show up anyway.
“Through the mere act of creating something—anything—you might inadvertently produce work that is magnificent, eternal, or important.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
Here are 5 ways to show up when fear tells you to step down:
1. STOP
What if we show up anyway? We can set aside our insecurities, lies, hurtful comments, and fear and show up. There isn’t much to this one- we just have to stop obsessing over all the excuses that tell us not to live creatively.
2. DON’T OVERTHINK IT
If you love to be creative in some way, shape, or form, enjoy your craft, remember, you can enjoy it even if a societal standard thinks you could be better. Who cares? If you want to go somewhere or do something but worry you don’t have what it takes to add up, throw on what you feel confident in, stand tall, believe in yourself for once, and just do the thing.
3. FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT
Have you ever heard the advice of smiling to yourself when you’re in a bad mood or during a bad day? It works. Try it. The science behind it is fascinating. So, if you need to pretend like you are unphased by your insecurities, that’s fine. You’ve already got it in you, so if you have to fool those lies into truth, then act like you got it, and soon you will realize you’ve had it the whole time. If you’re going to lie to yourself, why don’t you manipulate your insecurity into believing the truth – you are capable and have been capable the whole time.
4. DON’T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY
Have fun! I mean, yes, you should always be working on your craft and stuff, but don’t be too hard on yourself in your creative outlet or when you don’t feel like you are quite ready to show up. You showed up, and sometimes that in and of itself should be applauded. Perspective is key, and remembering life is short and needs to be lived should always be the lens to filter our fears through.
5. DO YOUR BEST & LEAVE THE REST
Listen, do your best. Always strive to maximize what you’ve got, but if you’ve done your best (and you know that), hang your hat and take the good and learn from the not-so-good, then LEAVE THE REST and…
SHOW UP ANYWAY
Jamie Lynn Wassum says
Oh my heart. I needed this. Love you Sunnie!
Sunnie Cotton says
That makes my heart so happy! Love you, Jamie! Thank you for your comment 😘