Creating would be so much easier and more full of fun if we would only let it be. But creating is fun, isn’t it? Yes if we allow it to be. However most of us don’t practice the art of allowing our creativity to fully express. Most of us ponder should we do it this way or that?

Most of us at some point succumb to the strong voice of the inner critic. Why do we do this? Practice makes perfect or in this case imperfect. Where do these voices come from? Many places: childhood, family, school, media, to name a few.   These voices have been internalized from external messages we have received over time.

Many times we recognize these voices as discouraging and we push them away or try to ignore them.  But they are insidious, and relentless, eroding our self-confidence over time.

How then do we stop the bantering of their critical cries?  We work with them, listen to them and try to understand what messages they are trying to tell us.  Fears that don’t get addressed because we “try to” ignore them translate into blocks.  If we want to be fearless with our creative expression we need to acknowledge the fear first.

If we want to stop being distracted or discouraged by our inner critics then we need to start listening  to ourselves, and stop using the inner critics as an excuse for not moving forward.

I used to think that plastering positive messages over the negative ones would do the trick.  I use to think that all the negative messages had to be banned.  But in doing that I was simply sweeping it under the carpet, painting it over as if it did not exist.   These so-called demons need to be faced head on.  They need to be acknowledged so that they may be laid to rest.

What say you?  Are you ready to lay your fears to rest and turn those critical voices into some creative fuel?

Are you ready to get out of your head and into your art? Join us for Painting With Your Muse, a 4 week online course that will shake things up in a super fun way!  But beware,  Shift happens!