Have you ever noticed that when you get an idea to try something new, the first thing that happens is we have dis-empowering thoughts that tell us we can’t do it, that we’re not good enough or that someone will laugh at us?
I call these ‘Chaser Thoughts’ because they have a bad habit of popping into our head as soon as we have a new idea, and they do nothing to support us and everything to stop us. They are our limiting beliefs.
I have so many people say to me ‘You are so lucky you can draw. I wish I could, but I’m no good at it.’ This is the story we all tell ourselves and I get it because I used to do EXACTLY the same thing. I believed I was no good at drawing and couldn’t even bring myself to start. The fear of making a mistake or doing something wrong was so strong, I did nothing.
Then one day the opportunity to learn to paint literally fell in my lap and I loved it. But guess what? After a few months painting, I got a bad comment. I was crushed and put my paints away. Why? Because I believed them!
It took me another 3 months before I tried again and by then, my self-criticism was in overdrive. However, I persevered because I enjoyed it and so I found myself a painting buddy who had the same issue. We met up each week and encouraged each other and the rest, as they say, is history.
So what changed? Well, I did. I changed my thinking. I decided to paint just for me, no one else. I looked at what was scaring me the most…I might make a mistake…people will laugh… I’ll be so embarrassed… and I realised that the worst critic out there, was me!!!
I also realised it was time to put it into perspective.
It’s only a piece of paper.
I don’t have to show anyone, and I can throw it away if I don’t like what I do. More importantly I allowed myself to do it simply to have fun and to accept that I don’t have to be perfect at everything I do.
And that is the key.
When you hear that voice inside your head telling you that you 'can't' do something, ask yourself, is that really true? Or is it some thing I heard once and believed without actually trying it for myself.
I try to use this perspective in everything now and it is amazing how my life has changed. Sure, I still worry about what people think (don’t we all), but now I give everything of interest, a go. I hope you will too.
Connecting with Creativity teaches us
- how to let go of our self judgement and accept our own beautiful uniqueness
- how to see things from a different perspective, and
- how to relax. have fun and play.
So next time you try something new, listen for those Chaser Thoughts and see if you can turn them around so that you actually do give it a go. Change it to ‘I can’ and instead of letting a negative thought stop you…jump in and try. We are so much more capable than we give ourselves credit for.
Have a positively creative week 😊
Sharon Dawn