The fear of others’ opinions has been something I’ve struggled with most of my life, especially as a creative person. But the older I get the more I’ve let go of that, because ultimately I am just grateful to be alive, healthy and able to make what I make.

Part of the issue I think stems from our understanding of the word ‘creative’ and what that identity means. For much of my young life creativity was focused on an outcome – I made music, but it had to perfect and everyone had to love it. I performed live, but the gigs had to be fun and engaging. I did a lot of competitive dance when I was a child and teenager, and if your stage presence was off, well…

Creativity is a process, not an identity. In that process you’ll make tonnes of failures (like…failing is 90% of what you do every day). Engaging in this ongoing creative process is what makes you a “creative”. And one of the biggest tricks to staying focused on the process, is to ignore others’ opinions.

It’s so easy to hear people’s comments about your art and take it to heart. It’s either ‘wow this is incredible!’ or ‘wow, this sucks!’, and both extremes are unhelpful for the creative mind. On the positive side you can too easily flip into a system where you have to create perfection every time. On the negative side you can give up on the creative process entirely. At different times in my life I’ve sat in both camps, and both of them, frankly, suck.

So, instead, I’m choosing my own path. I’m choosing just to show up to whatever creative process is helping me express myself, or filling my cup that day. Some times it’s drawing, other times it’s music, some times it’s writing. But I won’t ever create for someone else’s idea of perfection, I’ll aim to simply keep trying at it.

Likewise, I aim to fail. Success is full of failure. And that will mean failing in the eyes of others. Embrace it. Make them uncomfortable with how comfortable you are with failure. Being comfortable in vulnerability is one of the most liberating and frightning experiences, but gosh will you feel alive.

Will everyone like what you creative? Nope.

Is that OK? Yup.

Will you be fine? Completely.

Live on your own terms, not on those created by others.

Let me know your thoughts!

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