5 Ways Fear Can Propel You as an Artist

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When you use your greatest fears to guide you in your creative work, you uncover the deepest, most genuine pieces of yourself—in your life, and in your art.

—Meera Lee Patel, Artist and Author of “Create Your Own Calm”

Shifting your perspective toward fear and approaching it as something that can help you, rather than harm you, is key in allowing fear to move you forward. When you pull fear towards you and listen to it more closely, you discover that as an artist, it’s one of the most useful tools you have. Here’s why.

1. Vulnerability connects you with others.

Making work that is honest, straight from the heart, and that allows others to see you for who you are is terrifying.

It’s not easy to feel exposed, and especially when unveiling yourself means inviting others to judge and critique you. You trim your words and soften your emotions, creating work that is watered-down and accessible, not realizing that you’re doing yourself (and your work) a disservice.

The truth is that the world wants your raw, unfiltered work—writing that bites, paintings that elicit emotion, films that cause you to question the thoughts you think and the actions you take. Vulnerability is a road that brings you closer to others, and when you make art that reflects who you are, it brings you closer to yourself, too.

2. Creating from pain encourages healing.

The fear of letting go is rooted in a fear of the unknown and a belief that anything you haven’t experienced yet will negatively affect you. Your brain is designed to protect you, and that often means staying in the same place—after all, what you haven’t discovered can’t hurt you.

Focused on self-preservation, your brain refuses to acknowledge that beauty lies in the unknown. If you draw your pain closer, you can creatively draw from your well of history to create art that is healing for you and for others. Eventually, you’ll find that you’re shaping a whole new future filled with surprise and delight.

3. Self-reflection leads to the best work.

The fear of looking within is scary, and you might be unsettled by what you find. What if your imposter syndrome begins to take over? What if you uncover painful memories that haven’t yet healed? As artists, we procrastinate because we think we need to be the perfect version of ourselves to make perfect art.

Art isn’t perfect, though. In fact, the best work has visible flaws, marks, and outlines that explain who the artist is and how the artist thinks. The stories that you have hidden inside you are the ones other people want to see, and the only way you can share them is by taking the time to uncover them.

4. Honest work draws a loyal audience.

How often have you created something that you thought another person would like, instead of drawing the lines or choosing the colors you were actually pulled towards? It usually takes a long time (and building up a well of confidence) to realize that when you make the work you’re meant to make, the people who connect with it the most will find it and support it because they find themselves in it.

5. Failure is a door to creative growth.

As an artist especially, it’s tempting to continue to creating work in the same voice or style that has become comfortable, brought you success, or that already resonates with your audience. The fear of failure can convince you that any step in a new direction will be a mistake and one that will erase any progress you’ve already made. The chance for failure is the chance to learn something new—to begin again. As an artist, it’s a beautiful opportunity for growth.

If you welcome failure into your creative process, you’re inviting more than the opportunity for success or learning new skills into your life—you’re inviting creative evolution. The more open to failure you are, the more chances you will take in your art. You can try new techniques, experiment with media, and try on different creative voices until you find the one that feels most authentic to you. Nothing is more important than continuing to grow as an artist. 

As an artist, you have a responsibility to respect yourself and your work by making sure it is an honest reflection of who you are and how you interpret the world around you. When you use your greatest fears to guide you in your creative work, you uncover the deepest, most genuine pieces of yourself—in your life, and in your art.

About the Author: Meera Lee Patel is a self-taught artist and the author of “Create Your Own Calm.” She creates work to inspire and encourage others to connect with themselves, each other, and the world around them. She lives in the northern woods of Nashville, Tennessee.

“Create Your Own Calm” by Meera Lee Patel

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Release You From Fear’s Grip

Photo: Smith House Photography

I think we can all agree, 2020 has brought a dizzying number of changes into our lives. We’re finding new ways to adapt to this post-lockdown world. Some aren’t so bad (increased family time and better hand-washing), however, its dark side has ushered in uncertainty and cemented a paralyzing fear of the unknown for some.

I know from experience that illogical fear can be debilitating. I’ve worked through my own phobias over the years (fear of elevators, public speaking, and most poignantly, raising a son with Down Syndrome). I know how fear can stop our growth and kill our dreams. To completely eradicate fear, we first need to understand and identify which fears can be helpful and which are not.

First, let’s identify “healthy” and “real” fears.

Healthy fear typically manifests as a visceral, instinctual response to a physical threat. We need this type of fear for our survival and protection. For example, if you are standing on a high ledge, healthy fear kicks in and cautions you to step back. It keeps you safe. Listen to that inner voice; it will not lead you astray.

Real fears are unavoidable. We all worry about not achieving our dreams. We fear losing the people we love most. Can these fears consume us? It depends on how you frame them. If you fear losing people you love, put your energy toward being completely engaged when spending time with them. Fully appreciate that they are here now. Real fear cannot be eliminated, but we can transform it into something empowering.

Let’s talk about illogical fears. These are the worries that keep you awake at night and hijack your daytime thoughts. Are you terrified of spiders? Heights? Cockroaches? Do you avoid driving on freeways? Imagine what your life would be like if this fear was eliminated. Here’s an exercise to work through those dark thoughts. They worked for me. They can work for you, too.

Name Your Fear

Think about the fears in your life. Identify your most prominent, illogical fear, and build an action plan to eliminate it. Consider how your life, relationships, or specific experiences would change if this fear were removed. Got it? You’re ready for your next step.

Diminish Your Fear

Now that you’ve identified your fear, recognize it when it pops into your head. Instead of panicking, stop and ask, “Why am I thinking about this in a fearful way?” Look at that fear with skepticism and curiosity. Is it really real?  

Disarm It

Taking small steps to disarm our phobia may seem like shoveling snow with a spoon. But, little by little, they add up to regaining control of your thoughts. 

For instance, if you have an upcoming flight but hate to fly, download a few meditations and practice them before you go to the airport. By doing this, you’re creating a space in your mind you can easily access when fear arises, and from that place of calm, you can reassure yourself.

Create a Mantra

Turn your fear into an affirmative mantra. Let’s say the local Rotary Club asked you to address the members at their next meeting. Avoid negative self-talk and, instead, create an affirmative mantra: “I am fully prepared. Everything I have to say is helpful, well-founded, and something I believe in. I will appear cool, calm, and confident.” Don’t let negative self-talk limit your potential for greatness.

Now that you have awareness and some tools, it’s time to put them into action. 

Step One: Put Aside Time in the Morning

Take some time to think about your fears and facing them in the morning when you are fresh and motivated. It has been scientifically proven that our willpower and psychological stamina are at their strongest in the morning and wane throughout the day. This is why for anyone who has ever dieted (which is basically everyone), it is so easy to choose a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch, and then make an unhealthy choice around dinnertime.

Step Two: Challenge Fear-Based Thoughts

Let’s say you have a debilitating fear of flying. Think about hopping a plane to visit loved ones. Visualize the terminal, security lines, and boarding. You may begin to feel your chest tighten or your breath quicken because you’re certain the flight will end in a disaster. Ask yourself:

• What contradicts this thought? At any time in the United States, more than 60,000 people are in the air. They leave and arrive safely every day. You will too.

• Identify if this thought is fear-based. Is there evidence that what you fear will happen? Statistically, you are much safer traveling by plane.

• What would your life look like if you didn’t feed the fear? What new experiences would you be able to have?

Challenging your thoughts in this way gets to the root of the fear and destroys it. If your fears have nowhere to grow, eventually, they will die.      

Step Three: Exposure

In order to overcome your fears, you must confront them. But do this in small doses. Taking on too much, too quickly, can backfire. 

Let’s say you have a fear of stepping outside your home. Gradual exposure can look like this:

• Look outside your open window.

• Open the front door and stand outside on your porch.

• Walk to the sidewalk.

• Walk over to your neighbor’s house.

• Walk to the corner of your block.

• Walk around your block.

Identifying and working with fear is like exercising a muscle for the first time: it might feel unnatural, but soon you’ll look forward to it. These steps worked for me. Using these thoughts and tools, I can now step into an elevator without a second thought. I thoroughly enjoy publicly speaking and feel alive when I do it. Most importantly, I learned to tackle my fear of raising a son with a disability. I began to recognize and celebrate the unique gifts he brings to our family and how he has helped me become a more evolved human being.

I’m free. Now it’s your turn.

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Turn your fear into an affirmative mantra.

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—Monica Berg, International Speaker, Spiritual Thought Leader, and Chief Communications Officer of the Kabbalah Centre

About the Author: Monica Berg is an international speaker, spiritual thought leader, and chief communications officer of the Kabbalah Centre. She is the author of “Fear is Not an Option” and “Rethink Love.” She is also the host of the podcast “Spiritually Hungry.” A self-proclaimed “change junkie,” Monica is a fresh voice that channels her many years of Kabbalah study along with personal life experiences. Monica shows individuals how to create a life that not only feels like it’s working but most importantly, a life in which they are living and loving as the powerful, fulfilled person they’ve always wanted to be.

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5 Women Share When They Feel the Most Fearless

Fear is normal. It keeps us safe. It can even motivate us to get our ducks in a row.

But every woman knows that moment, when you hit your stride, and a surge of fearlessness surges through you. The moment where you know, “I got this.”

It’s a get up and go after it feeling that is empowering. And contagious.

So we asked five women to share when they feel the most fearless. We encourage you to do the same in the comments and pass on the good vibes.

Allie Greenberg, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Richer Poorer

“This is corny,” says the Marketing Manager at LA’s favorite inner-wear company, “but after a really good, sweaty workout.”

“Or,” the new mom says, “when Sadie [her daughter] and I take a stroller walk around the neighborhood-- I’m so overwhelmed with happiness that nothing can touch me.”

She adds, “Wine also does the trick.”

Paige Bowen, co-founder of Bowen House

Known for their one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, the “daughter,” behind the mother-daughter team at Bowen House, says she feels the most free and fearless after delivering a custom piece to a client.

“Whenever we create really custom pieces for clients I’m always really inspired,” Bowen says. “Then, fear sets in right before it’s delivered.” Luckily that feeling doesn’t last long. “It’s probably right after I see how perfect it looks and the client loves it that I’m the most fearless. It’s like a mini-high.”

Adri Contreras, Senior Events Director, Create & Cultivate

“Fresh out of the salon,” Adri says, “is when I feel the most fearless. I color my hair. I get highlights and when they are glossy and everything is blown out, I feel unstoppable.” However the event director knows that there isn’t always time to hit up the salon, especially before traveling for big conferences. So she keeps things spruced with Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection. The Protect & Prevent Spay super easy to bring along in her suitcase. By shielding hair from environmental factors including UV rays, pollution and thermal damage, Protect & Prevent Spray helps reduce brassiness and fading at the source. And it’s proven to work. After 10 washes, the Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection is scientifically proven to extend color life and vibrancy by 100%. Those are the kind of numbers we like over here.

“Look good, feel good,” says Contreras.

Aideé Chavez, Founder @MexicanYogaGirl

Friends and fam do it for this writer and content creator.

“I feel the most fearless around the people I love and love me back,” Aideé says. “My family and friends are such a sweet place for me. When I am around them I love how I laugh and the stupid stuff I feel open to say, how all my insecurities can be on blast for them to see and yet in that, there is this power where we connect with each other in a way that gives me the energy to go out into the world feeling and loved.”

Can we get a #same?

Brittany Littleton, Activist, Rescuer & Rehabilitator @LitteLoveRescue

“I feel the most fearless right after getting through hard situations. Any time I feel afraid or unsure of myself I remember those times and look at how far I’ve come. Last year was truly the hardest year of my life,” the single mama shares. “I thought I wouldn’t get through it. Then I had my son and I felt-- fearless isn’t even the word for it. I felt invincible.”

What makes you feel fearless? Share below!!

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An Open Letter to Women in the Workplace About Their Fear

Close your eyes and think of a famous CEO.

You probably thought of Mark Zuckerburg from Facebook or maybe even Jeff Bezos from Amazon. Both men. And, it’s not that they aren’t great innovators and leaders, but it does raise the question: Why didn’t a woman come to mind first? The answer is that Zuckerberg and Bezos had an idea, and ran fearlessly and confidently with it until they saw success, and that women typically struggle with self-confidence and fear.

At least, I know I have, especially when it comes to the workplace.

But, if confidence in the workplace is so essential to a successful career, then why is it that we women often live behind this mask of a fear to speak up, share opinions or initiate projects? Sheryl Sandberg, in her book “Lean In,” addresses one of the prominent bases of workplace fear. Sandberg, while referencing psychologists’ study of power dynamics, states that those who serve in low-power positions are less likely to share their opinions, and more likely to monitor what they say when they do. “This helps explain why for many women, speaking honestly in a professional environment carries an additional set of fears. Fear of not being considered a team player. Fear of seeming negative or nagging. Fear that constructive criticism will come across as just plain old criticism.”

Fear causes us to stand in the background of the workplace and justify the silence we have grown accustomed to. Fear is the validation of our imaginary, decreased value on the corporate ladder. If we remove fear, then we decrease what holds us back from professional success and find the personal validation that only confidence can provide.

Of course, this is easier said than done. To alter the way we think — by including a healthy portion of confidence — changes the way we look at everything, from the way we walk into a meeting to the way we approach small talk with a higher-up. But, imagine if it we eliminated unhealthy fear and identified and removed ourselves as the obstacle holding us back from limitless professional success. Have you ever met a CEO who cowers in the corner?

Rosa Parks said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” Although she didn’t go down in history for running a multi-billion dollar company, she went down in history for being fearless, for standing up for herself and for knowing her worth.

Imagine if we all did that; think of where we could be.

Has fear held you back from being the kind of woman you want to be? 

An original version of this article appeared on Darling. Written by: Katy Horst 

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