On Anxiety
section of a work table in my studio, scraps of fabric, paint brush, scissors, and reading glasses in a pile
“Fears arise when you look back, and they arise when you look ahead. If you’re prone to disaster fantasies, you may spend much of your time imagining the ways your work will turn out badly.”
Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland
Being an artist sometimes feels like a questionable life choice—one full of uncertainty, self-doubt, and plenty of anxiety. There’s the fear of being misjudged, misunderstood, or worse, completely ignored. It can be frustrating when recognition feels distant or slow, and those moments can really mess with your motivation.
What helps me is always having something to turn to—some kind of creative action to keep me moving forward, even when my confidence wavers. That’s where my sketchbook comes in. It’s a place to work through ideas, experiment without pressure, or just keep my hands busy, most importantly it keeps me feeling like I am progressing—making something when the big work is on hold.
I even made a spreadsheet filled with different activities related to my studio practice. It’s basically a running list of things I can turn to when anxiety creeps in or when I start questioning everything. Sometimes, just having a plan—even a small one—can make all the difference.