Hello gorgeous,
Resistance sucks donkey balls! (I got that expression from a friend in NZ haha.)
Have you noticed how you don’t feel any resistance when you go out partying or watching TV shows? But as soon as you decide to do something that you really WANT to do, something worthwhile, resistance sets in. You might be one of the lucky few who sails through without a blemish, but then you’re probably a saint.
I’m an artist and I suffer from resistance every day. When I was a full-time writer I suffered from resistance too, but I had an ironclad discipline that pulled me through. With art however, you usually don’t have a chapter outline to follow, and a word processing program that keeps you within the parameters of the page. Writing itself can be a resistance, BUT if you show up at the computer and start with one sentence, things might start flowing. No promise though, and that’s where discipline comes in.
It is sort of a military word, isn’t it? It worked wonders in my writing career.
Discipline and art don’t get along well. The only discipline I can tie myself to is to move my body and sit down at my art table or stand by the easel. After that, the wild donkey comes along and everything flows or the blank page syndrome sets in with a vengeance. That opens the door to the inner Critic (who sounds like someone I knew.) He says: get depressed now and go find something in the fridge, or better yet, the freezer….
My Mr. Critic is very sneaky, comes in on soft-soled shoes and doesn’t exactly critique my art, but fans the flames of frustration until I feel disgusted with the project. I never hear the words “you are no good” or “your art sucks,” no, we are way beyond that point. My Critic knows that if he says that, I’ll laugh in his face because I trust my art. So, subtler methods are often used to get me to fold.
But, I have learned to push on. That’s the only thing you can do. Don’t give up, don’t get up and go to the freezer, and don’t pay any attention to the feelings of frustration or doubt trying to railroad you. Welcome them! By Mr. Critic showing up in such stealthy fashion and throwing a curve ball only means you’re really onto something good. When you’ve got it going and the passion is burning, Mr. Critic will sneak in with curve balls or frustration tantrums. It is a test of sorts, a test to see if you’re ready for the next level of awesomeness.
When things turn to sh*t you might be on the threshold to something truly great. It could be a new level of expertise or a new way of unexpected expression. Go with it, and kick Mr. Critic to the curb!
If you want to grow, face the Critic and move on. Never stop creating, whatever your passion. Nothing can stop you then. There is only one simple remedy.
Show up every day…. Stay with it until it moves forward.
xo
Maria
P.S. There is still time to join my current art e-course, Art Journaling Journey. You can read more about it HERE.
