Creative frustration is not fun for anyone, especially when you are working on a craft that you want to be proficient in right away. I am sure you have heard the phrases, “Know thy self” and “Knowledge is power.” Simply put, when you have a better understanding of your inner workings, i.e., your subconscious thoughts, emotions, and negative triggers, you will have a chance at being able to temper your emotional dissatisfaction towards your artistic endeavors and succeed.
It’s important to understand what is happening with this type of creative block so that you can be better equipped to deal with it when it occurs. Creative frustration can manifest differently for different people, but the primary component is the same. An individual will find that they are having difficulty with an aspect of their creative work, thus they then become agitated which in turn slows down or stops their progress. This dissatisfaction could be anything from struggling with how to learn or perform a new technique or practice, or just plain creators block.
In most cases, what is essentially happening is due to the trigger of frustration; the artist will find themselves being upset with their level of proficiency. This discontent thus turns their focus inward to a place of self-blame. In the end, all of these upsetting and turbulent feelings cause the artist to question their self-worth, ability, and skill, feeling that they are not good enough. With all these negative emotions amplified, their art suffers.
One favorable treatment for this type of creative block is first to become aware of your inner thoughts and feelings. Then if they are not supportive of your goal, change them to ones that are.
Ask yourself: How do I feel? Why do I feel this way? Are my feelings based on truth? What positive reasons can I come up with to support myself as an artist?
Above all, be kind and patient with yourself; it takes time to perfect your craft. Give yourself the love, patience, and support you need.
Namaste, Abby
