Why are you afraid to create? (And How to Set Yourself Free).
Have you ever opened your sketchbook or Procreate app, only to stare at the blank space in front of you—heart racing, hands frozen, mind full of doubt? You’re not alone. Behind every artist’s desire to create lives a shadow of fear: fear of not being good enough, fear of being seen, fear that what you make won’t measure up. But the truth is, fear doesn’t mean you're failing—it means you're close to something meaningful. In this post, we’ll gently explore what’s really going on and walk through 10 loving steps to help you reclaim your creative courage.
If you've ever found yourself staring at a blank canvas or unopened Procreate file, paralyzed with resistance... you're not alone.
I want to create. I love art. And yet, I’ve gone long stretches without drawing—despite having the tools, the training, and the passion.
Why?
Because underneath the surface, there’s a fear most of us don’t talk about.
🌒 The Truth: Fear Hides Behind the Brush
It’s not just about skill or time or motivation.
It’s about:
The fear that we’re not good enough
The fear that our work won’t compare
The fear that no one will care
The fear that if we actually succeed… everything will change
Sometimes, we’re even more afraid of success than failure.
Because success means visibility. Change. Pressure. Expectations. A new identity.
And that’s BIG energy to hold.
🌱 So What Can We Do?
Here are 10 gentle ways to overcome the fear of creating—tried, true, and soul-approved.
✦ 1. Acknowledge the Fear Without Judgment
Say it out loud. Write it down. Fear shrinks when it's named.
“I’m afraid I won’t be good enough.”
“I’m scared people will judge me.”
“I don’t know if I can live up to my own standards.”
Let that be okay.
✦ 2. Create Something Ugly on Purpose
Relieve yourself of the pressure to impress. Make the ugliest drawing possible. Laugh. Scribble. Let it be wild and wrong.
✦ 3. Start with One Line
You don’t need to “make art.” You just need to begin.
One line. One mark. One swipe of color.
That’s enough.
✦ 4. Write a Letter to Your Creativity
One of the most healing things I did on my return to art was to write a letter to my Creativity—and then let her write back. It was like receiving a message from a forgotten friend who had been patiently waiting for me all along.
If you’d like to try this sacred conversation for yourself, I’ve created a ChatGPT prompt to guide you. All you have to do is copy and paste it—and let the words flow. You might be surprised by what your Creativity wants to say.
✧ Click here to open ChatGPT and then copy and paste the prompt below → chat.openai.com
Hi ChatGPT. I’d like you to act as a gentle, intuitive version of my Creativity.
Please write me a letter as if you are my own Creativity—personal, loving, and honest. Speak to me like a magical guide or old friend who has been with me since I was a child.
Include these elements:
- Acknowledgement of how I might feel stuck, afraid, or disconnected
- Reassurance that it’s okay to begin again
- Encouragement to take small, pressure-free steps back into art or expression
- A reminder of our unique connection and creative magic
Make the tone mystical, comforting, and supportive—like a moonlit letter left on my pillow.
You may start the letter with “Dear [my name or title you sense fits]” and end it with “With love, your Creativity.”
✦ 5. Create in Secret
You don’t have to share your art with anyone. Give yourself permission to make private things.
Let your creativity feel safe with you again.
✦ 6. Make a Ritual of It
Light a candle. Brew tea. Play music. Make drawing sacred, not scary. I enjoy late-night painting or writing. When the world is still and sleeping, that is when I can connect to my artist self without distraction.
✦ 7. Redefine What “Art” Means
Art isn’t always a masterpiece. Art is presence. Process. Play. Healing. Connection.
Even if it’s just doodles, it matters.
✦ 8. Notice What Inspires, Not Intimidates
Instead of comparing, ask: “What about this artist’s work excites me?” That’s a mirror, not a threat. Art has the power to spark a light in others. Whatever excites you or makes you feel is worthy of your time and attention. Let the messages come.
✦ 9. Commit to 10 Minutes a Day
Don’t aim for greatness—aim for consistency. Even a few minutes of creative play builds momentum.
✦ 10. Celebrate the Return
You came back. That’s heroic. That’s enough.
Make a drawing just to say thank you to your creative self.
✦✦ Deep Dive Bonus: Welcome Fear like a friend.
Ask it to sit with you and tell you a story. Discover why it’s here and what it wants you to know. Fears of all kinds have a purpose. To keep us safe and protected. What is your fear trying to protect you from?
Draw it.
🕯️ You Are Not Alone
The fear to create is common—but so is the desire to heal it.
You don’t have to conquer fear. You just have to begin anyway—with trembling hands, with wobbly lines, with a heart that whispers,
“I want this.”
And that’s enough.
Need a printable version of the 10 steps? Grab a free copy here.
With brushstrokes and blessings,
Maeve
8/20/2025