As an artist and Certified Creativity Coach, the most common issue my clients present is the inability to be playful and simply let go. I say that like it is an easy thing to do, but all creatives struggle with this on some level. Myself included. Whether it is a blank page, a fresh canvas, an empty room, or just choosing a paint color for the bathroom wall, we look at that first step as the point of no return. Seriously? Stepping off of a cliff would be the point of no return! So what is it then? Are you really not playful enough? Do you really have a problem "letting go" ? I think we are all quite capable of letting go and being silly. This, however, is only one part of the issue. The bigger piece of this issue is your inner "perfectionist", and our inability to believe that things do not need to be perfect. I was stunned when I was going through my training to become a Certified Coach, and our group leader pointed out to me that I struggled with perfectionism! ME? Have you met me??? I am ok with my hair not combed. My studio looks like someone broke in and was looking for a treasure chest, I have enough "stuff" in my car to live comfortably on the road for about a month. I don't see me as a perfectionist in any way, shape or form. Yet, I came to recognize that perfectionism was the underlying hurdle that would prevent me from moving forward on a project. I had to come to terms with the fact that unless I was performing surgery, what I was doing did not have to be "perfect". Here's the BIG revelation I came to several years ago: Asking myself "what's the worst that can happen?" It really is that simple. You rearrange the furniture. You don't like it. Put it back. You don't like a color? Change it.
Don't like the words on the page? Toss them. Not "feeling" your latest creative project? It's ok to walk away. Here's the the thing folks, NOTHING will happen. The stars will come out at night, the sun will shine, you will still have laundry to do, and your dog will still want to go for a walk. So, WHAT IS THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Even if you see the project through its entirety and are unhappy with the results, it is never a total loss. What you learn along the way counts BIG TIME, and how you deal with it, is the most important part of who you really are on the inside. Not on the canvas, not on the page, not on a wall. Be kind to yourself, and remember the worst case scenario mantra! Really, what IS the worst that can happen?
Now, if you need help being silly and playful, that's a whole other enchilada!