This One Thing Is Why Creativity Causes Fear And Doubt

Why is it that fear and doubt go hand in hand with creative activities?

Hi everyone

This week I have a guest post for you by Thor Schroeder. It is his take on one of my earlier articles “But Why Do Fear And Doubt Accompany Creativity?”.

I always think it is useful to hear an important message in different words and I really like the way Thor hones in on the one thing underlying the fear and doubt we may feel about our creative work.

Enjoy and keep plodding gently

Cali xx

This One Thing Is Why Creativity Causes Fear And Doubt

Throughout school and work we have all had that assignment that we fear showing our classmates and coworkers. We feel our stomach turn to knots, tingles run down the spine, and sweat drips down our faces. We have all been in this moment.

Regardless of your self confidence or your outgoingness, if there is a project that requires true creativity we tend to get some version of these feelings. Why do you feel this way when letting the world see your creative work? Why does handing in the math homework or the weekly financial report not make you feel the same?

Because sharing a creative project requires us to be vulnerable. 

We, as people, all feel the need to be creative to some extent. That might look like writing, drawing, photography, or a myriad of other forms. We crave expression of our thoughts and feelings. This is one of the main things that make us human.

How is creating something being vulnerable?

When we create something, we expose a piece of ourselves. We show a glimpse of our emotions or views of the world. When in isolation it can have euphoric effects, but when sharing this creation it can cause irrational fear and doubt. We show people the version of ourselves that best suits that relationship.

When creating something and letting the world see it, we fear that people will see a different version of us. This version might seem weak or aggressive. Maybe even pretty or ugly. This could be polar opposite to what they expect. This version could hurt that perception and maybe impact that relationship, no matter how small.

When we stand in front of our classmates or coworkers showing our creation we get a rush of this fear. Before hitting share on social media we get a slightly dulled version of it as well. In a world where we are programmed to share, even the smallest things, we probably feel this more now than ever. We could try to hide that version of ourselves, limiting the fear, but that won’t allow for that inner euphoria – which is multiplied when shared with others.

There is another side to these feelings. We also doubt that the creation itself is not enough. We doubt that the creation is not perfect, refined, or polished enough. This feeling is due to us seeking perfection. We feel like it needs to be a masterpiece, so we would rather hold it back from the world. Creativity in any form is art and art cannot become art without someone seeing it as such.

If we doubt all of our creations to the point of not sharing them, then we risk the chance of them not being seen, not impacting someone. There is beauty in imperfection, beauty in doubt. We shouldn’t doubt our creations, rather, embrace the imperfections in them. 

The best way to limit these feelings is to practice and share your creativity regularly. Write, draw, and photograph as often as you can. If it feels right, share it with someone, anyone – the larger the group the better. The more you expose yourself, the more vulnerable you can be, the more human you will feel. It can seem hard, I still struggle with this at times too, but with practice the sensations will dull.

Fear and doubt will always accompany creativity, because creativity is inherently human. 

(Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash)

Thor Schroeder is the writer of The Gray Area and Async Chats. He is a storyteller based out of Portland, Oregon, US. He has been a writer on Substack for two years and a visual storyteller through film and photography most of his life.

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