On | Maintaining Your Sense of Worth as a Creative

I know I said on Tuesday that this week was going to be all about ice cream, and in fact I was all set up to shoot and post my ice cream sandwiches today, but something happened that I couldn’t ignore and just had to write about. I have to warn you, this post is text heavy and does come from a place of negativity and insecurity, which is something I deeply try to hide here (I’m all sunshine and rainbows!). But I’ve been here before and feel the need to open up to you all, get this conversation going and ask how you get through similar situations. Because if you’re a creator, and especially if you’re online, I’m sure you’ve felt what I feel.

Remember when I made this announcement to open a print shop featuring my watercolour gems? And remember how I was super excited but also nervous at the same time? Part of my nerves was a fear that someone would beat me to it, and sure enough someone did.

My friend sent me a blog post featuring an artists’ gorgeous work of watercolour gems. Yes, gorgeous work, and I am so elated that others are also inspired by these beautiful works of nature. I mean really, gems and minerals are mind boggingly stunning and the perfect specimen to be captured by paint and brush. But I can’t lie, my heart sank a little, because seeing work published before I got a chance to do so made me feel unoriginal.

I know I’m not the only one to go through this. I’ve had similar experiences with DIY’s in the past, and I cut the project completely. In a different creative realm, my sister was in the middle of writing a screenplay when a movie, featuring the same historical figure in a similar format she was writing, was released. Heart broken, she axed the project.

It’s true, I feel that urge to stop – because how can I create something that is already being created? My work is no longer original, so why should I bother? That’s my heart talking, and my brain is telling my heart to shut up.

I would tell anyone who listened, that when it comes to creations and art specifically, everyone brings a unique perspective to their work and, therefore, has something different to offer. And I wholeheartedly believe this, regardless of what my heart is saying. So thankfully, my brain steps in with this reminder, and my passion encourages me to persevere. I just have to tell my heart to be quiet every now and then and remind myself that everyone brings a special something to their work. Yes, even little ‘ol me.

Now I’m not here bearing the inner workings of my soul to ask for pity or encouragement. Rather I feel this is an important discussion to have, and I want to better myself through learning from others (you!) who have gone through similar situations. And so, I ask you this:

What do you do when you face similar situations? Do you ignore the rest of the world and persevere on? Do you stop entirely? Or do you mope a bit like me and get back to it?
When you treasure an idea or creation of yours, then see it made into reality by someone else,

how do you maintain your sense of worth?