We’ve all been there – those days when everything you touch in the studio turns into a mess, and you start questioning if you’re a fraud, a failure, and if your artistic career has hit a dead end. I recently had one of those days, and it felt like I was navigating through a storm of self-doubt and frustration. But guess what? It’s okay. It’s okay to feel like you’re creating crap and to admit that not every day is a masterpiece waiting to be born.
The key is not to beat yourself up about it but to find a way to navigate through the storm with grace and resilience. Here’s how I turned a disastrous day into a productive and fulfilling one.
1. Give Yourself Permission to Stop
It’s essential to recognize when pushing through isn’t working. I spent hours trying to salvage my paintings, only to make matters worse. Finally, I gave myself permission to stop and take a break. Sometimes, stepping away is the bravest thing you can do.
2. Clear the Mental and Physical Clutter
After acknowledging that the day was a bust, I took a walk around the property with my dogs. Fresh air has a magical way of clearing the mental fog. I returned to the studio and cleaned up the mess I had made. Tidying up the physical space helped me clear my mind and create a fresh starting point for the next day.
3. Shift Focus and Embrace Play
Instead of turning on a movie and succumbing to a pity party, I consciously chose to let myself play. I grabbed a giant sketchbook and charcoal sticks and simply enjoyed the process. The goal wasn’t to create a masterpiece; it was about getting my fingers dirty and letting go of the pressure to produce something extraordinary.
4. Diversify Your Creative Tasks
Recognizing that painting wasn’t happening that day, I redirected my energy towards other creative tasks. I made wax seals for vintage ephemera bundles and added layers of gesso to new canvases. These smaller, manageable projects helped me regain a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
5. Feel the Feelings and Vent
It’s okay to acknowledge your frustrations and share them with someone you trust. I went into my husband’s office and vented a bit, releasing some of the pent-up emotions. Sometimes, expressing your feelings can be a crucial step towards moving past them.
6. Take a Break and Refresh
A nice walk outside provided a much-needed break and allowed me to reset my mind. Returning to the studio with a clearer perspective, I found that I could tackle other tasks that didn’t involve painting.
7. Release the Pressure
In embracing play and letting go of the need for perfection, I released the pressure that had built up inside. Charcoal became my medium for self-expression and a tool for overcoming the frustration of a failed painting day.
8. Embrace the Next Day with Openness
The following day, I entered the studio with a bit of nervousness but a newfound acceptance. I told myself that if it turned out to be another challenging day, that would be fine. I had other tasks on my to-do list that needed attention. However, what transpired was quite the opposite.
9. Surprising Productivity
I found myself immersed in five different paintings at various stages of completion. The focus and flow were back, and the sense of accomplishment was immeasurable. By allowing myself the freedom to step away and engage in diverse creative activities, I had inadvertently opened the floodgates to renewed inspiration and productivity.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination
As artists, we often fixate on the end result, the masterpiece that defines our success. However, the creative journey is filled with twists, turns, and, yes, days that feel like a complete disaster. Learning to navigate through these ‘fraud’ days with self-compassion, playfulness, and a willingness to embrace different creative outlets can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
So, the next time you find yourself knee-deep in artistic frustration, remember: it’s okay to create crap sometimes. Give yourself the grace to navigate through the storm, and who knows, you might just find yourself on the other side with a renewed sense of purpose and a canvas ready to come to life.
Heidi Cogdill 