Navigating Self-Doubt
Creative Block → 014
Creative Block is a weekly newsletter that gives you a glimpse into my life, creativity, design, and music. It's like a little pick-me-up that you get delivered straight to your inbox each week.
I'm about to share something incredibly vulnerable with all of you. It's something I've been contemplating whether or not to reveal to you all, but I believe it's essential to be open and honest because I know many of you can relate to this struggle.
In my previous newsletter, I mentioned that I've been working on designing a jacket. The plan is to have it manufactured and ready for sale by September. It's been quite a journey, spanning nearly three years. I’ve had terrible luck finding a reliable manufacturer who can create a jacket of high quality. This last attempt turned out to be successful, and I'm incredibly relieved. If things didn’t work out I think I would’ve quit trying.
As I consider putting this jacket out for sale, I find myself paralyzed by self-doubt. Questions flood my mind: "Will I even be able to sell 50?" or "What if I only sell 10?". When discussing these concerns with my friends, I realize that I (sometimes) don't see or value my work in the same way others do. Maybe I’m too close with my work to view it the way others do. I mean I know my work is good, but I find it hard to accept compliments when others tell me they love my work. Sometimes I find myself thinking “Oh they’re just being nice.” It’s a terrible habit. Optimism doesn't come naturally to me, and I tend to default to worst-case scenarios to avoid disappointment. I'm actively working on breaking this bad habit with my therapist. It seems to stem from my childhood growing up.
As I approach the final stages of developing this jacket, I have to remind myself to shift my perspective. Instead of dwelling on doubts, I ask myself, "What if I do sell 100?" or "What if people absolutely love it?" I'm consciously focusing on the positive aspects of this upcoming launch and working on the things I can control.
Can I control if it sells out or not? No → Stop worrying then
Can I if this Manufacturer ghosts me? No → Stop worrying then
Can I control how many I make? Yes. → Ok then do it.
Can I control if I put my all into this roll out? Yes. → Ok then do it.
Can I control the price of the jacket? Yes. → Ok then do it.
Can I control the final details on the jacket? Yes. → Ok then do it.
I want to clarify that I'm not here to beg you to buy my jacket. Rather, I want to share my thought process as I delve into the realm of cut and sew garments. It's an entirely new market and an endeavor filled with countless possibilities. In fact, my aspirations go beyond just a jacket; I dream of creating my own basketball, scarf, gift wrap, and more. The future is uncertain, but what truly matters is that I'm finally challenging myself to bring my visions to life and expand my canvas, despite the unknown. Whether I sell 5 or 100, I’m just happy I was able to bring this vision to life and that in it if it self makes these 3 years of trials and doubts worth it.
Acknowledging and embracing self-doubt is an integral part of the creative journey. It's about recognizing our fears and insecurities, and finding the courage to move forward regardless. While questioning ourselves is natural, we shoudln’t allow those doubts to overshadow our vision and passion. By embracing vulnerability and pushing through the unknown, we open ourselves up to infinite possibilities and the potential for remarkable impact.
Remember that taking creative risks involves navigating the delicate balance between self-doubt and optimism. It's normal to have doubts, but we shouldn't let them undermine our creative aspirations or distort how we view our work. Together, let's support one another in embracing self-doubt, taking risks, and bringing our unique visions to life because at the end of the day, your uniqueness is your superpower. The most remarkable achievements often arise from moments of uncertainty and the audacity to venture into uncharted territory.
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James Coffman | His play with shapes have been so unique
Teresa Rego | Her patterns and textile designs are vibrant and colorful
→Quote of the week
Beautiful vulnerable share about creative self-doubt, working through that by looking at what you can and can’t control, and choosing optimism.
I like the approach of switching to "what if I sell 100? 1000? 1 million?" But I also like the opposite approach ... "what if I only sell one but that person feels like it's the perfect jacket that they've always been looking for and they feel amazing every single time that they put it on?"
Truly love this. I've been dealing with this similarly in my music. I love your thought process when you started asking yourself those questions like "Can I control this? Yes, then do it, or No, don't worry about it." Those are very similar thoughts I have whenever I share my music. I'm actively working on my confidence when it comes to standing on my sound versus putting that determination in the hands of others - and this helped tremendously. Thank you so much for sharing this fam.