I'm trying to START my poor art journal. So much I want to try, and then I can't find the courage to put brush to paper. Argh! I keep meaning to do it, but then I revert into "safer" creative pursuits, like drawing something, working on beads- anything that already has its process and doesn't feel foreign to me. I know I need to dive in, but I'm scared. Isn't that crazy? - Chel
Chel I know what you mean! I'm the same way! I am afraid to let go! Afraid of destroying what I've made instead of just letting go! How do you do it? How do you let go! - Mie
That's from the comments section of yesterday's post on art journaling.
Every success I've ever had has been full of failure.
Falling down is a part of learning to walk. Failure teaches us what not to do and the next time we try, we're better equipped to succeed.
It is not an easy thing to embrace failure.
But sometimes fear of failure is simply fear of the unknown.
If you've been fired and then managed to find a new job, you no longer fear being fired because you know you can still succeed.
It doesn't mean that it's not scary. But remember what FDR said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Don't let the fear of "messing up" or "ruining it" stop you. Those are mental handcuffs.
I still get scared when I look at something pretty and contemplate another layer. But when I start feeling those butterflies of "oh no," I force myself to cut it, cover it, and move on.
I truly believe that the only failure is failing to try.
And once you're willing to give it a try, there's just one more hurdle.
Perfection should never be a goal.
I think we're all taught to be "good" at some point. Whether it's direct instruction from our parents or teachers as to what "good" is or it's indirect instruction based on rewards (i.e. people ooo-and-aaah or we get an "A").
I do believe that successful people set goals, but I also believe that they set their own goals. No one else's reaction or expectations should determine your goals.
But that's really hard. Like really, really, really difficult.
We all crave the approval of others. But remember that Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life.
Try to make the goal of your art journaling page simply to do it. Just the act of doing it is enough.
Don't feel the need to go back and "fix" it. Let mistakes live right next to successes. They'll help you learn. You'll see your progress.
For me, art journaling is freedom.
Don't let the voice inside your head win.
Fail gloriously, my friends. Fail gloriously!
