I have tossed around the idea of blogging for a number of years, but I always seem to drop the idea for one reason or another. The internet is already oversaturated with blogs. Blogging will make me look desperate as an artist. Writing isn’t my thing. What if it’s trash? What if I can’t generate enough ideas after I start? Who is going to care what I have to say? I could honestly fill a notebook with reasons I’ve had for not starting a blog. This fear is not unlike the self doubt I’m always trying to rid my middle school students of. In fact, it’s exactly the same. “Growth mindset!” I have yelled at myself for the past few weeks as I try and muster the gumption to begin writing. And now, here I am, about to reframe my fear and self doubt and start a blog.
Let’s break this all down, shall we?
Doubt 1: The internet is already oversaturated with blogs.
Reframe: Yes, maybe there are quite a few blogs out there, but deciding not to add to blogging culture would be like saying “There are enough artists in the world. Why should there be another?” This of course is ridiculous, as every person has a unique perspective and reason to contribute to the world as an artist. I’m going to assert that the same is true for bloggers.
Doubt 2: Blogging will make me look desperate as an artist.
Yes, maybe some people will think that creating a blog makes me look less authentic artist. By some people, I may or may not mean some of the faculty I encountered during my time as an undergraduate art student. In order to reframe this, I consider why I should let those voices have the power to stop me? I’m choosing to write for myself, not for them. I want to develop a writing practice parallel to my studio practice that allows me to work through ideas in my art and share my personal perspective as a young, female artist and art educator. I have purpose, and this purpose strengthens, not weakens my identity as an artist.
Doubt 3: Writing isn’t my thing. What if it’s trash?
Yes, I haven’t written creatively since, I’m not even sure, but I’m a competent writer with a growth mindset. While I may take a while to compose and edit, I know I’m capable of this challenge. My words might not always be the most eloquent and my grammar will certainly not be perfect, but I will be honest and reflective.
Doubt 4: What if I can’t generate enough ideas after I start?
Yes, I will hit writer’s blocks, but as an anxiety warrior, I have a countless number of thoughts and fears and questions in my head at any given moment. I know that my tendency to overthink things will provide abundant blogging material, and I’m going to own that!
Doubt 5: Who is going to care what I have to say?
This one is the scariest for me. Besides my dad who, let’s face it, praises my artistic work unconditionally, is going to read this? Although I am primarily writing this to strengthen my own artistic experience, I would be lying if I didn’t say I wanted my writing to resonate with people. I want to share my experience to inspire other artists and make meaningful contributions to a dialog about art and mindfulness during a time of rapid change in our culture.
So, here I go on this new journey. I hope you’ll follow along and find, at the very least, entertainment in my thoughts and stories. Today, I hope you find inspiration to re-frame your self-doubt and do something that scares you.
XOXO
Bri