I just started reading Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear". I sheepishly acknowledge i'm a bit late to the party as it was published in 2015. She talks about the courage it takes t to bring the creative treasure within you to the surface and that it is scary scary scary.
Somehow her acknowledging this helped me to feel less scared. It also made me reflect on how I dance (and sometimes get trampled on) by my fear.
One strategy is to feed the creative/dreamer part in me so that it's warmth and energy makes the fear feel smaller. This might be through reading about creativity, watching a film, writing or doing some character prep.
Another way is to commit to creating before I consume. Only after i have created something (even if just 15 mins of writing) do I let myself anywhere near the Gram or any other content.
Curious to hear your take on how you gather the courage to live a bold and creative life?
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Hi, Alexandra Stevens. I don't think I've thought about that before. I guess I just do it.
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Alexandra Stevens I think a lot of us can relate to that dance with fear, especially when the creative path feels uncertain or vulnerable. I love the idea of feeding the dreamer inside you so that fear doesn’t get the loudest voice. And committing to create before you consume? That’s such a powerful shift in energy, it honors your own voice before letting the world flood in.
For me, courage often looks like consistency over confidence. I may not always feel bold, but I’ve learned to keep showing up anyway, even if it’s just to move the needle a little that day. I also try to surround myself with community, spaces like this one remind me I’m not alone on this journey.
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Thanks for Ashley Renee Smith . Yes i think you've nailed it with trying to show up anyway. Not to mention the benefits of connecting with a wonderful community like Stage32
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I really appreciate this question Alexandra Stevens and I need to read that book. I have to admit, fear of the unknown was a big factor of pursuing my creativity when I was younger. I know the reason I haven't made a living as an actor, is me. There is always something that I allow to come first, whether it be a conventional job, a relationship, etc. That has to do with me not putting me first. It has been soul crushing. I am not afraid to let my creativity out, I am of not having a security blanket first.
I have done a lot of work on myself the past few years and I have come to a place where I can honestly say I am no longer a slave to fear. (I am going to get that tattooed on my arm). I like you, put boundaries on myself. I don't turn on the tv until I accomplished everything on my list for the day, working out, networking, reading, etc. I make a point to consistently post on Instagram and I am blessed that my job requires it. Having to post a 9 stories and 6 posts for trivia every week challenges the creativity.
Now after recent events in my personal life, I made the choice to make pursuing joy my number priority. If I am doing something for money that doesn't inspire joy and feels more like a chore to me, I ask myself why am I doing this? I think consistency is key too. I do what brings me joy and I trust the Divine to honor that choice and the money will follow. Baby steps. Those baby steps lead to more opportunities. It's okay to be scared. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Everything you want is on the other side of fear.
I guess that is a part of aging. The older you get the less effs you give. So I have finally said FU to fear and gone all in on pursuing joy. I really think that is the key Alexandra, what Maurice said. Don't think about it, just do it.
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Erik David yes deep words indeed. Sometimes even though I know that in theory it's not so easy to deal with the scariness of taking bold creative steps in practice. Looking at your profile I smile as I see lots of boldness, from wanting to be an astronaut at a young age. How did you get comfortable with the idea that fear is a delusion, i'm curious?
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Suzanne Bronson thanks for your thoughtful and generous sharing. I can really relate to what you say about wanting a security blanket before you take a creative risk. I'm trying to reframe this to myself as, making the creative bold step leads to the security blanket and not the other way around. I feel like saying 'yes, yes!" when you talk of deciding to focus on joy. I"m sorry about the recent events in your personal life but also sounds like they got you to a critical point where you decided to no longer carry on as you have been. I feel like i have been going through something similar. Sending you lots of positive vibes for joyful creative success and abundance!
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oh Alexandra Stevens you make me cry. XOXOXO
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To quote Franklin Roosevelt, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. "
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Awww Suzanne Bronson bless! Look forward to catching up with you soonxx
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Erik David wow I appreciate your deep thinking! I imagine you have gained these nuggets from lots of experience. The part of me that believes in manifesting does not like the idea there is no such thing as free will.......
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The amount of commitments one has determines the amount of time you can commit to creativity. Re, must feed the family. So a clock in and out time is good to organise.
Being popular/commercial, following the trends, helps pay the bills but many times is not fulfilling if you value pure creative freedom. Market economy.
Not caring what people think about you is a great skill to have but can inhibit self growth if unwilling to, at least, acknowledge positive feedback and look at yourself constructively.
My story is that I'm not very popular at all and had to wait until retirement to produce what felt good inside.
So be happy dancing in front of the mirror if that is your only audience. Our need to seek attention from our peers in a born trait but not so necessary in modern society, unless you want to make lots of money.
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Whoops, still learning how to post here. My apologies
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Grant Lyon thanks for your wise words and nice to meet you! I got intrigued and checked out your profile. I got confused by 'Nobody In Particular" but saw it repeated on your LInked In so assume it is the name of your company? I also looked at you Famer da Grant. How come Laos? You come across as a humble creative who is focussed on doing what feels good to them rather than outside validation. That takes courage!