Does a Blank Canvas or Page During Your Creative Process Ever Frighten You?

This is perfectly normal, and something I think all creatives encounter.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

I’ve never met another artist, writer, painter, woodworker, or any other type of creative who hasn’t been “blocked”, uncertain, or otherwise lost.

You take a look at the blank page or screen, blank canvas, raw wood or clay, and nothing is coming. The ideas and creative juices just seem not to be flowing. It’s very distressing.

For some, it goes a step further. It’s frightening.

You can’t face that blank slate without a sense of trepidation, concern, discomfort, and that might even extend all the way out to fear.

This is a perfectly normal happening. The intimidation of creation — whatever your medium might be — can be scary.

What’s more, probably, you don’t even realize that you’re dealing with fear.

What are you afraid of?

This question, in this context, is specific to your creative process.

For many, sharing what you create can be scary. That’s one thing. But sometimes, just beginning is terrifying in and of itself.