Damned is the artist who abandons themself

Every creative knows the feeling. That nagging voice that says, "Maybe I’m not good enough," or "This won’t work."

As creatives, we face doubt daily. It’s the constant tug-of-war between our ideas and our fears. The real failure isn’t in trying and stumbling—it's in walking away. The moment you stop showing up for yourself is the moment you lose.

Why Abandonment is the Enemy

The world needs your art. Your voice, your story, your perspective—it matters. But if you give up on your journey, no one will ever experience the magic you were meant to share.

Abandoning yourself doesn’t just mean quitting a project. It’s in the procrastination, the perfectionism, the avoidance. It’s when you put off starting because it’s easier to stay in the realm of "I could," rather than stepping into "I did."

How to Stop Sabotaging Yourself

1. Embrace the Ugly First Draft
   Every masterpiece starts as a mess. Get comfortable with creating bad work. It’s the path to greatness. Write, film, or design without worrying about how it looks. Just get it out.

2. Create Without Expectations
   Let go of the idea that every piece has to be your magnum opus. Sometimes, a project is just a stepping stone. Don’t be so attached to the outcome that it paralyzes your process.

3. Get Over Perfectionism
   Perfectionism is just fear in disguise. It’s the voice telling you, “If it’s not perfect, it’s worthless.” But perfection doesn’t exist. What you create today will be better than what you don’t create tomorrow.

4. Show Up Every Day
   Woody Allen said, “80% of success is showing up.” The same applies to creativity. Success is in the consistency. Set a schedule, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day, and stick to it. You’ll be amazed at how the momentum builds.

5. Surround Yourself with Inspiration
   If you're stuck, it's time to change your environment. Visit an art gallery, binge-watch films, read something that challenges your worldview. Let inspiration find you while you’re busy moving forward.

6. Find a Tribe
   Creativity can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Find like-minded individuals who can cheer you on, provide feedback, and hold you accountable. Whether it’s an online community or a local meet-up, surround yourself with people who are on the same journey.

Start Small, But Start

It’s easy to think that everyone else has it all figured out. Spoiler: they don’t. We’re all winging it, figuring it out as we go. The key is to start. Even if it’s rough, even if it scares you—start.