The past few weeks, I’ve been struggling with a bit of a block. I couldn’t get the King!Jensens to where I wanted them to be and it affected EVERYTHING! I realized it wasn’t really the Jensen’s it was me. The block was with my creative side and not with the Jensens. Until I realized that, I kept changing the Jensens thinking that was the issue. I went from this.

To this..

And finally I realized that the issue was me so I went back to the original design that I loved. Once I did that, I was able to get so much done simply because the creative juices were now flowing. Part of the issue, I realized, is that I was micro judging. By that, I mean judging the entire pop based on this incredibly small view of one particular area. When I do that, and forget to see the bigger picture (or in this case, the entire design that works together) I tend to focus on tiny things that aren’t “perfect” and it colours the entire project. When I step back and take the entire thing as a whole, and remember that being handmade means that there WILL be imperfections and that is part of what makes them good, I can progress and remember the joy from the art, instead of the need for perfection.

How do I stop it from happening? Got me! My hope is that I get better about recognizing when it’s happening so I can catch it sooner sooner and change my view. Finding the different things that have helped, and adding them to my artistic toolbox helps too. Things like

-making a new prototype

-changing up what I’m working on. From Pops to Vinyl to Wood to Jewelry

-taking a project that has been stumping me and just doing it. Getting that off my to do list helps.

-organizing my work-space or cleaning my area

Each time I go through this I am a little more empowered and a little more comfortable with my art. I deal with Impostor Syndrome in a lot of areas of my life. The thoughts that I don’t really deserve any recognition and that people are just humouring me come through when I get a block. Every time I pull myself through it gives me that much more solid of a footing in my own creativity.

We all have doubts. Every. One. Of. Us. Never forget that. Remembering that can help push you through when those scary voices raise their head.