You Don’t Have to Criticize Your Art!
If you’re any sort of creator, there will be times that you aren’t satisfied with your work. However, in my experience, it’s best if you can learn to stop criticizing your art.
Hoping to do better next time or practicing a specific skill in order to take your work to the next level are part of the process, but putting yourself and your work down don’t have to be.
Think about teaching a child to ride a bike: If you yell at them and criticize them, they’re not going to want to continue. Instead, you treat them with love and kindness and give them the support they need. You deserve the same treatment as someone you love.
How to Stop Criticizing Your Art
What should you do if you’re in this habit? I practice Intuitive Painting, which means I (try to) paint from a place of stillness and quiet. Guess what? There aren’t any critics there.
If you’d like to get to that same peaceful place, there are some steps you can take.
(Want to watch a video instead of reading about it? Hear ya go)
Steps to End Criticism
Step One: Notice That You’re Doing It
You can’t stop something if you don’t know it’s happening. Most likely you’re aware of it, though, if you’re reading this.
Step Two: Come Back to the Present Moment
You’re going to hear me harp on this A LOT. If you’re in the moment, it’s highly unlikely you’re putting yourself down. Also, life happens in the present moment, period. When you’re criticizing your art it’s likely you’re projecting to the future and deciding you’ll *never* be good enough. Come back to now.
Step Three: Take a Few Breaths
Do it right now. Breathe in. Blow it out. Breathe in. Blow it out. Drop your shoulders when you exhale. Breath in. Blow it out. Soften your face. Let yourself relax with each breath.
Let yourself feel better. Let yourself create from stillness and calm instead of fear and agitation.
Step Four: Speak to Yourself with Kindness
Speaking to myself kindly has become a huge part of my personal self-care routine. It feels so good and I highly recommend you try it. Say something nice to yourself right now. Here are some ideas. (Yes, I speak to myself as if I was someone else/a small child. Try it, it feels good.)
- You’re doing a good job
- You’re learning and growing every day
- I’m proud of how far you’ve come
- Keep going! You’re getting better and better
These types of kind words are especially helpful when you’re in the midst of putting yourself down. Again, think of how you’d strive to talk to a child you were teaching to ride a bike, or a dog you were teaching to sit.
Step Five: Break the Negativity Spell
Sometimes you literally get stuck in a brain rut where you’re anxious and fearful, and to break that spell you might have to go do something else. Trying looking or going outside, taking a walk, talking to a friend, doing a more relaxing creativity activity, or going to sleep.
If You’re Intrigued By The Idea of Intuitive Painting
I’m passionate about intuitive painting for myself and teaching it to others. Below you can sign up for a guide and free mini class to get you started.