Why is it so hard to ‘just do it’ even when that ‘it’ is something that you love?
I am about to exhibit a few of my paintings in a local cafe (Living Water Satisfies in Crystal Palace) to try and raise some money for charity and to basically put some of my work out there. Now the actual thought of this terrifies me for a number of reasons (which I won’t go into here), but it got me thinking about how long I actually put off just painting (I’m talking over 15 years) even though I really, really wanted to and why?
I think the main reason we don’t do the things we love is due to fear.
Fear of the unknown, of being judged, of being criticised, of being wrong, of not being good enough, talented enough, strong enough…. and so we procrastinate, we talk about all the things we are going to do to others but never take action, we listen to our fears and believe that we are better off not even trying as it can only mean embarrassment. Overwhelm ourselves by trying to do too much too soon, so that frozen by endless possibilities it’s easier to do nothing or get carried away so far ahead into the future that you look at the mountain ahead and ask what’s the point?
I’m not saying I have all the answers…. But what helped me was to Feel the fear and do it anyway. No I’m not an expert, experienced or technically trained artist. I’m just a mum, with a messy house and noisy kids and a corporate career that demands most of my time and energy. But underneath it all, behind all the roles and labels and masks there’s me…. the dreamer. Who can’t ignore the funny images and words and bright colours that are just there beneath the surface waiting to be set free onto the page. So i allow myself to play, to let go, ignore the inner critic and just enjoy the process.
Be kind to yourself and make one small step in the direction of what you love. I am a firm believer that once you take that first step towards your dream the whole universe conspires with synchronicity to help you acheieve it.
Love Jo x
