Let's be honest - that blank canvas, empty page,  or abandoned project sitting in the corner of your room? It's not just collecting dust because you're "too busy." There's a knot in your stomach every time you think about actually creating something, putting yourself out there, and risking judgment or failure. That uncomfortable feeling has a name: FEAR.
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​And while most of us think fear is creativity's biggest enemy, we're here to tell you something that might surprise you - fear and creativity are actually dance partners, not sworn enemies. In fact, learning to work with your fear instead of against it might just be the key to unlocking the creativity life you've been dreaming about.

Fear is a fundamental, protective emotion experienced in response to perceived danger or threat, triggering physiological and psychological changes, and often leading to behavioral reactions like the "fight-or-flight" response, which is part of the automatic trauma response.

This definition reflects a common understanding of fear as an acute and intense experience, but in reality, the impact of fear permeates life beyond a single moment in time. And a fear response can be triggered by past traumas, real or imagined dangers, and social constructs.

Fear is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of emotional responses manifesting from the underlying energy of fear - such as anxiety, stress, worry, discontent, insecurity, uncertainty, and general unease or discomfort.
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​Those who operate from this energy are wearing "fear colored glasses" and view the world from a fear-based perspective. If you wear these glasses frequently or for prolonged periods of time, you will likely experience a number of negative health effects, mentally and physically, due to heightened levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which we know as chronic stress.

Operating from the level of fear is also linked to substance abuse, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Over time, these negative health effects compound and diminish your ability to develop and maintain healthy relationships and create.
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​This is a common problem. About 20% of the US population over the age of 18 has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and less than 40% receive treatment. Additionally, anxiety is on the rise and has increased by about 10% since the 90s.

Our natural fear instinct has evolved along side humanity as a way to keep us alive, but in our modern world, we have constant awareness of all people and events through social media and unlimited access information on how people live have created an overexposure to social stimuli. 
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​There is an obvious plus side to this exposure. It has allowed us to become more informed of different walks of life and become more accepting and open-minded. But it comes at a cost. And that cost, in many cases, is fear.
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​Given that we are social creatures we have a need to create social bonds and since those social surroundings have significantly expanded just in the past 30 years with technological advances like access to personal tech devices like phones and social media it puts an excessive strain on our survival instincts that drive us to find belonging within groups.

The problem is that these advancements in technology are moving at a much greater rate than the evolution of our brains, meaning we haven’t adapted to these higher levels of social stimuli.
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​And this is especially problematic for those who operate from a place of fear.

People who have experienced childhood trauma are uniquely vulnerable to operating from a place of fear. This is also referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs and can include abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or a caregiver with mental health problems, substance use, or imprisonment. ACEs are common. Approximately 64% of adults in the United States have experienced at least one ACE before age 18, with nearly 1 in 6 reporting experiencing four or more.

People who have experienced social or relational trauma in childhood are more susceptible to anxiety or fear because healthy connections were either not created or were broken during childhood, which generates a subconscious drive in attempt to heal those wounds or resolve this disconnect in adulthood.

At its core, these childhood traumas cause a separation from love by severing connection to primary caregivers and/or other family, which is then internalized and can cause a disconnect from oneself. In reference to love, this is not how when often understand it, but love as an energy. It is a state of being, expressed through unconditional respect, appreciation, compassion, forgiveness, nurturing, and support. Separation from love erodes the sense of safety and security.

At some point, honest self-expression was a threat to survival, so this disconnect is a protective measure resulting in a fear of emotional vulnerability.
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​In our modern society, being exposed to so many different ways of being may be anxiety-provoking and trigger feelings of overwhelm and confusion. You may become hindered by fear of rejection, fear of judgment, or fear of criticism, which can cause difficulty with decision-making, setting boundaries, and communicating, as well as challenges in forming meaningful and fulfilling connections with others. This can also manifest as perfectionism and controlling behavior as a way to manage anxiety. Check out Episode 43: Embracing Perfectionism for more on this topic.

This is a macro view of what may be happening, but it plays out on a micro level within our close social networks and intimate relationships. On a micro level, it negatively impacts intimate relationships and has a profound effect on women and how they operate with a partner or spouse.

This could look like molding yourself to the fit within the life of an intimate partner by adopting their interests, adjusting your lifestyle to match his, trying things you may not otherwise, dismissing concerning behaviors, ignoring red flags, avoiding confrontation/conflict, or reluctance to communicate feelings and honest thoughts regarding yourself, your partner, or your relationships.

You may expect that the antidote to fear is courage, but really, it's love. If trauma is, in essence, a separation from love, healing is a return to love.
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​To love in this way means...

This process also requires courage because it can be scary, confronting, uncomfortable, and vulnerable. So, both fear and love are supported by courage.
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​And this is where creativity comes in.

Conscious creativity through artmaking brings awareness to the internal environment, allowing you to explore and understand “the self” and the relationship between yourself and the world. Through intentional creative practice over time, these revelations will enable you to take responsibility for what you have control over: YOU.

The reason creative expression is such a powerful tool is that the creative process allows for vulnerability (honesty). This is necessary to develop healthy, fulfilling connections with “the self” and others.

​Creativity is an expression of the self, and as such, the creator is vulnerable. Anything you create is an extension of yourself, and therefore, you are what you create. To create means to “put yourself out there,” leaving you exposed and vulnerable.

When you first begin your creative practice, you can expect resistance to the process. Why? The subconscious mind is trying to keep you safe, and one of the easiest ways to do this is to avoid emotional vulnerability.

Several factors can cause resistance, but it can be addressed and worked through in the art.

Past Trauma
It is not necessary to reflect specifically on past traumatic experiences in your art because these experiences permeate your current life and how you show up in the world, so they will inevitably come up; so, hesitation is natural and expected. As you become aware of how these past experiences show up, they can be processed through the art, similar to Exposure Therapy. This involves gradually exposing yourself to situations or memories that you find frightening, in a safe and controlled environment, to learn to cope with your fear and reduce your response.
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​Belief that Vulnerability is Weakness
​The truth is that when you practice vulnerability, you may feel weak, but it is a necessary part of the process. Much like when you first start exercising, you become aware of how weak and unfit you are, but you have to go through that to get stronger. The art provides support for that feeling of weakness. It provides a platform and a container for this experience within the art - it can be covered over, thrown away, or destroyed without consequence. Try not to be reactive or careless, but rather intentional.
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​Shame and Embarrassment
This could be linked to Adverse relational experiences, which often breed shame, guilt, regret, grief, and anger. Your creative practice is a safe space to express these things, and you must allow them to surface…and they will.

All of these express themselves in resistance.

“I can’t draw, I’m not creative, I don’t have time, money, etc.” This is fear disguised by excuses. This can also appear through avoidant behavior, procrastination, and business. This is the ego’s first line of defense. “Whatever you do…don’t look at it.”

Ask yourself again. What is the opposite of fear? Love and courage.

1. Commit to your creative practice
​Set an intention and identify your purpose. Create a plan and get clear about why this is important to your.
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​The intention may be to develop a creative practice that is manageable and easy to maintain. Your purpose will run deeper than that. Understand the reasons behind your desire to relinquish fear and embrace your authentic self. They may include: 

2. Take action with micro expressions
Gradually increase your level of vulnerability by starting with small, manageable steps.
Small drawings reflecting on the day or answering one question. How am I feeling? What happened today that bothered me? What made me anxious, nervous, uncertain, or uncomfortable?

3. Shift your focus
We often don’t create because we have placed too much emphasis on the product - the product that must be valued by others. People living in fear (a trauma response) cannot tolerate this level of vulnerability and become paralyzed and unable to take action. Stifling creativity over time. This is an attempt to protect the self from experiencing the same pain they went through in childhood.

To manage this, shift the focus from product to process…

For these individuals, creating art with no intention of showing others provides a vessel for this experience. You give yourself the space to express and reflect on your creation, and in doing so, you face yourself and meet yourself. Through the process, the artist can practice self-love and compassion. Art making is a container for this experience that is less confrontational, less scary, and slightly more comfortable.

Make no mistake... it is not easy, but it is necessary. To make it easier, we turn to love.

1. Make time and space for your practice
​It takes time and space for your subconscious mind to rise to the surface. The creative process allows for space and time with yourself, when normally we move too quickly to take notice. We often don’t heal because we don’t prioritize our time in this way. We stay busy. Use the time to really listen.

As you create, your self-talk will present itself through comments about your artwork, your abilities, and yourself. With this awareness, you give yourself the space to challenge them. It is important to question what comes up, get curious about it, rather than accepting it as fact.

2. Practice self-compassion
Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially when reflecting on difficult emotions and uncomfortable interactions or experiences.

As you reflect on daily life and practice creative expression, your triggers become apparent, which allows you to explore underlying fears.

Recognize and accept your fear of vulnerability as a natural human response. Notice how you respond to these fears. Note your thoughts and beliefs around them, and practice challenging Negative Beliefs.

3. Identify your needs
As you listen to your internal environment and reflect on your fears, your needs emerge. Take responsibility for your needs by acknowledging them and attending to them. You can even ask yourself while you create…what do I need?

4. Seek safety
The process of uncovering these things can be ungrounding and disruptive, so it is imperative to prioritize your safety (emotional safety) and sense of security. Become aware of your surroundings and remove anything that triggers you as much as possible. These may be things or people. Another reason people often do not create and heal is that they don’t feel safe. Take control of your environment and be intentional about what and who you allow into your space.

When you create, be in a safe place, and protect your creative practice because this is a vessel for creativity.

The creative process is a practice for gradual self-disclosure, allowing you to become more comfortable with authenticity. You will notice that the more you engage in conscious creativity, the more sensitive and aware you become of yourself and your surroundings, and you learn what is safe and WHO is safe.

It would be nice if overcoming fear was one-and-done, but it's not. It is an ongoing process that requires support and reinforcement. There are many ways to achieve this:

Surround yourself with people who are understanding and accepting. Who can provide a safe space for you to be vulnerable?

Take time to journal before your creative practice to get in touch with your internal world (thoughts and emotions). It can also be helpful to journal afterward as a way to reflect on what you created. Sometimes the meaning you made prior to drawing will be different from the revelations reflected in your artwork.

Learning about your emotions and how to manage them can help you to be more comfortable with vulnerability. When you write and reflect on your experience, practice labeling the emotions you feel. This can improve emotional intelligence and support self-expression and communication. When the time comes to be vulnerable with others, you will have practiced doing so and can communicate more effectively. Use an Emotion Wheel to put words to your feelings.

Being present in the moment can help you to better understand your emotions and fears. Artmaking in and of itself is a mindful practice, but adding other types will improve your ability to stay present when triggered by utilizing various skills. Mindfulness exercises can include meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, moving meditation, grounding skills, breathing techniques, or a simple mindful moment.

During this show segment, we introduce four ways to interact with the material presented: A question to answer, a quest to complete, an aspect of creativity we've noticed this week, and a quote to ponder.

How has fear gotten in the way of your creativity?

Reflect on your fear and make one drawing.

Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. While triggers generate negative energy, glimmers stimulate positive energy. Like the song from The Sound of Music, "My Favorite Things," glimmers are the little things that bring joy - raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens... Simply remember your favorite things and then you won't feel so bad!

"Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light."
​- Brene Brown

ADAA: Anxiety Disorders - Facts & Statistics
​PennState Health News: How Childhood Trauma can Affect Health for a Lifetime
​VeryWell Mind: The Psychology of Fear
​VeryWell Mind: How to Be Vulnerable
​Reality Decoding: The Symmetrical Emotional Wheel Explained