Creatives: Switch off that critic inner voice
Don't be your own critic when you're in a creative moment!
We all have that inner voice that wants to chime in and judge our work as we're doing it. This little voice often whispers things like, "Hmm, this isn't very good. What am I even doing? I'm not sure I am going anywhere with that creating..." I used to do this a lot, especially when I was writing. However, after taking several courses on creativity, writing, painting, and more, I've learned the importance of silencing that inner critic.
As long as you let that little voice interrupt your creative process, you'll encounter several problems:
1. You won't fully enjoy the creative moment, which could eventually lead you to give up on your artistic pursuits. It is emotionally draining to be constantly in an analytic mode!
2. You won't be able to get into the flow, that magical state where you lose yourself and become a creative genius.
3. Whatever art form you're practicing, whether it's painting, writing, or computer science, will remain controlled, constrained, and your end result will be somewhat modest. You won't push your creativity to its full potential because you're stuck in your head. This means you're creating from a rational standpoint, which is the opposite of what we truly desire as artists.
In my opinion, creativity should stem from an emotional, intuitive place. Your conscious mind should switch off, allowing your subconscious to take the lead. Read on to learn how I switch off that annoying voice of mine!
Shutting off your inner critic when creating can be a challenging but rewarding process. Here are some of the strategies I use to silence that critical voice:
Awareness: The first step is to recognise when your inner critic is active. Pay attention to the negative self-talk and self-doubt that arises during your creative process. Awareness is the key to making a change. No need to judge — otherwise you’re adding another layer of judgment. Just take note that it is happening.
Gratefulness: Be grateful that you have this “safety” mechanism of judgment towards what you create. It has been useful in the past, and it is relevant at moment. So don’t despise that part of your mind. Just be grateful and decide that you’ll use that inner voice at a future useful time.
Separate Creation from Critique: There are two distinct phases in the creative process. The first is the creation phase, where you generate ideas, experiment, and let your imagination flow freely. The second is the critique phase, where you evaluate and refine your work. Keep these phases separate. When you're in the creation phase, focus solely on generating ideas without judgment.
Embrace Imperfection: Accept that not every idea or creation has to be perfect. Perfectionism can stifle creativity. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and produce imperfect work. Remember that it's okay to create "bad" art because it often leads to growth and improvement. I wrote a blog post on that specific point.
Positive Affirmations: Counteract your inner critic with positive affirmations. When negative thoughts arise, consciously replace them with affirmations like "I am a creative person," "I trust my creative instincts," or "I am capable of producing great work." Make sure you take a minute to feel how it feels to say that in your head or out loud.
Have some light distraction in the background when you create: I heard this tip from other artists, and it works amazingly for me. Whenever I feel my inner voice is too strong, I put on a mildly interesting podcast or TV show. Choose something not too engaging (otherwise it’s too distracting) or a program you’ve seen before. Having something going on in the background switches off maybe 20% of my brain, which means I don’t overthink what I am doing.
Create for Yourself: Focus on creating for your enjoyment and personal satisfaction rather than seeking external validation. When you create for yourself, you're less likely to be overly critical because you're meeting your own creative needs.
Create for the Process: We hear this all the time — but I feel I am only truly understanding this at 42. The journey is the destination: if I have fun when I create, then it’s good enough. It doesn’t matter if the finished piece is good or not, or if it sells or not. I felt good when I was creating it, and that is the point of creating. This really helps me switch off the inner critical voice. (See my blog post about this!)
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your creative achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Recognising your progress can boost your confidence and quiet your inner critic over time.
Silencing your inner critic is an ongoing process, and it may not happen overnight. I am constantly working on it. Be patient with yourself and continue to practice these strategies to nurture your creativity and create with more freedom and joy. You’ll get there!
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