The Jellyfish Is the Voice of Resistance
If you've been trying to beat resistance as an artist, this blog will help. First, we have to talk about the voices in your head.
All creatives have voices in our heads. I’d like to formally introduce you to one that might sound familiar.
This voice is the one that comes on when you sit down to start making something, whether it’s a painting, a poem, a new dance step or guitar riff.
This voice says things like this. You’ve got a great idea there. And you should work on it.
But not now.
The kitchen is dirty. There are clothes to wash, dogs to wash, goldfish to feed. You need to fold the laundry. Look at that spot on the counter! At least wipe that up before you start. Don’t you need a cup of tea? Did you return that call to your mother, yet? Did you answer the email from...
If you aren’t careful, this endless list of things you need to do besides work on your art will grab you in its tentacles and sting you until you’re too paralyzed to begin.
Meet the Jellyfish
The Jellyfish is the voice of Resistance. It’s the voice that says there are too many other terribly pressing chores/tasks/people to talk to/spills to clean up, and all those things need to be handled before you can make art.
Does this voice sound familiar? If so, I’d love to hear how it shows up for you. Email and tell me.
I’ve talked a lot about the voices in your head that keep you from doing your art. So how do you beat resistance as an artist? The way through these voices isn’t yelling at them, denying them, or trying to affirmation them away.
When you're trying to beat resistance as an artist, making friends is more valuable than beating yourself up
Weirdly, just like in marketing, making friends works with the voices in our heads too.
If you want to start making friends with your inner Jellyfish, there are directions here about how to start.
You never know where your next friend might come from.
Your work matters. It may be counter-intuitive but to beat resistance as an artist, you don't have to beat yourself up when you don't do your work.
If you are a creative and you want to get your work into the world, here are five ways I can help you.
#1 Start by watching the interviews I’ve been doing with artists, to see what other creatives do to get their work out. I’ve been interviewing an artist every week, first on Instagram Live, and then on Zoom and posting the recording to YouTube.
Next you can:
#2 Read these posts about how to start handling any trauma you’ve experienced in getting your work into the world.
#3 If you are ready to start selling your art, Download my cheatsheet: Keep Calm & Sell Something. Follow the directions in there, and tell someone else you’re doing it so you can be accountable to them. While you begin working with your trauma, the best antidote to pain is companionship and connection.
#4 If you want to make yourself a day job (which means starting a business), get a copy of my business plan book for creatives, Passion, Plan, Profit, and find someone, or better, three other someones, and go through the book together. The book tells you how to work in a group or in pairs, and you can download the worksheets in the book here. Companionship and connection again.
#5 If you want guidance, book a free 15 minute chat with me here and I’ll get you pointed in the right direction.
Let me know in the comments below, has the Resistance jellyfish kept you paralyzed?