Drawing Connections
Insights from psychology and cognitive science on making art and thriving as artists
Is it really fear we feel when we are in situations where we don’t know what we’re doing? Reframing “fear” in this context as “confusion” can help us identify a broad range of strategies for what to do when we feel out of our depth.
Is it fear that artists and writers feel when facing the blank canvas or page? Reframing fear in this context as uncertainty about how to make a start or keep going can help us identify concrete ways to become unstuck.
Sometimes what we label as fear is really uncertainty, confusion, or vulnerability. Read on to learn how reframing fear can lead to problem-solving solutions that are more useful than the vague encouragement to “be brave.”
Your brain’s tendency to keep reminding you of unfinished tasks can leave you feeling overwhelmed. But you can use the mental pull of the unfinished to your advantage in jumpstarting your day or starting something new.
Are unsolved problems rattling around in your brain and keeping you up and night? You can work to quiet this ongoing mental activity or you can harness it by calling on your subconscious for a problem-solving assist.
A quirk of human cognition is that we are much better at remembering the things we haven’t finished than we are at remembering the things we have. This can leave us stressed out and feeling unproductive. What to do?
Always trying to do your best can keep you from getting things done.
Limiting choices can give your brain a rest and, paradoxically, increase creativity.
“How do I motivate myself?” is the wrong question to ask.
I have been interested in observing people and making art as far back as I can remember. Now, I’m combining these interests in my new blog.
Is it really fear we feel when we worry about what other people think about us or our work? Reframing “fear” in this context as “vulnerability” helps identify a range of useful strategies for thriving in an uncertain social environment.