Overcoming fear and the impact your words have on others
The reason why I am posting this is because I met a young woman in an art therapy session who started crying when she was asked to start to draw.
I comforted her and asked her what the reason was why art or created things made her so emotional. Important to know is that the young woman was 23 years old and suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). In tears, she told me that all her teachers told her to not pick up a pencil because she can’t draw and that creative things are not her thing. She was very good at sports and almost went to the Olympic games a couple of years ago. Her family always discouraged her from doing creative things because it was "just not her thing". To be honest, she was not particularly good at drawing when I asked her to draw a basic eye for me, but how could she if she never tried? This whole thing made me very sad and frustrated because I just couldn´t understand how teachers, friends, and family could hurt someone so bad that they get so emotional about painting a canvas in red.
Art has such a special place in my heart I and I know how much it can help people. I sensed that she wanted to be good at it but just didn´t dare to try. I asked her if she wanted me to sit down with her and teach her step-by-step how I draw an eye. In the beginning, she was unsure because anything that involved creativity made her frustrated, but I convinced her. The next day she proudly told me she bought drawing paper, which was a huge step for
her. This all might sound silly to some but if your confidence is so damaged by other people the small things matter.
On a Saturday we met up and I sat her down and told her to trust the process, anyone who does any form of art knows, that during the process every work has a so-called "ugly phase". We sat down for six hours, and I took her through the drawing process. We did not finish but we did the first half and guess what, she was able to put her inner critic’s voice aside and relaxed while drawing.
After she told me that she now understands how I am in a trance state when I draw. She had some moments of critical thinking but together we there able to overcome them. One of the greatest things about this experience was that she was proud. Proud of the fear she has overcome, proud of quieting her inner critic’s voice, and proud of the work she has created. This is something she struggles with a lot. I cannot tell you how proud I am of this young woman and her courage to try something completely out of her comfort zone. I will add the picture of the unfinished eyes and will not tell you who
did which one, that’s for you to figure out! But remember she has never really drawn before.
I want to say with this post that firstly, art is not a talent you are born with. It takes time, dedication, and perhaps just a very patient friend or teacher who will not lose hope in you. Secondly, sometimes it is worth stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on the things you are most scared of, just to show yourself you are stronger than the overconsuming fear in you. Lastly, I want to remind you, especially teachers, parents, and friends what an impact you have on their people’s life without knowing. Remember to be kind because you never know what the other person is going through.
So don´t let others tell you what to do or what you can and can´t do! If you want to learn how to draw then put the time into it and don't give up just because one artwork didn´t turn out well. Take a step back and look at your work again and sometimes it even helps to turn the work upside-down and look at it from a couple of meters away!
Do you ( if yes why) think you can´t do art?
Leave a comment below!
Stay creative- Vicky <3
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