Creative Wellness Letters - Why should you share your art?

Hi Reader,

How do you feel about sharing your art?

If you’re like me, it probably varies, depending on lots of factors like how much energy you have that day, your overall mental health, what your last experience sharing was like, etc.

You’ll have varying levels of positive energy and bravery around sharing, and that doesn't change its worthiness, even though that's how you might see it at different times. Our brains can be very fickle!

Even if you're not new at sharing your work, there are times when it might be suddenly scary, whether it's the first or fiftieth time. This is totally normal and very human - our art is an extension of ourselves, so it can feel quite vulnerable.

You might be questioning, "Is this good enough to share?"

You might feel ashamed because you think it's not good enough.

You might be afraid of what other people will say or think of you.

(Also all normal!)

Our brains want to keep us safe and surviving, and that's great, but the more primitive parts of our brain can't actually distinguish very well between a grave threat and a smaller one like this. 

So, knowing that, you could say to yourself, "I'm feeling really anxious about this. Wow, my brain is working really hard to keep me safe right now. Thanks, brain, for doing your job." I find that really helpful to acknowledge when I'm feeling anxious about something.

As you may have guessed, I’m very pro-sharing, and love encouraging others to do the same (that’s kind of my job as a creative coach). 

In the latest episode of Being A Whole Person, I ask, “Why should you share your work?”

(I’m asking this as a question, rather than a “Here’s why you should…”, because I’m not into should-ing you, of course!)

The good news is that you can make sharing your art gradually feel more comfortable just by doing it more often, proving to your anxious brain that it is indeed safe to do. 

Sometimes this involves the “rip off the Band-aid” approach and/or tricking your future self by creating accountability through committing to show your work.

There are so many reasons why sharing your work is really rewarding and appealing, despite possible mixed feelings:

• Sharing your message, perspective, and values
• Engaging in self expression and sharing your true self / your soul with the world
• Helping others who will enjoy and/or find meaning in your art
• Recognition feels good (nothing wrong with that!)
• Getting people to buy our work / making friends with self promotion
• Getting feedback and learning from that feedback
• Finding spiritual connection and deeper understanding
• Connecting with like minded fellow artists with common interests
• Informing people about what you do helps make them think of you for more fitting opportunities and collaborations
• Practicing getting comfortable with sharing
• Inspiring others - bravery is contagious!
• Inviting others to share with you as a communal experience

(…and more!)

If there's something that you've been on the fence about sharing, I hope that this has given you a bit of courage to step up and do it!

I also hope you’ll join us at Creative Show + Tell on Thurs. 11/17 from 2-3:30pm PST! (It's free to attend.)

All types of creations are welcome, from old to new, and unfinished work is especially welcomed - come for encouragement, feedback, and to chat with other friendly artist folks.

See you there?!

How are you feeling about sharing your art lately? I'd love to hear any reflections you may have!

Stay well, my friends - I'm always rooting for you. My inbox is always open, so please feel free to reach out if I can help in any way. 

I always love hearing from you!

Have a lovely week! ⁠

Rebecca

• If you're in the U.S. and you still need to vote, VotersEdge.org is a super helpful site for researching and comparing candidates!
• Finding Trust in Uncertainty - I loved Margeaux Feldman's latest newsletter and am always trying to practice this skill.
• I was delighted and honored to play in a concert with Berkeley Choro Ensemble and Echo Chamber Orchestra in September, and the concert videos are up, in case you need some fun music today!

• E68: Why Should You Share Your Art?

• E67: Approaching Creativity Like A Scientist
  

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