Most creatives I’m familiar with know these challenges all too well.
Are you Neil Gaiman, Beyoncé, Banksy, Alex Guarnaschelli, or any other recognizable creative celebrity? I’m going to presume the answer is no (however, if yes, thanks for reading!)
Unless you have reached a level of recognizable success as a creative – be it writer, painter, chef, singer, sculptor, woodworker, and so forth – you have many challenges and struggles. Before they were recognized as successes, I bet those people had similar experiences (and still probably do, too).
Below is a list of 10 challenges that I have no doubt most creatives are familiar with. I’ve experienced most, if not all of these – or something like them.
There is no shame in this. I am sharing because I believe that it helps us to see how none of us are alone with these challenges.
Why? Because being a creative tends to be somewhat lonely.
Who else is in my head envisioning the stories I write? Nobody. And even when I share them – only I am aware of the whole vision and complete picture. That can make a person feel super alone.
Hence, I present here the 10 challenges that artists, writers, and other creatives know all too well.
Challenges we know all too well from without
1. Your family (and some friends) doesn’t get it
I know that my family loves me. But I also know that many of them don’t get me. Or why I believe that my art is what I am meant to pursue in this life. This is also true of some of my friends, too.
2. People imply you aren’t doing real work
When you pursue your art as a career, it doesn’t look like a normal job. You likely don’t commute to the office or work out of a cubicle. Odds are you also collect pay in a less-steady manner. People might not say it directly – but they imply that your work is not real work in the manner of society’s standards.
3. Marketing and sales are tough
If you are an indie author or without an agent or other representation – you’re not just a creative. You’re also the marketing, sales, and promotional departments. That can be super tough.
How do you market your work to gain sales? How do you promote yourself to become known? These are formidable matters that can be challenging and frustrating.
4. Friends and family don’t buy your stuff
I love my friends and family. And if every single friend and family member I had on Facebook bought at least 1 of my books – I’d have better numbers on Amazon and earn a more sustainable income. I’d be able to rely on my other jobs much less.
I know my work is not everyone’s cup of tea (or shot of whisky). But it can be frustrating when book sales are not happening as I’d like them to be.
5. You’re an unknown in a crowded field
How many indie authors are there? Standing out in the crowd (without sticking out) is a challenge.
Challenges we know from within
6. Brain weasels tell you lots of unpleasant things
Brain weasels – or squirrels – are those niggling thoughts that often come loaded with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and other negatives. They tell you that you’re not good at your art, that you’re not as creative as you think you are, and all kinds of disheartening and distressing negatives.
Brain weasels lie. What they tell us is not the truth. But ignoring them is a challenge.
7. Self-doubt and imposter syndrome
I’ve self-published a dozen novels. I have two awaiting editing, one more nearly finished, and 9 plotted but unwritten. Still – I question if I’m truly a writer or just an imposter.
Maybe this goes away with more income and recognition.
8. Ebb and flow
Sometimes the ideas come fast and furious. Other times, I struggle to get the words onto the screen – or even find them in my head.
This contributes to self-doubt and imposter syndrome, too. Writing “full-time” is not a 9-5, 8-hour-a-day gig. So, when I don’t have a “full day” of writing – it feels problematic.
9. Losing faith
I would love to have the name recognition and related success of Neil Gaiman, Anne McCaffrey, George RR Martin, and the like.
Despite having 12 published works of sci-fi, fantasy, and Steampunk – I am not even close to their level of recognition. Sometimes it’s easy to lose faith in myself and what I am doing and can do.
I am a creative. Storyteller, writer, world-builder, etc. But keeping the faith and belief in myself and what I am capable of can be difficult.
10. Self-care feels selfish
I don’t earn a normal salary with what I do. Hence, any form of self-care – such as taking an extended break or a vacation – can feel selfish.
Creatives know all too well we’re not “normal”
No, I can’t speak for every artist, writer, chef, singer, sculptor, metalworker, etc. But I suspect that nobody who pursues the arts or creative endeavors considers themselves “normal.”
Why? Because the work we do doesn’t fit into society’s expectations of a normal life. We don’t go to the office, earn our income working 9-5, nor produce goods and services for everyone everywhere.
Yes, my art is accessible to all. But it’s not going to appeal to everyone – and I know it. There is plenty of art, stories, and music that I love – and equally as much I don’t care for.
Reconciling ourselves with this ties into all 10 of the challenges that I’ve presented here. While I know I don’t speak for every creative or their experiences – I’m certain many recognize and are familiar with what I am sharing.
The reason they are challenges rather than problems is that they make us stronger when we work with or overcome them. We gain insight into our internal workings as well as other people. This is part of how creatives are different from everyone else. We tend to be more introspective – but that in turn makes us better observers of the world outside of ourselves.
Hence why these 10 challenges can and will make us stronger. They open us to greater creativity.
These 10 challenges we creatives know all too well make us better creatives. Because to overcome them – and work with them – we open ourselves to things in the world that can and will make us stronger. Smarter. Wiser. And better equipped to help others overcome similar challenges.
Your mileage may vary. But if you, like me, are a creative – how do you work with these and other similar challenges you encounter along your chosen path?
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