Top tips from creatives on how to tackle those common work anxieties

Whether we think we’re not good enough or constantly compare ourselves to others, as creatives we often fall down the rabbit hole of fear. It’s not surprising given how everything we make is displayed and that we exist in such a competitive field. Every day we’re bombarded with amazing work from others, and while that’s mostly inspirational, it can also worry us that we’re being left behind.

However, demons in our heads are just that. They are critical inner voices that are not real. So what are these common work fears and how do we deal with them? There are many ways we can overcome negative thoughts. Below we share some examples of typical things we tell ourselves and follow some advice from artists and designers on how to surpass them.

“I’m not good enough. I’ll never be successful.”

Ah, that big ol’ dose of impostor syndrome. It happens often to the best of us. It’s a classic demon telling us that we’ll never achieve anything because we’re just crap at what we do. Of course the opposite is the case.

Brighton-based illustrator Connie Noble says: “I get so scared when things don’t work! Every month I’m like, ‘Oh wait, everyone’s noticed that I’m actually trash,’ and then something nice happens — I get a job, or a nice reply, or a nice message, or someone in real life says something nice — I have now started taking screenshots of things.”

Connie is right. Keep a treasure trove of nice emails, cheery reviews, and kind comments – one to fall back on whenever that particular voice strikes. “I keep a little folder of nice messages on my phone — a note where someone I didn’t know personally addressed my work, or an email saying an Art Direct was free. It’s easy to forget how many we all get into our careers and only focus on the negative,” she says.

“Everyone is doing so much better than me.”

LinkedIn can be a minefield for unhealthy comparisons. Scrolling through the feed to see how great everyone’s performance is enough to throw any sane person over the edge. And then when you read through those comments and congratulate others on their achievements, you may get chills.

You need to remember your own success and talent. And repeat this truth: We’re all on our own path, so what’s the point of comparing ourselves to others? “The people I often compared myself to at university have very different skills. I remember they probably feel the same way about their work too,” says designer Katie Price. “But sometimes it’s general fear, and in this case it’s not a voice; it’s a creative shutdown. Slowing down and taking a breather was my only answer.”

Artist Michelle Heron admits that she sometimes finds Instagram challenging: “It allows me to compare myself to other artists. I see a colleague being chosen for an exhibition and I’m starting to think that my work isn’t as good as theirs or maybe I don’t fit in somehow. I think it’s common for artists to feel like outsiders.

Michelle admits she often takes breaks from social media when it gets too much. “I remember all the great shows I’ve been cast for in the past,” she says. “Or I’ll apply for new opportunities whenever I get a rejection just to keep moving forward and not wallow too long. Chatting with artists also helps.”

“Comparison is the thief of happiness,” artist, writer, and broadcaster Ben Tallon reminds us. “The world has always been full of arguments, but incessant information and the media (aimed at capturing you with dramatic headlines) make things seem much worse. So avoid doom scrolling – the science of it shows why we feel so disturbed afterwards. Manage your time on social media,” he says.

“Why isn’t this person following me on social media or liking my stuff?”

You’d be surprised to learn that even the biggest names in design suffer from this particular insecurity at any age. Instagram may offer an opportunity to showcase our work and make nice connections, but it can also fuel the flames of our fear. We may be reading too much into things. Worry we said something wrong. Or even feeling flabbergasted that we haven’t been inducted into the elite inner circle of design gods.

Let’s tackle “the ladder” first – the so-called hierarchical system. It does not exist. You understood me. Ok, there are “big names” in every industry, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t one of them. Because when you step back and realize that most people are just as insecure as everyone else, trying to assert their place and succeed, you can relax — even chuckle at the absurdity of it all. The truth is that we can all be good at life. You just have to ignore what others think, focus on your strengths and strive to do better. Also, some of the best artists and designers I know are people you’ve probably never heard of.

With that deep thought, I move on to my second point: You can’t control how others feel or what they do, but you can control how you react. “I break problems into two categories: those I can do something about and those that are out of my control,” says Matt Corvis, a Hampshire-based illustrator. “If it’s something I can’t do anything about, worrying about it won’t change the situation. So I relax.”

Sheffield lyricist Jess Peace agrees and encourages us to find the source of our fear. “When I can identify why I’m uncomfortable, then I ask myself, ‘Can I change it? Is it rational? Is there evidence to support this notion? If the answer is no, I know the thought is intrusive and will eventually pass.”

What if she can’t figure out where her insecurities are coming from? “I go for walks, listen to music and avoid social media. But in general I try to counter every negative “what if” with a positive one. Imagining the worst-case scenario, the best almost always puts things into perspective!”

The world has always been full of strife, but incessant information and the media make things that much worse. So avoid doom scrolling – the science of it shows why we feel so disturbed afterwards. Manage your time on social media.

“What if the client hates my work or the project fails?”

This voice is particularly taxing as it can stifle creativity. “Usually, when my inner critic comes out, it’s just like, ‘What if you don’t like it?'” says copywriter Jonathan Wilcock. “At that point, I remind it that I’m happy with that. It fits the bill, we’ve allowed time for changes so we’ll see. Then I call that inner critic a moron.”

We like this last piece of advice: move away from the demon within by treating it as a separate entity that has no power over you. (More on that later…)

“I’m always scared of completing projects,” agrees Matt Lamont of Out of Place, a Bradford-based design studio. “Wondering if there are any downsides to implementing and handing over (I never had). Overcoming by always juggling multiple projects to keep the mind active. Break everything down into small tasks. And to search the design archive to manage breaks.”

When all else fails, designers Hilton-like has a reality check. “When the negative voices creep in, I remember one simple fact: it’s just graphic design. Nobody dies if I do something wrong or my customer is not 100% satisfied. Then I step back, distract myself, and come back to do it later with a fresh mind.”

“My work is not good enough for art and design blogs or to share on my own feeds.”

Ah, the fear of rejection. We all suffer from this. It’s not surprising that artists and designers are concerned about sharing their work with publications like Creative Boom for fear that their submission will be ignored or criticized by others once published. Not to mention the stress of adding projects to Instagram only to see engagement drop spectacularly. It means we freeze and don’t do any self-promotion at all. And that’s not good for business.

“When you get stuck, it leads to doubt and fear,” says Sheffield-based architect Satwinder Samra. “This is a normal part of any creative process. We all feel that. But always share your work with others when it comes to life. It avoids overthinking and really helps. Remember to make, share and reflect. Repeat.”

And if all else fails? Miza Firdaus adds: “When I’m tense and freezing with fear, the simplest things are always the best solutions. But one thing that has helped me the most is affirmations like ‘This feeling is uncomfortable and awkward but I can accept it’. It allowed me to take my time and just be.”

Speaking of engagement on platforms like Instagram, Ben Tallon says, “Recent algorithm changes have been a great reminder to me that all of these platforms are not our property, so ultimately privilege. Although I still use them, I’ve refocused on my website, mailing lists, and building relationships directly.”

Conclude

We all have this critical inner voice. It doesn’t matter how successful we are or whether we’re further along in our careers, these common fears can always enter our minds. But there are several tricks you can use to keep them at bay, as detailed by the creative community here.

Our advice is to associate these voices with a character. It could be a chimp, demon or gremlin. Whatever works for you. Then give it a name. This will help you instantly detach your inner critic from the more rational side of your brain and disconnect it from reality. Talk to him and put him on the stand. This is a subtle trick borrowed from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called cognitive restructuring, where you see if there is any evidence supporting your internal negative thoughts.

The truth is that these thoughts are not fact. These are insecurities – stupid things we tell ourselves when we’re feeling down. So shout back your inner gremlin, tell him to shut up, and then here’s the icing on the cake: Tell him something positive instead. For example: “Don’t be silly, Gavin! I am more than capable of tackling this project. I’ve got ten years of experience behind me and I can handle anything.” Or “Shut up Stacey! The low number of likes on my last Instagram post doesn’t reflect my range of skills and talent. It’s just the stupid algorithm that changes, fool!”

you get the picture Turn your inner critic into a character. give him a name Put him on the stand and demand proof of his ridiculous statements. And then speak back to it with self-love, self-compassion, and positivity. And always know that everything will be fine.