Overcoming the Fear of Rejection: Tips for Artists

As an artist, it can be intimidating to put your work out there and risk rejection. But the fear of rejection can hold you back and prevent you from sharing your work with others, which can be a major barrier to building a successful career. So how can you overcome your fear of rejection and start sharing your work with confidence?

Here are a few tips for overcoming the fear of rejection as an artist:

1. Remind yourself that rejection is a normal part of the creative process. It's natural to want your work to be well-received, but the reality is that not everyone is going to like your work, and that's okay. Remind yourself that rejection is a normal part of the creative process and that it's not a reflection of your worth as an artist.

Minda Zelton explains it more in her article “4 Reasons you should love hearing ‘No’” Here

1. Seek out supportive communities. Surrounding yourself with supportive and encouraging individuals or groups can be a great way to boost your confidence and help you overcome your fear of rejection. Consider joining an artist group or community, or reaching out to other artists online or in person for support and encouragement.

You can also use the encouraging spaces of these groups to learn how to become comfortable with constructive criticism while sharing tips and tricks to help you improve. Some of my favorites are: www.artsation.com / www.deviantart.com / https://www.artistsnetwork.com/

1. Practice self-compassion. It's easy to be hard on yourself when your work is rejected, but self-compassion can be a powerful tool for overcoming the fear of rejection. Instead of beating yourself up, try to be kind and understanding to yourself, and focus on the things you did well rather than dwelling on the negative.

This is without a doubt my biggest struggle. All it takes is for me to think something I’ve done or made isn’t good enough, and I’m beating myself up and thinking about how I’ve never been nor ever will be good enough. The fact of the matter, though, is that no one starts by creating masterpieces. You also don’t have to produce the greatest piece of art ever, to have a successful career with it.

1. Set small goals and build up gradually. It can be overwhelming to think about sharing your work with a large audience, especially if you're afraid of rejection. Instead of trying to take on too much at once, try setting small goals and building up gradually. This could mean starting with a small group of friends or family or sharing your work on a small scale before going bigger.

It’s vital to always remember that progress is progress, no matter how small. It’s better to make little, than no progress at all.

1. Find ways to build your confidence. Building your confidence can be a powerful way to overcome the fear of rejection. This could involve things like seeking feedback from trusted sources, practicing your craft regularly, or finding ways to celebrate your accomplishments and successes.

My favorite confidence booster is either the unexpected compliment or the “Wow”. And while we all love the “Wow”, the unexpected moments of, ‘I wish I could draw like that.’

Or ‘You’re so talented’ are also massive wins. These are the moments when, without prompting, others are telling you that you’ve come further than where you were. You can do things that others can’t. Don’t get caught up in where you want to be, to the point that you forget how far you’ve already made it!

Remember, overcoming the fear of rejection is a process, and it's important to be patient and kind to yourself as you work through it. By reminding yourself that rejection is a normal part of the creative process, seeking out supportive communities, practicing self-compassion, setting small goals, and building your confidence, you can start sharing your work with confidence and overcoming your fear of rejection.

In the end, it comes down to one question. “Why not?” Why not share the post, why not show off your art, why not do exactly the kind of art you want to do and let the world see it? Fear is the only real reason. So be brave, and share it anyway. Because in the end, life is far too short to let fear make your decisions or hold you back!

And just in case you’re wondering, all of this advice is just as much for me as it is for anyone else. It’s hard to take the leap, but you’re never alone in that aspect either. If you notice that I’m not posting much myself, I would appreciate you asking me ‘Why not?’