Never let fear, stop you from doing something amazing!

It might surprise you to find out I'm not a particularly confident person, really I'm a scaredy cat!  I worry that my art is not worthy of sharing, that my ideas and techniques aren't interesting enough for any one to bother reading or watching, I worry about not being original enough and honestly putting myself out there - being open to ridicule, resentment, criticism and abuse is not an easy thing for me (or anyone really). 

When you see me at craft shows or classes I'm usually happy bubbly and zinging, what you all don't see is the massive bout of panic that hits about an hour before going 'live' which results in a manic frenzy of activity, getting hot, flushed cheeks and double checking everything!.  Now I don't have a problem talking to an audience, I have a problem with the idea that there might be NO audience to talk to, or that in person I won't live up to the expectations people have of me!  I know - I'm weird. I've actually taught a few classes that were seriously the wrong thing for the wrong audience - where no one was interested in what I was teaching - seriously the day from hell!  Now I ask way more questions about the audience before I start planning a class.

So it's taken some time and several stern talks to myself, but I'm finally beginning to relax, there will always be people out there who don't like me, or what I do, or how I do it - I'm assuming most of them wouldn't bother paying to see me in person, or would just un-subscribe.   SO now I still make sure I'm organised (it would be unprofessional not to be) but I try to have fun as well, chat to people, maybe even learn something from those I'm teaching - basically relax and enjoy being surrounded by people who love (and are a little obsessed) with the same things that make me happy.  Don't get me wrong - this still scares the pants off me, but I don't let it stop me!  It's the same thing with scary BIG opportunities, I hear the little voice that says - why would people be interested in you, you don't have anything interesting to say, no one will want to listen!!!  There are days when this little voice is almost overwhelming, but I'm learning to listen to it, then continue on with whatever it was I wanted to do anyway.  For me:

Courage is not the absence of fear,
it's continuing on even when your heart is pounding,
your palms are sweating and your legs
are shaking so badly you don't know if you can take a step without falling
- but deciding to try anyway!
Kate Palmer

So in short, be afraid - it's natural to feel fear when trying something new, doing something different or putting yourself out there.  Just don't let the feeling of fear stop you from doing something you really want to do!  So pull on your big girl panties and do something scary today - post that page that didn't quite turn out the way you wanted, share that drawing that was less than perfect, say YES to the big scary opportunity you've been given, don't let fear be the reason you DIDN'T do something!

I'd love to know what scares you and what do you do to overcome it?

Sending big sparkly hugs your way,