Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk - Life lessons from Creatives

Artwork by Mary Kate McDevitt

I knew about The Jealous Curator for a few years. ( For those who don't know it, it's a blog about emerging and newly established artists by Danielle Krysa). However, only a few days ago, I started reading her book "Creative Block," a collection of interviews with artists about their creative processes, daily struggles, and inspirations. This book was not a random choice. September is a huge month for me when it comes to decision making. Not only am I changing my geographical location but also I quit my daily job, so it is a multi-layered tower of newness and the unknown. It is very hard not to project too much into the future without being terrified of the possible scenarios of what may go wrong.

When I enter this dangerous state of mind, which turns on the emotional alarm mode, I try to look for consolation in a particular kind of self-help books. I am not even sure you may call them so. I look for everything written on the pains and doubts of a creative life. Artists are most convincing when it comes to overcoming fear, being stuck in a rut and fear of failure. They go through it every day, and for me, they are always successful. It does not matter whether they are well-known, their art is sold at the best galleries for the incredible amounts of money. They succeed because they continue making art. They do not give up! The best example of that attitude is a quote from Krysa's second book "Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk."

"There is a saying in the acting world, 'An actor must have the skin of elephant and the soul of a rose.' I think that's a good advice for any creative person. Developing a thin skin is not about crushing that part of you that is sensitive and open to the world - that's the part that makes you need to create. But what defines that "thick skin" and makes you a professional is your ability to keep putting yourself out there in spite of the feeling out-of-place. All you can do is walk back out there next day. And the day after that. And the day after that."

After I had read the interviews in Krysa's book, as a part of a self-coaching exercise, I re-read answers to variation of one question she asked all of the interviewees: "Do you discuss things with your inner critic?", "Does you inner critic ever get to you?", "Does your inner critic ever have an opinion?". Inner critic, this domesticated monster, the inner beast of doubt, a nightmare in our heads whose voice sometimes seems so overwhelming... We all have it, but we deal with it in so many different ways. A friend of mine used to repeat after Scarlett O'Hara: "I will think about it tomorrow." and the same way, her inner critic was naturally silenced. Some people ignore it as long as it is possible, others succumb to it almost all the time. It was so refreshing to read and compare how creators of art deal with it on an everyday basis. It cheered me up that there is a way to tame it and keep doing what you like to do without letting it drive the vehicle of your existence.

I started thinking that the problem of "inner critic" in creating art could be a separate subject of a great book. Funnily enough, just when I thought that, I found out that Danielle Krysa wrote a new book, which will be available this October. Guess what the title is: Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk.! I cannot wait to read it to find additional consolation for my severe internal criticism. For all of you who have great ideas but worry about the outcomes, reactions of the nearest and dearest, a perception of your thoughts by others, remember "YOUR INNER CRITIC IS A BIG JERK"! Follow your instincts and inspire others!