Ok, so this past year I placed and won an award in a pretty prestigious art competition. One of those fancy ones where you have to pay hundreds of dollars to even go to the art show and sale, and the auction bids can get pretty crazy. It was for charity though, so I didn’t mind the high price stuff related to it. This was definitely the most “high-brow” art show I have been a part of.
Now they have announced that the first year’s show was such a success that they are doing the competition for 2020 too. I plan to enter and am excited about it, but also really nervous and filled with self doubt. I keep feeling like if I don’t place at all next year or at least place as high as I did this year that I will somehow be failing.
I tell myself this is ridiculous. There are so many talented artists out there and if I don’t place again it won’t mean that I am less talented, it will only mean that they preferred someone else’s take on the contest subject matter. Also, I want other artists to feel the happiness I felt when I found out I had been selected as a winner. I don’t want to be selfish.
I know deep down this is probably about my perfectionistic streak and low self-esteem. Part of me feels like it was just a lucky fluke to be recognized by the “elite” art world at all. I wish I could not put this unnecessary pressure on myself. I know it isn’t healthy or helpful. Any suggestions for how to let go of the fear of failure?
Maybe since you’ve already ticked the award off your to-do list, maybe you could try to set a different marker for success this year, like raising a certain amount for charity from your art.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a good idea. Maybe a different kind of goal would be a good distraction from worrying about the other stuff.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats Maranda. Focus on the positive and don’t worry about the results, as we don’t control the outcome, just our efforts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sadje ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations! Pretty impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Maranda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To be shown at all is a huge win. I’m impressed! Art is such a personal thing. How do we even manage to put a price on it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
True. Good way of looking at it.
LikeLiked by 1 person