Last year, I read a book entitled ‘The Artist’s Way’, written by Julia Cameron. Within the book, Cameron discuses a challenge that many artists face. And that is the challenge of being a ‘Shadow Artist’.

‘Shadow Artist’ is a term used to describe creatives who deny themselves of their own creativity. Simply put, they are non-practicing artists. Writer Carl Jung uses the term Shadow to describe aspects of ourselves that we do not fully embrace or acknowledge fully.

As much as I would not have wanted to acknowledge such, years ago, there was a point in time when I would have been defined as a Shadow Artist.

It’s important to remember that the Shadow Artist in us is a scared artist. It is her inner critic and negative beliefs that really play at her heart. So the worst thing we could possibly do is to overwhelm her with expectations, demands or perfectionists attitudes. Certainly, that will send her running for the hills.

Remember, your artist is a child. Find and protect that child. Learning to let yourself create is like learning to walk. The artists child must begin by crawling. Baby steps will flow and there will be falls—yecchy first paintings, beginning films that look like unedited home movies, first poems that would shame a greeting card. Typically, the recovering shadow artist will use these early efforts to discourage continued exploration. —Julia Cameron

Here are a few tactics I have used that worked well for me.

• Go gently and slowly – it doesn’t happen overnight
• Be open to learning and growth – it is a journey
• Kick perfectionism to the side – it has no place here
• Accept fear – it will be your companion whether you invite it or not
• Make it YOURS – it is YOUR journey, YOU don’t have to follow anyone else’s script

Taking the leap to embrace and pursue your passion can feel hella scary! But I guarantee you it will sooth your soul and you’ll be glad that you did in some way shape or form.