For as much as I love chatting with y’all about biz tips and branding techniques, I am so grateful that this blog serves as an intentional little corner of the internet for some long overdue real talk. Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about topics like hustle, failure and wholehearted living, but today let’s talk about something we all wrestle with but never address – the lies we tell ourselves as creatives. Subtle or monumental, discreet or earth-shattering, the unfortunate reality is that we are all carrying around lies with us every day that are hurting us, holding us back, and stopping us before we even start.
I get emails from creatives more often that I’d like to admit who tell me they feel they aren’t smart enough, talented enough or innovative enough to make it in this industry of self-starters. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s all around us. Every day, we go about our routines telling ourselves lies, both big and small, that limit us.
We tell ourselves that we aren’t good enough, creative enough, or qualified enough, so we squash our ideas, underprice our services and beat ourselves up.
We believe that our ideas aren’t worth pursuing, so we don’t even start.
We convince ourselves that we’re too quirky, playful or introverted to successfully make industry friends, so we don’t even try.
The lies we tell ourselves have become so consistent and are such an ever-present part of our routines that we don’t notice them anymore. They’re sitting there stealthily, sneakily whispering from the comfort of your shoulder. And because we take them at face value, we allow them to be a persistent part of our lives. So day in and day out, we carry these lies around with us until they become so heavy that we are immobilized by their power.
Enough, sweet friend. These lies only have a place in our lives because we allow them to. We continue to entertain them, fuel them and give them space in our hearts. It’s time we started to fight back, to banish these misguided beliefs far from our hearts and heads. When we choose to believe that these lies have no power over us, that we are courageous, capable and creative beyond measure, then we can break free from a dangerous mindset that holds us back.
What is that one lie, or gang of many, you’ve been allowing to take up space on your shoulder and whisper in your ear? How different could you live look if you kicked it to the curb? Although it takes courage and is a choice we must make every day until that sinister voice is a distant memory, it’s a battle worth fighting, my dear. I wholeheartedly encourage you to take a stance against the lies that are vying for your heart. Your brave, beautiful and tenacious life is no place for false limitations and hurtful untruths.
Do you need some encouragement as you fight hard against the everyday lies that have been weighing on your heart? Please shoot me an email at bonnie (at) bisforbonniedesign.com! I would love to chat with you and send some love your way.
Love this! Very all very true and well said.
Love this! Very true and well said 🙂 Love your blog x