Accentuate The...Negative (Part 2)

Accentuate The...Negative (Part 2) Sing Out loud Every Day print by pleasebestill Yesterday I ended Part 1 of this post by asking: So how do you embrace you? How do you allow yourself to be vulnerable, and not only hear the positive comments but embrace them, letting them guide you to creating your best work having fun in the process (because, let’s face it, it’s never a good time with a vampire on your back)? I got some great suggestions, like keeping track of your successes compliments (from Joanne) not letting perfection get the best of you (from Eduard). Here are some other ideas for ya: Start a Good Things folder on your computer, or in a notebook. Store every positive comment you get (every one!) somewhere that you can pull out look at it when that vampire’s about to sink their teeth into you. Don’t be humble about it â€" it’s for your eyes only. (Joanne, I swear I wrote this prior to your comment. Great minds!) Keep a Gratitude journal. It’s tough to accentuate the negative when you’re focusing on the positive. Add something new to it every day, when you wake up or when you go to bed. If someone in particular has contributed to that Vampire â€" a teacher that criticized your work, a parent that told you that you’ll never make it as an artist â€" write that person a letter tell them how you feel. How did their comment(s) affect you? Feel free to be brutal or jerky to them, because when you’re done you’re going to destroy the letter however you want. Write over it in black marker, rip it up into tiny pieces, burn it, bury it. And then walk away from it. Ah, sweet release. If comparing yourself to others is your Vampire, then write or draw or paint how you differ from them. What do you bring to the table that’s uniquely you? Why would someone buy your work not theirs? Don’t be afraid to honor the work of these other people by commenting on why people would resonate with them as well. This is to really find your unique voice see what you can amp up to ensure that you’re working as yourself. Fill in the blank: “I would do ___________ if I wasn’t scared”. It might be an item or two, but it might be a whole list. You might want to elaborate on why you’re scared of doing it, answer that with why you want to do it (not why you “should”. I hate that word!). Once you see it in writing, I guarantee it’ll loosen those chains. Start a Positivity List! It can be My Proudest Accomplishments, or Things That Make Me Happy, or Reasons to Celebrate. Or any number of other things. Just start it. Drink in a compliment. If it’s contained in an email, read it two or three (or ten) times. If it’s coming from someone orally (that’s what she said), then force yourself to really listen respond with just a “Thank You.” Send an email to the friends family who know you love you almost unconditionally, ask them why they find you inspiring. My friend client Sophie Hainsworth inspired me to do this, the emails I received from everyone are words I’ll always cherish. Yes, you feel kind of like an ass asking, but the great thing is that you respond to everyone who answers as to why they’re inspiring. Spreading the love, people. Are you good enough, smart enough, goshdarnit, do people like you?  Then take it to heart learn to trust it. Just knowing it is enough to turn that Vampire to dust.