Community and Confidence: The Backbone of Creative Success
- signedizzy07
- Mar 4
- 4 min read
How much of a factor is confidence in the outcome of our creativity? A summer spent roaming through many museums left me often wondering, “How did THAT get in here?” The answer is usually audacity. The audacity to create and the audacity to show it to others.
This willingness to stand behind yourself and the things you produce is what fuels success. An excerpt from my journal that summer breaks it down: “My lack of creativity is a mindset thing. I don't know why I think I need to be perfect at something or care what people might think. I noticed that some of these million-dollar pieces aren't the best, but the artist didn't think so. Their confidence in their own artwork convinced others to think the same.”
By switching off this restricting mindset that's so worried about how your work will be perceived by others, you tap into this new version of your creative self. When you create with this philosophy, you'll foster an unwavering authenticity.
Nothing Good Comes Easy; Community is no Exception
With authenticity comes community. But how? When you put your truest self out there, the people you'll attract will be those you can confidently say support you for you. Not this version of yourself or your work you've crafted to fit an idea of what others “might” like. It's definitely easier said than done.
Being unfiltered and unapologetic can feel valuable at first. Especially when faced with individuals who don't feel as strongly about your work as you do. Nevertheless, it's important to remember that you can't be everyone's cup of tea. Rejection is part of the journey towards success.
The community you uncover from this is certainly worth the hardship.
“We are not meant to survive, but to thrive together.”
— Bell Hooks
Be Your First and Biggest Fan
This creative support system I'm talking about is built by initially supporting yourself. Pushing the boundaries of confidence not only internally, but also externally. The way you speak out about your creative process is magnetic. This is where the audacity comes in.
Whether something is true or not, if you say it enough times, you'll subconsciously believe it. That applies to you as an artist and also to those who are consuming. So, be intentional about what it is you say, and more importantly, how you say it. Why dumb down yourself and the value of things you produce to make others comfortable? Speak highly, and you'll find yourself attracting those who feel highly.
Community is great, but a community built with genuine wonder, infatuation, and support is a rare privilege that starts with you.
Differentiating Support and Praise
In the beginning, when you're met with support, or rather interest, it's important not allow your want for validation to interfere with the necessity of belonging.
Praise is great, but we are so often met with it once all the work has already been done, and all that's left to consume is the product. Think about the kind of people you want to be surrounded by during the process. Through the ups and downs, rough drafts, and awkward phases. The kind that can question, critique, and leave you wondering. The kind that don’t only say “that's great" then walk away, but ask what's next and how they can help.
More attention doesn't always equal more support. An intentional community is what sustains creative growth in the long run, while short-term validation just fades. Finding the people who fill your creative cup goes deeper than most of us think.
How Community Makes it Possible
If you asked me last year when I was planning on displaying my painting for others and possibly profit from it, I would've said never. Not only was I unconfident in my work, but I was also afraid of the seemingly daunting task of self-promotion.
Now this goal that felt impossible feels so in reach. Because it is! Not just for me personally, but for every creative. Why, though? What changed?
Between now and then, all I did differently was step out of my comfort zone. On a whim, I decided to attend a Studio 42 Event. The people and artwork filling the space left me feeling inspired to create, pushing me out of what was going on to be a six-month creative drought. Let's just say I needed to know how to be involved.
Simply reaching in admiration led me to opportunities, information, and resources I never expected.
Taking the time to advocate for yourself by connecting with collectives like Studio 42 (S42) and having the courage to put yourself out there will open doors to opportunities you never thought possible.
You'll meet people you otherwise wouldn't have, further building your creative support system whilst also becoming an addition to others’. You'd be giving yourself access to tools and resources that'll pour back into your work.
Community increases quality, or at least that's what I believe. It pushes you to show up as your best self while simultaneously promoting growth with advice, support, and so much more.
Let confidence lead you
The answer to how much of a factor confidence plays in the outcome of our creative success is way more than you would think.
The only way to curate this rich community is by initially having the confidence to put yourself out there for others to find and enjoy. And before even that, is having the courage to create in the first place.
Confidence creates authenticity that will then cultivate a community who go on to inspire creativity.
Don't let fear stop you from experiencing these possibilities. Rather, allow confidence bordering on delusion to pour into everything you put out. You never know where it'll go, who it'll inspire, and where it'll take you!
