The fear of the Blank Page

Hello, creative thinkers! Welcome back to The Stress Less Pencil mini-pod, your quick dose of creative inspiration. I'm Lorena, here to help you navigate the twists and turns of your creative journey.

Today, we want to confront a common creative challenge: the fear of the blank page. Whether it's a literal blank page for a writer, a blank canvas for an artist, or any starting point for a project, that emptiness can be intimidating. It represents the unknown, the possibility of failure. But it also represents infinite possibilities.

So, how do we conquer this fear?

Step one: Acknowledge it. Understand that this fear is a natural part of the creative process. Every artist, writer, and thinker has faced it at some point.

Step two: Start small. Don't aim for a masterpiece on your first go. Scribble something, anything. Write a random word, splash a bit of paint. The goal here is not to create something perfect but to simply start.

Step three: Embrace the process. Remember, creativity is not just about the end product. It's about the journey, the exploration, the learning that comes with each stroke, each word.

Here's a thought to ponder from author Neil Gaiman: 'You learn by finishing things.' So, for today's challenge, I want you to start something. And then, take it one step further – and aim to finish it, no matter how small or imperfect it is.

Share your beginnings and your completions with us at the Stress Less Pencil on Substack and Instagram and let’s celebrate the courage to start and the triumph of finishing.

In our next episode, we'll explore the whimsical world of doodling and how it can unlock creative thinking. Until then, I’m Lorena, reminding you that every masterpiece begins with a single mark.