15 Ways Artists Doubt Themselves – And Why You're Not Alone
Have you ever found yourself wondering if your work is good enough, if an idea is worth pursuing, or if you’ve lost your creative spark?
Self-doubt is something every creative faces at some point. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, that inner voice questioning your worth, your work, and your path can be loud and persistent.
So, What is Self-Doubt?
Self-doubt is that feeling of uncertainty about yourself or an outcome, wondering whether things will work out in your favour, or if you’re capable of handling what’s ahead.
The brain doesn’t like uncertainty. It prefers clear-cut answers: black or white, yes or no. Grey areas make it uncomfortable. Its main role is to keep you safe, so when faced with the unknown, it defaults to caution, not courage. Every new idea or goal gets run through an invisible “health and safety check” first. This is hardwired into us. But that doesn’t mean we’re stuck with it.
Here’s the dilemma: we are wired for both safety and growth. We crave novelty, creativity, and expansion. So we’re often caught in an inner tug-of-war. One part of us wants to stay comfortable, and another part is itching to leap into the unknown. That inner conflict is where self-doubt thrives.
But let's be clear, self-doubt isn’t always bad. It’s your mind checking whether you have the efficiency to take the next step and get the job done. It can drive you to improve your preparation and performance, question situations, and solve problems.
Trouble happens when it becomes your default state and is left unchecked, eroding your self-confidence, increasing stress, and preventing you from making the progress you desire.
15 Sneaky Ways Artists Doubt Themselves
Let’s call out the classics:
“Is my work even good enough?”
“Is this idea worth the effort?”
“What if I’ve lost my spark?”
“It has to be perfect.”
“I feel like a total fraud.”
“What if people hate it?”
“Who do I think I am, calling myself an artist?”
“Can I really make money doing this?”
“Is this price too much?”
“Will anyone actually want this?”
“What will people think?”
“Should I make what people expect instead?”
“Am I staying true to myself?”
“Maybe I should just get a real job?”
“What’s the point of all this anyway?”
Sound familiar?
If you recognise any of these, you’re not alone. It’s completely normal to experience self-doubt. What matters most is how you respond to it.
Do you listen to the doubt and retreat into your comfort zone, or do you acknowledge it and choose a more balanced, realistic inner dialogue that reflects your true capabilities?
How to Overcome Self-Doubt
To move forward, we must stop fearing self-doubt and start seeing it for what it is: a natural part of growth. When approached with awareness, self-doubt becomes a powerful opportunity for learning and self-improvement.
The key lies in the beliefs we hold about ourselves, and the willingness to challenge and reshape them.
The number one advice I would give is not to believe your thoughts as 100% true. The problem isn't the self-doubt, as I've mentioned previously, it is a normal process of the mind., The problem starts when we believe them as completely true without questioning them.
When we don’t stop and check for the positive evidence that the self-doubt is not true. To look for evidence to back up your unwavering self-belief in yourself, that you can do it, that you are good enough, that you can charge what you want, and that you deserve to be at this event.
→ When do you listen to your self-belief?
→ When do you practice self-belief self-talk?
→ When do you stop and remember all the wins, the progress, and the growth that you have gone through to get where you are today?
→ When do you remember that you are amazing and start to give yourself the encouraging support that you would give to others?
✍🏻 Exercise: Remind Yourself Who You Are
Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come. Write down every success, no matter how big or small, that has brought you to where you are today.
Now, think about the challenges you’ve faced. The tough moments. The setbacks. The times you weren’t sure you’d get through, but you did. Write those down too, along with how you overcame them.
These are evidence of your inner strength, courage, and resilience. They’re proof that you can handle more than you think.
Whenever self-doubt creeps in, come back to this list. Let it remind you of everything you’ve already conquered, and everything you’re still capable of becoming.
Final Thoughts
The biggest shift comes when you stop believing every thought your brain throws at you.
Your thoughts aren’t facts. They’re just thoughts.
That voice in your head saying “you’re not good enough”? It’s not a wise oracle. It’s just your brain reacting to uncertainty.
Self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re not talented, committed, or worthy; it means you’re human.
And the next time they whisper, “Who are you to create this?”, answer boldly:
“I’m an artist. And that’s exactly why I must.”