"If you fear being judged, you already failed" wow this one hit my like a truck lmao, thank you for sharing these stories and knowledge !

Honestly this is one topic that runs extremely deep for me. In my life, I was raised in such a way to where if I was not pleasing other people then I was doing something wrong, or "failing" as it were. If I did not win a sports match or meet a certain family member's expectations academically I was reprimanded rather harshly to the point it bordered on verbal abuse (and perhaps it was). As a result, to this day, the word "sorry" hasn't been able to leave my vocabulary. Even when doing something as menial as grocery shopping, instead of saying "excuse me" when I need to get by someone, I say "sorry" or "my apologies" for something so small it can't even be considered an error or a sin. And the way this has affected my art and self worth is...horrid to say the least. Every time I complete a piece, I see not where I succeeded, but where I failed. And yes, I understand that is normal, but where it becomes personally toxic is that I will continue down that train of thought and wonder what the hell I was doing trying to get into the industry and that I should just give up on my dream and cave to my family's demands of going into a more secure profession. To make matters worse, I graduated from high school two years ago and completed two years at university before having an emotional breakdown from past trauma that resulted in me having to drop out of college. I should be in the middle of my junior year now, beginning my capstone courses, but instead I'm sitting at home hoping to god to transfer to art school, should I be accepted. Instead of graduating with my peers next year with a bachelor's degree, I'm in this limbo that I'm terrified I won't get out of. And that fear, as the title of your video says, paralyzes me. I'm always disappointed that what I envisioned in my head never gets properly put onto the canvas (digital or traditional) as I envisioned it because I don't have the skill or knowledge to do so in the way I want. I negatively compare myself to my artistic idols, thinking "I'll never get there" versus "I'll get there eventually," and even then that eventuality terrifies me because I feel like I'm running out of time to learn and improve instead of having plenty of time to reach that skill level. And this demotivates me from wanting to make more art because I know or at least prime myself into thinking it'll be the same cycle over, and over, and over again. And yes, I've had pieces I've been proud of, but with time, this mindset sneaks in through the cracks and sends me into that cycle all over again. I wish I could give myself more quarter, I genuinely do. But it's hard. It's so terribly hard. Sorry for the essay! The video was absolutely lovely, as was your painting. I can't wait for more!

Just found you & so glad. Even as I push 70 I am still drawing & have dreams for it. Your comments on Art Ed really got to me. I had a formal art education at a university back in the 70"s, some things never change. Fortunately it was at a State University and only cost $400.00 a semester, a small fortune to me at the time. Teachers in design, color & perspective actually taught skills. The closer you got to drawing & painting the less you were taught. If you asked a question the answer was what do you think. If you were bold enuf to tell them what you thought, you got a humph. I moved on to "crafts" the worst sin of all, forsaking "Fine Arts". You might as well join a commune & make pottery!. But craft teachers were glad to teach & share info, never stomped on your ideas & would say lets see how that works, what a difference. I never did work in the art world, gotta eat. But I drew when I could & always kept a studio. Now that I am retired I am at it again & loving every minute. I have stories in me and want to write & draw a graphic novel. My flaw is that I have only one eye & am struggling to integrate that, what I see is rarely what others see. I knew that I needed more study in anatomy so I am taking life drawing and very slowly getting ok. Remember when we were all afraid of the basement but we went down there any way, did you love scary movies as a child? The fears get bigger as you do and when you pour "YOU" into a story or drawing you are exposing your real self. If I can live with the reality of having an eye plucked out due to cancer then I have already been on the edge & know that I did not fall over. Now, how to integrate my vision & my vision. Thanks for all your kindness.

This is somewhat unrelated but I find it amazing the way that you talk. You don’t try to cram information into a short video, but you instead take one point and explain it using stories and personal experiences which gets the audience to listen, pay attention, and retain what you’ve talked about. If you ever decided to do a show where you did a live art talk, I’d make sure to find a way to go in a heartbeat because the way you speak is amazing.

That point of "If you fear being judged, you already failed" really hits home for me. i seem to thrive on approval from others, but it drains me. sometimes its helpful to get a good product, but other ways it makes me worry, get anxious and the project suffers. i like letting go and just making whatever for myself.

Thank you! I fight this all the time. I grew up hearing "if you can't do it RIGHT don't do it at all" constantly. So hard to overcome that.

This made me realize how much pressure i actually put on myself, pressure to produce a large volume of art, pressure to produce something meaningful, something thats beautiful, something that satisfies me AND my teachers, pressure to not have any bad grades, to pass everything, to be on time with everything and make sure i can have a stable future, a successful career and all that. I realized just how much it takes to satisfy me and everyone else at the same time. And now real life had some bad news and ive fallen way behind with all this. I feel depressed, stressed, i developed some kind of anxiety and i cant get anything done. Which stresses me out even more and makes me feel like im in a race in life. I realized how wrong that is thanks to what you said. Im treating myself like a robot. Today i realized thats its okay. That i can just let things be and it wont be a disaster, it wont be the end, im just 19 and i have enough time, im developing, im alright. I realized that my art, my journey and my life is not about anyone else, and i dont have to satisfy anyone. I just have to go at my own pace, and just do what feels right to me. Today its the first time i finally cried and let it all go, and i hugged myself. I felt like im finally realizing what it means to be here for yourself and love yourself and not let the world disturb the delicate and beautiful enviroment that is inside my soul. Because if that is disturbed, there is nothing that it can produce artistically that would ever make me happy. Thank you so much. You are a very compassionate person and a very good teacher.

I really needed this right now thank you, this is like therapy for me.

Every time you say “I love you with all my heart” I smile and giggle and reply thank you :)

As the oldest child in my family, I always tried to look cool to my younger siblings. Because of this, I suppressed most of my emotions. This killed my creativity and even to this day, I still can't create a character with any emotional depth, or draw anything with emotional depth. I've convinced myself that emotions such as sadness and love in an artwork is "cringey" even though I love artwork that expresses emotion. I can only draw the most shallow of emotions now without instinctively making fun of myself for being weird and edgy.

"Allow yourself to make mistakes" I really needed to hear this. It's true that failure is stigmatized by society, and actually it often starts with the education system too. It's difficult to remember that we're only human, and we are bound to make mistakes. Thanks to your videos, I feel like I'm listening to another human being who's also imperfect but has found their way in life to be themselves despite that

I wish so much that just an ispirational talk or video like this could help me. Trauma and mental diseases are so horrible.

I think to me the feeling of losing control over your life, that you must sacrifice in order to make a living... pay bills... be responsible... adult, is like having grown up outside, seeing all the colors, feeling the wind, the warmth of the sun, and then shoved into a room, locked away, and told that all you get now, is the window to which you can see the world from. The sense of social claustrophobia is, really real, from a personal point of view.... It's very hard having dedicated myself to drawing, creating, pouring emotion into what I truly LOVE doing, for pretty much my whole life, only to have to push it aside because having a stable life eats away your time to do anything else other than exist. And yes, when you find yourself finally free to come back to do the things you put aside, you fear doing it. I, fear doing it. That fear of oh, I must be so rusty, what's the point if I can't dedicate myself to it, why bother if I can't improve, why even try anymore... But I want you to know, I've been following your channel for a while, and you have helped me. This video alone hit me hard. So.... lots of words just to say, thank you. Truly. Thank you. Keep being awesome.

We are all humans... a skeleton stuck in a massive amount of bubblegum.

I was literally beaten into fearing failure. This has negatively impacted my entire life since childhood and carries through to my adulthood. I am positive that this will be my undoing one day. Parents who hit your kids, it doesn't teach them anything, and your words travel further into their life.

This video popped into my recommendations out of the blue. I've been suffering a bad bout of art block since last fall. I've been anxious that my work isn't up to par. Your words filled me with a comfort and a peace I haven't felt in a long time, Thank you. I'm going to try again.

I've definetly noticed that the BEST artists I've ever met also seem to be the most chill and easy-going ones.

I just had a breakdown concerning this today, with tears and everything. I finally admitted to my art professor that I’ve feared my graduation projects and my feelings of failure from the last semester left me so unsure and unconfident. Your words brought so much comfort, thank you.

I think I needed this right now. Now matter what I do from drawing or writing I always feel like I'll never improve and I have a huge need to please everyone... I have to learn that it takes time to learn skills especially in drawing. One day I'll get there and I have to not let my fear hold me back.

"Have some compassion for yourself" The moment I heard those words, tears just started to fall from my eyes and I realize that I have been too hard on myself for all these years of my life. I just recently discovered your channel Adam, and I am very thankful that I did. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

Ah, my depression cure arrived

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you Adam, Truly. Albeit behind this clueless name and the anonymity of the internet I am seriously in your debt. All of your videos have helped me so much. I have hit a point in my art career where i am confident in my skills. I whole heartedly attribute all of my abilities to your motivation and your videos keeping me going throughout the day. Every video lifts me up and keeps going, no matter how hard, no matter how difficult your videos help me push through it! Today i had a eureka moment with my drawings. I dont know how to explain it but something just clicked. Something changed and i dont understand how or why but everything seems to flow so easily now. The shapes are everywhere and i cant unsee them. I want to keep growing and learning in my art career, but i just wanted to say thank you

this is a lesson every artist needs to learn: to let go of fear and just be yourself

i always watch these videos when i truly feel awful about my art, I use them as art therapy, and when he said "i love you, take care" it really felt like he meant it and my heart,,,

it's so very ironic that I can have one particular aspect in my life (my illustrations and paintings) where this has taken so long to hit home, when I've already been practicing that grace and self-acceptance of flaws in other aspects (personal/emotional, tattooing, relationships). As always, thanks for this video Adam. Your podcasts have been such great motivation while I paint and accept my flaws

Thank you! I needed this so much. I'll put a note on the wall of my study so I don't forget this: "Mistakes are stepping stones". I have been living like the first mistake I make proves that I am a failure as an artist. That restrains productivity and creativity of course, until they are almost nonexistent. No mistakes though, then... I try to be more compassionate to myself from now on.

"Our doubts are traitors; and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing the attempt" - William Shakespeare, taken from *Measure For Measure*

I like to think that every art piece an artist creates took their entire life to make.

I don’t post my art for a variety of reasons, I I never really thought my ability warranted any attention but I still have that anxiety of disappointing myself and never reaching the level of artists I admire

I was listening to this while working on a drawing I wasn't happy with, I was about to close the painting and just discard it forever and I stopped and realized how silly it was to do so especially while listening to you talk about not doing that, so I kept going, embraced the mistakes I was making and kept going. Thank you for this!

As someone who grew up to win, perform and compete with my peers at an early age or feel like I know what I’m doing as the eldest of the family, I get it. I learnt to embrace fear early on that killed my creativity for years. It made me miserable and rebel against everything I used to enjoy. Now, I had to unlearn fear because it’s programmed to our nervous system. It’s a maladaptive trauma response and it’s our responsibility to feel it and do it anyway. Thank you Adam for being a voice of reason. 🙏🏼😃⚡️ Progress wins over perfectionism. And falling into my creative sparks again is giving me a new sense of joy in painting. 🖼

I've actually been struggling with self doubt for as long as I could remember. Lately, it's gotten worst. It's weird though.. I feel as though my art has severely improved this year, but there is this strong, unwavering part of my mind that still believes i could do better. That I should be further than I already am. Thank you for this well needed video. I'm going to try and utilize your points, and hopefully i'll come out this year with both art growth AND self worth.

You know this got me thinking. When you mentioned your sister and Lady Gaga I thought about the one time I fell on my ass into mud and slid down the hill. I walked back to the hotel with mud up to the middle of my back. When I got into the building the teacher asked me if I took a bath with this disgusting tone of voice and I was like "YEP" and laughed it off. No one mentioned that afterwards. Now that I think back I realise that if I accept my mistakes no one's the wiser. And it does make feel other people better about their mistakes too. It sends them a message that it's ok. I think this is why people don't bother you when you own up to not being perfect. Maybe I can accept the fact that it's impossible to be perfect especially if I don't even know what perfect is. We always find a way to improve anyway. I recently signed up to a Hungarian drawing workshop and I was pretty damn scared when we had to upload a drawing the first time to the group but I thought about it and it was the first drawing of the course I thought "this can only go uphill from here anyway" so I decided to just draw without thinking about if they'll like it or not. I made the best damn drawing I've made ion a good long while. I believe the things you feel while drawing goes into the drawing and whoever looks at the finished piece picks up on them. Even if they can't translate the information they'll feel something even if that something is just "I don't like it.". They'll like a confident piece with mistakes more than a good but fearful piece. If you present your stuff confidently they'll accept it as it is. And if you don't like something then you can just decide what you'd prefer and change it. It isn't worth worrying about mistakes before they happen because the more you worry the more mistakes you'll make. I usually deal with the fear by using "I can do this" like a mantra. I know I will be able to deal with mistakes as soon as they happen (and I notice them) and they are usually less scare then what we make them out to be.

I am listening to you as I write my Starbucks Memoir. Crippling self-doubt, but the easy-going music and mellow relaxy-ness of your voice eases the tension in a way that keeps me going. Thanks, Adam.

I'm really glad I found this channel, I'm full of self doubt, depression and struggle for years with artblock. Your videos give me hope that maybe it's too late to give up yet. Thank you.

Your daughter is so lucky to have you for a dad. I love the way you weave your stories along with artists hang ups. Thanks for sharing!kr

Thank you for this video. I have always worked f/t day jobs that I find completely depleting, and then it takes time for me to “come back into myself” and my artmaking. it’s sometimes easier and sometimes harder, but the most important thing is to return. Being away from art from certain daily exhaustions feels painful at times! I guess that’s how you know you are really passionate. Thank you, this video made me feel less freaked out.

And the Oscar nominee for the best talk on life goes to Adam Duff LUCIDPIXUL bravo! 👏 👏🏆 🏆

Posted 51 seconds ago?!? When have I ever been this early! Thank you for the content as always 🧡 Ok I updated my home page and it was 5 mins ago but still!

It's funny how you talk about people falling without worrying about it: guess who felt down the stairs on his butt while listening to the podcast on his way to the basement to do his laundry? I guess I was being too distracted by your talk ^^ Ouch, ouch! My ass!... As far as judgement and failure goes, I've lost a big part of the fun of drawing more than 10 years ago due to the pressure I put on myself. In that sense fear is my biggest enemy because instead of simply enjoying the ride I over analyze every single brush stroke, and as a result I am not painting as much as I should. And the more I know about art, the more I realize how little I know: it's some kind of endless circle, both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because the road of improvement and learning is endless, a curse because self doubt kicks-in once you start being very critical with your art. I don't know about all of you listening to this video, but do you feel that self-doubt with your art could be tied to self-doubt with other aspects of your life? I have always been a rather pessimistic person full of self-doubt. I am very worried about what people might think of me, worried to be seen as a fool, as a waste of empty space that should be laughed at. Being good at art (really good, reaching a professional level) is a way for me to show that I don't suck and succeeded at something. I try to remember that while we lack confidence with our art, we're still better at drawing/painting than most people out there who are not painters: someone who doesn't paint could be impressed by what I do, the same way I'd be impressed by any musician because I don't play any instrument. And yet, even if I make it to professional level, I am worried to be ridiculed due to other aspects of myself and my life, because of something I do or say, to the point it could invalidate my art skills and make me look like a fraud. And everything I would have tried to achieve could fall appart like a house of cards. Am I the only one who thinks that way? (EDIT : great piece of artwork by the way, I'm loving it!).

Amazing. I'm going to hire you as soon as possible. And that painting is breathtaking. I'd like a print for my home. Even forgetting all the helpful advice and other pieces I've seen from you: this one alone is enough to declare you my favourite artist, and you aren't even finished with it yet.

I always get extremely nervous whenever I'm drawing or trying to learn something, constantly judging myself for doing things "wrong," even when I know fully well that I can't really be perfect on my first attempt. I'm constantly stressing myself out as a professional, thinking "what if my portfolio isn't good enough, what if I'm not good enough to apply to this job at my current level." Honestly? You're right. It's stupid what I'm doing to myself. I'm missing so many opportunities out of fear, when there may be a chance that the person I want to work with is actually looking to work with someone like me too. Thank you for this. It really helped me relax and forgive my own imperfections.

Thank you so much. As an architect, i needed this today. I love you too Adam.

I like that you make a comparison to British comedians because I consider them heroes while I'm creating.

You are an inspiration. Also i have to thank you for not having ads in between.

You make me cry, sir. And you make me feel good about it. Thank you.

Man, why did I found this channel now? I always struggled with this forever, thank you for this, really

I've stumbled upon your video through my recommendations, and I don't regret watching it! Even after writing and publishing my work online for over a decade, I still have that fear sometimes of people hating my work, but I'm teaching myself to let that anxiety go. I can't control others, even less their opinions, and I can do is continue to produce stories I'm proud of. Recently I've started drawing because I always wanted to, but my lack of experience is causing me to think everything I do sucks, so why bother? Well I'm gonna draw today, thanks to you.

You have such a calming voice, very Bob Ross like

I’m so touched by the story you’re telling. I wish I had received more tolerance when I was young.

Ok i dont know why you appeared on my feed but you sir are an INSTANT sub for me. Your videos are so calming and the art you make is beautiful.

Came on here for some art talk which was wonderful and also got some Rufus Wainwright and Kate and Anna Mcgarrigle lore which was so good!! If you watch Kate and Anna's old performances you can really see a similar spirit of very authentic, less polished and sometimes messy stage presence which was probably why Rufus and i'm assuming Martha and Anna didn't mind - because it was reminiscent of the way his mum and his aunty used to play. Would definitely recommend checking out Martha Wainwright if you haven't already (specifically her debut album) her songwriting is incredible. Thank you so much for all of your videos as well - you always manage to say something i really need to hear!

Thank you for these videos... I'm nearing the finish line with my studies (computer science, actually, but I'll be going on to study computer graphics) and it's been absolutely exhausting. Your videos have been the one thing helping me calm down and get my work done. Just seen the video appear and knew instantly that I would actually get something done today :)

The point about embracing our flaws and finding grace in them reminds me of a lyric from my favorite band, Poets of the Fall, in the song Jealous Gods: "We are the perfect flaws-- perfect with our flaws." (link to the song for anyone interested: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fMxnhNF22rnFn58.html ) I love the idea of perfection *because* of flaws rather than in spite of them, because our flaws are part of what makes us human, and each of us uniquely so. Flaws can be beautiful, but flawlessness is almost always sterile.

This kinda hit me hard, mostly of what recently happened. I've been pushing back against my family so that I can go to a major I wanted, art. But despite my succession getting in, I feel that I'm still trapped. I have this constant feeling of needing to prove myself to everyone, I pushed myself to hard to the point I'm beginning to hate art. At this point it feels taxing, it drains me of joy and energy. And everytime I hold a pencil I always notice this prickly sensation going up from my fingers to my arms. It burns, just enough to disrupt me of any progress, though never enough to actually hurt. I have no idea what to do anymore, I'm falling behind in my studies and yet I fear the thought of holding a pencil.

This is so, so helpful to me right now. My main goal in art is to become an animator, but the past couple years I've been doing some volunteer work on the side, making sets for a small local theatre. There's two directors there. One of them is a perfectionist, and the other goes with the flow. I've noticed when I'm making a set piece under the perfectionist, I try to do it exactly as it had been done by the previous designer. Because I know it's how he wants it done, and I don't have to worry about spending time constantly reworking it. But when I work under the other director, granted it's generally singular set pieces instead of the whole stage, I feel like I can branch out a lot more. She recently directed Aladdin Jr for our kids academy, and I suggested we make the cave of wonders into a giant puppet head that two of the kids can move around. I've never made a puppet before, but she loved the idea. There was a bunch of setbacks, the original plan for some of the effects didn't work out, but we adapted. It ended up looking great onstage, and the whole cast was able to just have fun performing. Now I just need to get over the fear of failure in my actual art, and not just in theatre 😅

Gosh that intro. This whole video. I just see myself too much with these types of insecurities and it's so great to hear you talk about it. Its so great to hear you approach this in the way you did instead of the "well that's just something you're going to have to get over!!" that I hear from so many peers. Your compassion and understanding is what makes your guidance inspiring. Thank you.

This piece is incredibly beautiful and your art blows me away. Just wanted to let ya know.

Ive just begun watching the video but I feel like this is exactly what I needed to listen to today. I'm the type of artist that get so overwhelmed by the stress, self doubt and lack of confidence I have quit art time and time again, gone back to it and tried again but felt so worthless and like it's not beautiful enough I can barely make myself do anything and it sucks. It really does but I hope one day it gets easier. Thank you for the video and have a good day

Thank you so much. I have been struggling a lot with what you've mentioned here... It wasn't until a few weeks ago I started even drawing again, I had forgotten how fulfilled it made me but also how much fear of failure is associated to it, and it's left me feeling both inspired and incredibly isolated. So... thank you for inspiring, and for actually talking about failure how it's actually beautiful... and free... and human.

I've been listening to the vids in the background since I started working from home and they've been so encouraging. They've brought me a sense of calm and encouraged me to try and be part of a solid, awesome community. These videos are immensely important - thanks Adam :)

Dude this video hit me hard. I just found you a few days ago with the BOTW book review, but you have quickly become one of the most inspirational people I've seen!

Hey Adam, I am quite new to your channel here on youtube and I have to say, you’re quite amazing man! I am so happy I found you. The fact you talk about emotions and feelings so openly is such a relief. Men (usually) have such a hard time talking about these things. I shared this video to a friend of mine, she is a pro artist doing acrylic paintings and sell a great amount of paintings. She is quite closed down and introvert and def suffering from ”imposter syndrome” with her art. She called me after the video crying from the bottom of her heart saying Thank You a million times. Your video hit her heart big time! She finally found out she aint alone in this frustration! So all I want to say to you, THANK YOU FOR BEEING YOU! Happy Valentines!

This channel is the way! Thank you for everything you gave us!!!

I always find it comforting hearing your talks and especially this topic about fear, in which that it seems these complex emotions, they can be resolved and or comprehensible. but despite it all i still can't let go of the beliefs in the fears I have. I agree it paralyzes us, but not just creativity but our identity. To embrace fear is to face the unknown, as someone that can't adapt and problem solve quickly to my environment its just so scary. The world seems to go by so fast, workload in the industry seems to demand better and faster quality. I find it so hard to be kind to myself when it seems like if I stop being harsh to myself and push I would end up dead. I really want to be kind to myself, but its so so hard haha.

I can see the dark souls inspiration here, really pulls at the imagination

Love your work, Adam. As an aspiring artist/writer, I so needed to hear this. I think it would've taken me a lifetime to understand what you explain in 25 minutes, and I feel so lucky to have found this. I hear people taking pride in being perfectionists and while that's fine it is as you said toxic and total bullshit. I wonder how many artists or creative people suddenly up and gave up on their endeavors just because of this paralyzing fear you mentioned. Let me say this much, Adam, you're doing God's work here teaching new artists this. I don't think if they teach such things in art school. P.S: that painting is so sick, I really want it on my wall...

this time I wasn't painting, I was sculpting. I'm offended, did u assume my art XD

I came across this channel just about a week ago and I've watched a few of your videos. It's really soothing to watch you talk and work and I just wanted to say, thanks for doing these videos. They mean a lot, and they ease my art and general anxiety for a good while. Your voice is very nice too.

I think I'll legit put a reminder every week to comeback and listen to this.. So calm, inspiring and helpfull!

I don't know how many hours I have already spent watching your videos over the past week or so... I have much to say, but for now, really, sincerely, thank you for everything.

Thank you for sharing, this has helped me understand how much I hold myself back with my art because I judge myself.

I cried. This video helps me, thanks.

It's such a blessing I've found this in my recommendations - thank you so much for saying what I needed to hear the most!

I dont know how but you always manage to upload the answer to something that wats my head within 1-2 days of being into it. I suffer from anxiety and a major depressive disorder between other things, it has made it very difficult for me to finish things since i cant push to the end of anything I owe some works for friends and stuff that were paid and one that may actually give me sustenance for a while but i cant... Get to gather the bravery to finish those, to push to the end... All because i fear "ive already taken so much time they will hate me" and i push it to the future like that wont make them hate me more when i handle those. I just feel like running away and hiding haha. Thanks for the video Adam. Thanks for every video. Its helping me being a better person and not only better at art... Although i start to belive those are related.

Just thank you, this is the talk from you that resonated the most in me. It helps me a lot

I used to be full of passion and had a crazy imagination and then I got older and bills hit and having to work all the time it left me drained mentally and I was uninspired for so long that nw when I go back to try to do art my mind is cloudy and I struggle so much. Back in the day it felt so fun and organic but now I feel tense and miserable when I draw.

Thank you for all the videos you produce and the amazing art that you share. I'm up to my neck with schoolwork atm and have been stressed since late October about my art, progress, not knowing what career path I want to take when I finish my studies... I've found myself playing your videos whenever I work this past month and they've been a great inspiration as well as reassurance that I don't have to have everything figured out by the time I graduate next year, that I should go at my own pace with my art, instead of slaving every day to get better, do better, be better. Thank you so much for being so open with your audience and for sharing your experiences as an artist without any sugarcoating.

Thank you so much for this video. You basically listed the things I often found myself struggling with. Though I have improved on how I feel about my own art, I still struggle with my fears. It is my asura that I struggle with the most. It is true, we institutionalize the fear of failure, wither by school or by our society. Again, thank you for this.

Beautiful talk- thank you so much.

"I have to slowly chip away at my own ego to uncover the things about me that I value as well." God damnit... I recently realised just how much of an ego I had and this video only proved this discovery. The thing is, I have always put such gigantic expectations on myself that it has felt normal to me to not share something if it does not reach these unattainable standards of mine. This has pushed me to try and tame my creativity and artistic endeavours to the point where I felt like I didn't belong. Thankfully, I am young, still, and I realised that going into college for a degree that did not allow my creativity to show was not the right choice. However, though I am much happier now, a full time employee that has little time for art during the week but spends all her waking time practicing on the weekend because she wants to go to art school, I feel afraid to create a portfolio. I feel like I don't have enough "pieces of value" yet. I feel like I'm waiting to reach a professional level before entering a school that is supposed to teach me how to get there, pretty stupid, right? Moreover, my style has been shifting drastically recently and I feel a little all over the place, which is a great representation of my inner turmoil. I could just throw myself to the wolves and send my portfolio but, I feel scared to send art that I don't relate to anymore. I feel afraid to go there and get so much criticism on my art, on myself, that, based only on how it is communicated, I could either become my best self, or have the little self-esteem I protect with my wall of ego come crushing down and be reduced to nothing. Because I have felt like this once, and I am not ready to face it again anytime soon. I wish I could just "suck it up" and not be a "crybaby" but truth is, I am just that fragile of a human being... This turned out slightly more pathetic that I wanted it to, ha... Alright, time for the existential french woman to take her leave. Thank you very much for the inspirational insight, Adam. And as we say in french, chapeau bas les artistes !

I really really really am grateful you put this video out here. Thank you

I'll tell you what paralyzes my creativity. I was good at art as a young child and a teenager, and it sort of became expected of me to be the "Artist." But it was as if the rest of me, all the different little pieces that make me who I am, were invisible and didn't count. That expectation, coupled with very low self-esteem, halted and poisoned my creativity. It almost feels like it was taken from me, even though I know that it was probably me who gave it away. When I approach my easel now, which is very rare these past many years, I feel rage, not fear. It's like I throw a temper tantrum inside. I realize it sounds like I'm cutting off my nose to spite my face. I'm a really talented artist with a sizable following, but I've been unable to paint now for at least a decade. I wish, oh how I wish that I could let go of this attitude. Therapy doesn't help, although it's helped with a lot of other things in my life. If anyone here has experienced something like this, and has something constructive, helpful, or compassionate to say, I'd love to hear back. About that Ken Robinson talk on TED talk. I must have listened to that about three or four times. I adored that man, and was so sorry to hear he passed away - I think it was last year. The world so desperately needs people like him. I miss him deeply.

I got the notification but couldn't watch yesterday as I was out of data package. Anyways thank you so much Adam. Its always the best thing to hear a 30 mins talk from you rather than a long boring lecture in the university. Huge love from us

I feel so inspired to fail right now because gosh dang it I love being able to improve

I've gotten to the point where I'm letting Bob Ross tell me things that I'm hating are just happy little mistakes Ended up going lineless on a normally lined artpiece and it came out beautifully in a way a little color bleeding outside of the lines but that was fine, it's a tiny problem on a massive canvas the commissioner was happy so I'm happy I'm deffos sending this to my learning art friends though, they need it and I think it'd help

your voice is so nice and what you talk about really helps!.. its so nice and cozy

I don't care what others think. I don't fear being judged. But what paralyzes me is the belief that I will never measure up to my own standards, and I will never be able to consistently create things I am proud of

I don't make mistakes I make changes.♥ Doing art and being creative. Thank you for sharing your stories.

First of all, I love Adam's content and have been a huge fan for years, but when he asked about dropping a painting 15 minutes in because you feel that it's not going anywhere, I realized that I'm not that kind of artist, because right now in my career, I can't afford to allow fear to hinder my process. My entire well being and future is riding on making this work. So when I start a painting, it's imperative that I fully commit and finish it. My only job is to paint and finish the painting, not to determine the outcome which is completed by the viewer. When you tap into survival mode as an artist, fear goes away, for me at least, and not finishing a painting only pushes you back. However, to be more practical and helpful to other artists, something that has been huge for me is to plan out about 10-20 paintings in advance so that there is no artist block at all. I always know exactly what painting is next and it keeps me excited about the next painting. Also, the process of the current painting helps to inspire even more paintings since there isn't the nervousness of not knowing the next painting. So I guess the main points of my rambling is, 1) fully and completely committing to huge major risk cancels out fear and increases your chances of success and 2) planning out your next 10-20 paintings cancels out artist block.

Thanks mate, I really needed that, my best wishes, good luck on what all you do, and God bless

i learn alot just watching your strokes

Loved this video and the words you chose, thank you

tripped on 230 micrograms of acid one time, locked myself in a dark room just to see geometric abstractions, but when I peaked I experience a fictional fear, the type of fear a toddler would feel when young thinking that a monster would be hiding under the bed if you left your foot out the bed covers, it was a nonsense type of fear because I was logically thinking I am alone in this room, with just my own mind, and I keenly examined it, with endless thought process, and the fear grew more potent, to the point that goosebumps ignited like popcorn, all over my skin, and my hair follicles, were all dancing in a frenzy and well synchronized as i was showered with these black flames, i felt pure fear, that type of fear when one knows they are about to die, but at the same time, i felt pure enjoyment, then i see these eyes starring right at me, and the more i focused at them the more clean i could see and fear it. I shook hands with what i presume was my shadow self, other shadow people were surrounding me too. It was the coolest shit i have ever experienced. It was more freakier than any horror movie i ever saw. My roommate knocks the door, i opened it, and asks if my trip was okay, i replied "Yeah it aight,"

As i was listening i started working on a small piece that i would have never deares. Thanks.... 😢

Just discovered your channel today, thru Kelsey's video (my first time on her channel as well!) about the awful comments she's receiving. Followed you both! :) When you said "passé date" in that video, i was like "he's a Montrealer!" Haha ;) Hello from the Hochelaga neighbourhood :) Anyway, i love this video here too! I consider myself an artisan (handmade jewelry) rather than an artist, but i guess creativity/fear is not skill specific lol After over 16yrs of doing this, i get creatively paralyzed for sure. I saved this video to watch it again once in a while :) Looking forward to watching more of your content!! Take care!

Hi. Firstly I'd like to say that your work is amazing and your words are really inspirational real and true. For me it feels like I'm like bird we start out in a shell and it's not easy braking out that shell like running into a wall but pecking on and on the shell you do brake through, as chick I always watch the other birds flying now I am flapping my wings working my muscles because I know if I don't learn how to or if I don't do anything I know I won't be able to fly.

This is powerful stuff man , I’m surprised you don’t have a larger following! Great video man , I would listen to 5 more 25 min videos just like this anyday!

Thank you. This is something I really needed and struggle with a lot. I really enjoyed the pacing of the video. I feel this relaxed approach makes your points and comparisons sink in a lot better. I liked the comparisons you made. Your voice is also very calming. I'm glad I found this video. Thank you again for sharing this.

Thank you... Needed this.