It’s 2am, and you’re staring at your unfinished work.
Your creative energy feels like a fickle fairy who’s decided to take an extended vacation, leaving nothing but doubt and tension in its wake. 🧚♀️
It’s that frustrating space where your artistic vision exists clearly in your mind, but something keeps blocking it from flowing into reality.
Creative affirmations might be exactly what you need to unlock that flow. (And remember that manifestations like affirmations and vision boards only work with inspired action!)
Creative blocks are just doorways waiting for the right key.
And sometimes, that key is as simple as the words we whisper to ourselves while we create. ✨🔑
Understanding the Root of Artist’s Block: TENSION
Let’s talk about what’s really happening when we feel creatively stuck (and not in-flow).
In my experience studying theatre in college, going to acting school, and embarking on my singer-songwriter journey, I’ve noticed that creative block almost always stems from one thing: tension.
Tension in your body/mind, your environment/space, or your career/goals.
Tension is like static in our creative radio frequency and vibrations. It interrupts the clear signal between our inspiration and our ability to express it. There are so many ways this manifests —
- We’re creating from a place of “should” rather than desire
- Our bodies are tight and contracted
- The fear of being vulnerable and truly seen through our art
- We compare our chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20
- Financial stress creates pressure around our art
- Our creative space feels chaotic or uninspiring
- The gap between our vision and current abilities feels overwhelming
Just like a garden needs loose, fertile soil to grow beautiful flowers, our creativity needs a relaxed, open state to flourish.
Creative affirmations come in not as magical quick fixes, but as gentle tools to help us release that tension and reconnect with our creative flow.
💫Related: 9 Quirky Tips for Overcoming Creative Block
Why Traditional Creative Affirmations Don’t Always Work for Artists
THEY MIGHT BE TOO GENERAL.
When you’re taking your first steps in your artistic journey, affirmations like “I am a successful musician” might feel a little general and hollow for you. I totally get it.
It can feel really weird saying something that’s so far from how you feel if it doesn’t feel natural. The cool thing about affirmations is that you have so many to pick from.
“I am learning and growing every time I create,” can suddenly bring the power you need it to because it feels both true and aspirational.
THEY MIGHT FEEL TOO DIFFERENT.
Affirmations aren’t just positive thinking (although we always want to make them positive!). Really, the goal of them is to create a sort of bridge between where you are and where you want to be. And that bridge needs to feel walkable.
Also, for artists, traditional affirmations often fall short because they focus solely on the destination without honoring the journey.
WHEN THEY’RE NOT PAIRED WITH INSPIRED ACTION.
The real magic happens when we pair our affirmations with inspired action. Think of it like casting a spell – the words are important, but so is the wand movement. 🪄
How to Write Affirmations That Feel Authentic
Making Your Affirmations Personal & Specific
Self love affirmations for creatives need to speak directly to your unique journey.
Instead of generic statements, craft affirmations that reflect your specific goals and challenges.
For instance, rather than “I am creative,” try something like “I show up for my creativity every day, even when it feels challenging.”
I love that the latter acknowledges both your commitment and the reality that creative work isn’t always easy. Because it ain’t!
🔮 Related: The Creative’s Guide to an Abundance Mindset
Using Present Tense & Positive Language
Positive affirmations for creativity work best when they feel authentic and achievable. Crafting and speaking your affirmations are all about speaking as if what you desire is already happening.
But then comes the balance — you need to believe it. For example:
- Instead of: “One day I’ll be a great artist.”
- Try: “I am developing my artistic skills every time I practice.”
The difference is subtle but powerful. One pushes the goal into some distant future. The other one acknowledges the growth happening right now. 👇
Adding Emotion & Energy to Your Words
Affirmations become more powerful when they carry ~emotional resonance.~
FEEL the words in your body. Does it create a flutter of excitement? A sense of peaceful certainty? That’s how you know you’ve found the right words.
If not, play around with some different words until they feel right.
How to Write Powerful Creative Affirmations
The most powerful artist mindset affirmations follow a simple but magical formula. They combine gratitude, present-tense action, and emotion to create a statement that feels both authentic and aspirational.
(I got this from Jack Canfield, so it’s not my own! Pretty much every idea I get is a spin-off from someone else. I’m so inspired by so many people.)
THE FORMULA
- + Start each affirmation with “I’m so grateful that I am…” +
- + Then add both an action
- + And how it makes you feel
This structure helps your brain connect the doing with the feeling, creating a positive association with your creative practice.
🌬️ Related: How to Find Your Artistic Voice (Without Forcing It)
Here are some examples for artist mindset affirmations different parts of your artistic journey:
For Musicians 🎵
- “I’m so grateful that I am excitedly performing my songs to a sold-out theater, feeling the audience’s energy.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am peacefully recording my album in a beautiful mountain studio.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am joyfully collaborating with artists I’ve always admired.”
For Visual Artists 🎨
- “I’m so grateful that I am confidently showcasing my art in my own gallery opening.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am peacefully painting in my sun-filled dream studio every morning.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am excitedly shipping my art to collectors worldwide.”
For Writers ✍️
- “I’m so grateful that I am holding my published book in my hands, feeling proud and accomplished.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am sharing my stories at literary festivals, feeling connected to my readers.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am writing from my cozy cottage by the sea, feeling inspired and free.”
For Performers 🎭
- “I’m so grateful that I am confidently walking the red carpet at my film premiere.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am joyfully performing on Broadway every night.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am excitedly reading incredible scripts in my sunlit apartment.”
For Digital Artists 👩💻
- “I’m so grateful that I am creating artwork for my dream clients and projects.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am teaching my sold-out digital art masterclass.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am seeing my animations come to life on the big screen.”
For Crafters/Makers 🤲
- “I’m so grateful that I am peacefully creating in my beautiful workshop space.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am joyfully shipping orders from my thriving online shop.”
- “I’m so grateful that I am teaching workshops at creative retreats worldwide.”
Let’s Transform Your Creative Mindset Together!
Creative affirmations create a supportive internal environment where your creativity can flourish. (Bonus points if you already have a thriving external environment, i.e. a community, friends, an inspiring home studio. If not, that’s your next step 😉).
Want more support on your creative journey? Join our community of artists who are learning to trust their creative magic. Subscribe on YouTube for weekly inspiration and practical tips to help you build a beautiful, abundant creative life.
Keep affirming, keep creating, and most importantly, keep believing in the magic of your artistic journey! ✨
