I volunteered to paint an item for auction. My immediate reaction? Panic.I accepted a design job with a new client. My immediate reaction? Panic.
As we do new things, it’s panicky, but I’m fully embracing Panic as Process as a new approach and mantra. Why? Because I think panic galvanizes me as an artist. Taking on new challenges forces me to learn new skills, expand how and when I do things, and push myself into my discomfort zone.
My internal dialogue while panicking goes something like this:
“Yikes! It’s new! I can’t do it! Oh…wait, I could do this. Or maybe that. Yikes. I need a snack. Hmmm…what about… Let me do a quick sketch. I need a walk. I got this. This is totally cool. Yikes. What if I…or maybe... I need to call my BFF.”
Noticing our panic process reduces the panic IN our process!
I have this internal conversation all the time. Instead of trash talking myself for a bit of panic, I suddenly realized this is how I work to come up with fantastic ideas! This is the process. And it’s continual throughout art projects. It’s not a one and done approach.
If I brand panic as my process, then I’m in control of it. I can recognize it and use it to create more art. It means I’m on the edge of something new and that my creative process is engaged and working.
Panic spurs us to step it up a notch. Learn things. Collaborate. Invent. How do you use panic in your process?!
Please note: I’m not talking about the dread that fills us when we know something is a bad fit or taking on a job that is unhealthy or toxic. I’m talking about that pinprick of panic that makes us sit up and take notice.