The Hidden Gifts of Self-Doubt in Creativity

Show of hands—who here immediately felt a twinge of shame upon clicking on this title? It’s the one thing we’re told never to admit out loud. Because what if someone hears you? What if they find out you’re not worthy of your creative pursuit simply for having the slightest inkling of self-doubt? If you’re among the ‘magical thinkers,’ you might even fear that just thinking these thoughts sends signals to the Universe, banishing you from the path of success. Because… what if your self-doubt is right?

But let’s look at the facts. Self-doubt isn’t a death sentence; it’s a thought pattern that often walks hand-in-hand with creativity. It’s the fear of not being able to achieve what we set out to do. And, believe it or not, it plays an important role in doing anything great. Fear and self-doubt stir up feelings of tension, uneasiness, and discomfort—but these can be powerful motivators. If we let them, they can move us into action.

How Self-Doubt Can Serve Your Creativity

Curiosity & Learning

When we feel self-doubt, it often nudges us toward gathering information, reflecting on our abilities, and building our skill set—all of which feed directly back into the creative process.

Fosters Humility

Self-doubt keeps our overzealous egos in check. By humbling us, we stay connected to reality, becoming more open to feedback and collaboration—two essentials for any creative looking to excel.

Refines Your Voice

Wrestling with self-doubt brings you closer to your authentic self. What really matters to *you*? Where do your values and intentions sit when creating? Instead of chasing trends or external validation, self-doubt invites you to ask: *What do I truly want to create?*

Acts as an Internal Signal

This one’s underrated. When self-doubt creeps in, pause and notice. What’s happening around you? More often than not, you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. Self-doubt tends to peak when we leave the cozy world of safety, approval, and the familiar. But in that discomfort lies newness, growth, and possibility.

In this way, true creativity isn’t possible without the (sometimes unwelcome) side effects of self-doubt.

The Road Trip with Fear

I’m always inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s wisdom on creativity and fear. Whenever she embarks on a new creative endeavor, she knows Fear will be right there beside her—so she writes it a letter. Here’s an excerpt from Big Magic:

"Dearest Fear:

Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you'll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently, your job is to induce complete panic whenever I'm about to do anything interesting—and, may I say, you are superb at your job. So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must.

But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There's plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way.

I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and I will never exclude you from our activities, but still—your suggestions will never be followed. You're allowed to have a seat, and you're allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You're not allowed to touch the road maps; you're not allowed to suggest detours; you're not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you're not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive."

Reference:

Gilbert, E. (2015). Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Riverhead Books.

When Self-Doubt Overstays Its Welcome

That said, self-doubt isn’t all fun and games. Alongside it lurks Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism, ever-ready to “protect” you. But instead of safeguarding your creativity, they often shut it down. These two are so effective at keeping your creative self “safe” that you can end up metaphorically locked in a basement—never to share your work with the world again.

If you’re ready to face self-doubt head-on, here are some practices to help:

• Journaling

On one page, write from the voice of your self-doubt. Every terrifying fear and excruciating detail—let it all out. What are you afraid of? What’s the worst that could happen? What would that say about you? Dig deeper: What’s the worst thing about that? You might feel relief getting this out, but it probably won’t feel great.

Now, to balance the scales: write in defense of your creativity. Thank self-doubt for trying to keep you safe, for signaling that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, and for bringing you closer to your authentic voice. But then—like a lawyer defending their client—list all the ways self-doubt is wrong. Point out where it’s catastrophizing or being irrational. Maybe it’s just regurgitating the voice of your 7th-grade drama teacher, Mr. Harris—and let’s be honest, how ridiculous was he?

• Talk to a Trusted Friend

Someone who believes in you and won’t try to “fix” things. Self-doubt touches our most vulnerable selves, and sharing it is an act of courage. Confiding in a friend, mentor, or teacher can help you process what’s really going on.

• Talk to a Therapist

Hi. As therapists, we pride ourselves on holding space without judgment—just curiosity about what you’re experiencing. We’ll help you carry the weight, gently point out cognitive distortions, and guide you toward using self-doubt as a tool for growth rather than a barrier.

---

Self-doubt isn’t the enemy of creativity—it’s part of the process. But with awareness and the right tools, it doesn’t have to be the driver. Creativity, after all, is about showing up *despite* the fear—and maybe even because of it.