You Will Never Feel Like a Real Artist

You finish the degree. Write the novel. Get the promotion. Reach the milestone you were convinced would finally make you feel legitimate. And somehow, you still feel like you’re pretending. For years, I kept moving the line for when I would finally allow myself to call myself a writer. First, I needed to read more. Then write a short story. Then publish one. Then get my Master’s in Literature and Creative Writing. Then write a novel. I’ve written three. Now, apparently, I need an agent. The strange thing is, I can already predict what comes next. In this video, I explore why the idea of becoming a “real artist” can remain just out of reach, no matter how much we accomplish—and why we may be confusing being an artist with succeeding as one. A publisher can publish your work. A label can sign you. A gallery can sell your paintings. An audience can discover you. But you were already making art before any of them arrived. Maybe the next milestone won’t finally give you permission to call yourself an artist. Maybe you never needed its permission in the first place. Thank you for thinking with me. —Dan #Creativity #CreativeLife #Artist #Writing #ImposterSyndrome #CreativeProcess