This is something I'm struggling with currently. I'm filled with doubt right now and searching for the hope (hence why the "I hope" necklace calls to me so strongly). When I feel like this, I tend to throw myself into making sure my friends feel loved and cared for. I try to be that much more of a better friend. It winds up working both ways - that friend almost always turns it around and makes sure I feel loved and cared for and start to feel less doubtful and more hopeful.

Being three years out of a five year relationship where nothing I did was important (in his eyes) and my self esteem fizzled to near nothingness, I am finally beginning to allow my talents to reemerge, to bloom forth again. I honor this by diving in face-first with my eyes wide open to possibilities and my heart open to joy. And I feel ALIVE again!

When I have doubt, I use my talents to serve others. It never, ever fails. I learned this from my mom, from her example. She is always using her talents for others without a mention of it. Sometimes it takes some creative thinking and acceptance (I think it is a talent to be able to clean the hell out of someone's bathroom thankyouverymuch) to see your talent and embrace it and use it.

I have discovered you and Liz online only recently, but it's a pleasure. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog the other day; I appreciate the comment.

When in doubt, I get away from the situation. Usually, I'm moping at home, but if I can drag myself outside to look at the beauty of the world around me, I am instantly refreshed and renewed. I come back tired, content, and ready to give things another go... and I do. And that is how I honor my talent: I take the time to gain perspective, and I keep at it. I don't let the doubt or frustration stop me.

I take a big deep breath ( or a few ), I pray that God takes the reigns and humbles me to follow, I stand on the courage he gives me and I keep on...
Oh, yah...and I check in with my favorite beauties for inspiration (Liz included :)

:-) i have that very same 'i hope' soul mantra and i wear it ALL the time, uh huh. it always makes me feel fabulous!! good luck everyone, such lovely treats liz is giving out :-) xoxo

i am not entering because my house if filled with beautiful creations from the little room but i will say that when i am having one of those moments of doubt (and i have them more often than i would like), i take a break, breathe deeply and then i look back at those things i have created or done that i am proud of and i talk to a good friend because that always helps and luckily i have me some fabulous friends :-)

xox

oh wow- that is a hard question. What I have started to remind myself in those moments of doubt is "Trust in the Universe". Trsut that I know what is right and that I am doing what I do out of love. that is how I push through.

lovely work! I am now off to browse the shop!

I think that I can honor my talents best by continually reminding myself that I don't have to be perfect in my art. That my art is beautiful and wonderful and unique just how it is, and that it does not have to meet any certain "quota".

i think this is something that every creative person deals with. it comes and goes. i really dig when it goes. but when it doesn't i try to look around and gather up the accomplishments so that i can see in full all the goodness my art brings to me and others and if that does'nt do it, then i try to chat with other creative chickadees throughout this world. that always seems to bring me back to center.

I'm trying to learn to keep *doing* what I know I love and am meant to do, even when it's all hard and sucky. That way, I keep honoring myself even when I don't feel very good about myself. I still really struggle with this; that's why I say I'm learning to keep doing.

I am just commenting...and passing on entering here too...:-) I am wearing 'I Hope' soul mantra necklace at this moment and just wanted to share how lovely Liz's work is. I also have one of her patchwork,fleece-lined scarves, which I scarcely took off all last winter, and I look forward to wearing it again this fall. Her work is .quality.

There are many times that I have doubts about my art. I have found what really helps is just sharing them with others, and then letting them go. Also, just knowing that you're not alone in this helps so much.

press through it. remember that we were made to create beauty. pray and leave it in His hands.

What a happy giveaway.

xx

Those are so beautiful, I would be honored to own them. I love these giveaways - they remind me to be introspective.

I have a bad habit of calling myself a "creative soul with no talent" because I don't really draw or paint, my writing is not published, I have trouble coming up with ideas, I look at other people's photography with awe...

I've recently found that perhaps it is enough to appreciate the process. Writing, drawing, taking photographs, knitting, being creative in some form or another, makes me happy. It is a way to explore my own soul, a journey inward. So, when I start to get down on myself about a poorly worded passage, or a blurry photograph, I remind myself to simply be in the moment and take joy in the action itself. The end result is secondary. And if it's really fantastic - well that's just the gravy.

I see to go through spells where I doubt myself, my work, my goals...and when that happens (as it has lately) I soak myself in other things..other people's art, other forms and mediums of art, I read and I explore other aspects of life looking for that spark and somehow I come back replenished and refreshed with a new "eye" both to who I am and what I do.

I love Liz's work and have one of her soul mantra necklaces which I feel energized whenever I wear it.

Maybe this isn't the best, self-reliant answer, but it's always helpful for me to talk things out with my husband. He won't patronize me or exaggerate just for a quick pick-me-up. He cares deeply about my feelings, and I can count on him to bouy me up with honesty and love.

Coming to a place (like this) - where you know that those around you are lifting you up...encouraging you to reach out...to not give up...to do something new - that is where I go.

Thanks for insipiring me, Jenica.

You rock!

(truly beautiful creations, too!)

oh so beautiful liz!

how do i work through the doubt? aaaaah....i just keep going through the muck, and usually before i know it, i've made it through to the other side. usually...

i'm also a big fan of "fake it 'til you make it" (is it ok to admit this?) i really, truly believe it works.

xx