Are you a creative individual who occasionally gets the doldrums about your talent? For purposes of this post, I’ll use writing as the creative outlet, but the doubts can easily be attributed to anyone who engages in a creative outlet. Artist, jewelry maker, (you name it) if you put your creativity on display, it’s subject to critique. Even if only you see it, you’re often your worst critic.

You know how it is. You’re writing along, maybe having a decent word output, then take a break to check out social media and run across a scathing review of your work. Or perhaps you open the mail and find yet another rejection for your latest submission. Ack! Questions creep into your thinking.

Am I not as good as I thought?
Am I not ready for publication?
Is my heroine really a bitch? Did I not tone her down enough? etc, etc.

All of a sudden you’re wondering if you’ll ever be a success at this. You’ve let doubts creep in. The doldrums have descended. Well Sean Ferrell has a terrific post titled “Pathetic email” that you need to read. He calls the symptoms “feeling small.” What a perfect description! Even though dark background/light type sites hurt my eyes, I read the entire post. (Highlight the words and it’s not so hard on us sensitive types.)

His post is fabulous enough (How could it not be with Piglet and Pooh mentioned?) that I’m going back to read it again.