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You know when someone makes a snide remark about how much time you spend on your art? Comments like, Shouldn’t you be spending more time with your children? Shouldn’t you be doing something more meaningful with your life? Those words can sting and linger, shaping the choices we make in the future.

This week, I want to unpack that guilt. A member of our community recently shared how a family member’s criticism led them to stop making art altogether. That broke my heart. I hear stories like this all too often. I’ve been there myself—being criticised, questioned, and even made to feel like I was wasting my life by pursuing my passion.

So, how do you overcome this guilt and keep creating? Here’s what I’ve learned over the years.

1. Remember Why Your Art Matters

At the heart of it all, your art matters. You don’t need to justify it to anyone, but you do need to remind yourself why it matters. When I was starting out, struggling to make money from my art and facing constant judgment, I had to hold onto the belief that my creative work had value.

Art is more than just an indulgence—it’s self-development, therapy, expression, and connection. It’s a way to grow, understand yourself, and share something meaningful with others. When you truly believe that, it becomes easier to push past the guilt and keep creating.

If you ever start doubting yourself, ask: Would I feel fulfilled if I stopped making art? If the answer is no, then it’s worth fighting for.

2. Set Boundaries with Unsupportive People

Not everyone will understand your artistic journey, and that’s okay. But you don’t have to subject yourself to their negativity. One of the biggest shifts I made was learning to set boundaries with people who constantly criticised my art.

Instead of trying to convince them, I simply stopped discussing my creative work with them. When they’d ask, How’s your art going? I’d give a short, neutral response like, It’s going well, thanks, and then redirect the conversation back to them.

This takes practice, but it’s incredibly powerful. You’re not cutting people out of your life; you’re just protecting your energy by not giving them the opportunity to tear you down.

If the person is particularly persistent, you can even have an honest conversation: I would love for you to support my art, but if you can’t, I’d prefer we didn’t talk about it. This isn’t always easy, but it can be effective in drawing clear lines.

3. Recognise That Guilt Comes from Within

Sometimes, the guilt we feel isn’t just about other people’s opinions—it’s something already living inside us. If someone’s words hurt, it’s often because they touch on an insecurity we already have.

For example, when I book a trip, I sometimes feel a wave of guilt. If someone casually says, Are you sure you should be going?, I immediately start overthinking. Not because of what they said, but because I already have that worry inside me.

This is why it’s so important to interrogate those feelings. Ask yourself, Why do I feel guilty about making art? Is it because of something someone once said? Because I feel I’m not doing enough in other areas of my life? Once you recognise where the guilt comes from, you can work through it and remind yourself that it’s safe to create.

Your art is not selfish. It’s not a waste of time. It’s something that brings you joy and fulfilment, and that’s enough of a reason to keep doing it.

 

 

Next time someone makes you feel guilty for making art, remember: you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Your art matters. You matter. Set boundaries, challenge your guilt, and keep creating.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—have you ever struggled with guilt when making art? Let me know in the comments. And remember, your art is important. Keep going.

See you next week!

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Have a great week & take care,

Michelle xo