Is believing in yourself the answer

People often assume that if they were just more confident, they would make better art. But confidence doesn't make you observe more deeply, connect more honestly, or respond more sensitively to the subject. In fact, chasing confidence can become another distraction—another belief that something needs to change before you can create. The goal isn't to feel confident. It's to be present. When you're fully engaged with the subject, your confidence becomes irrelevant because your attention is no longer on yourself. You're not thinking about whether you're good enough or capable enough; you're simply responding. Self-belief can also become limiting if it turns into certainty. The moment you believe you know what you're doing, you're more likely to rely on habits, expectations, and past successes instead of remaining open to discovery. Creativity doesn't come from believing in yourself. It comes from forgetting yourself. The less you are occupied with your own ability, confidence, or identity, the more space there is for genuine observation, spontaneity, and creative response. Check out my courses: https://www.thejoyofportraiture.com