How Artists Can Cope with Uncertainty and Rejection

By Chris Mitchell, Life, Career and Professional Development Coach for Artists and Creatives

 

Rejection and uncertainty are part and parcel of building a career and life as an artist or creative professional. Most of us accept this even if we sometimes struggle through it. Simply sustaining a creative career and life is proof of our resilience. But navigating our careers and lives as creative professionals through ongoing geopolitical conflicts, climate catastrophes, economic uncertainty, cuts to arts funding and shifting cultural dynamics is becoming even more challenging (to say the least). Sustaining, nevermind growing as creatives in these times necessitates the steady, conscious building of our resilience.

 

“Resilience isn’t simply bouncing back; It's about using adversity to gain knowledge and skills and bounce forward. The ability to bounce forward and grow from adversity is the hallmark of resilient individuals.” Peter Kramer, Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour at from Brown University

 

Coping and moving forward through times of adversity, uncertainty and dealing with rejection in our work and lives as creative professionals is a common thread of conversation with my coaching clients. I help them to think through actions, behaviours and mindset shifts necessary for them to be able to bounce back or bounce forward in the face of uncertainty or rejection.

 

How are you feeling about your capacity to bounce back or bounce forward? Do you need some new coping strategies at this moment?

 

Here are four strategies that helped a recent client of mine and may also be helpful to you to maintain and even build your resilience in challenging times:

 

Practice Self-Care. Uncertainty and rejection can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being, making it harder to focus, stay creative, or bounce back. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s essential. Start by checking in with your basic needs: Are you eating well? Getting enough rest? Taking breaks to recharge?

 

One of my clients discovered the importance of self-care when juggling multiple part-time jobs, maintaining an online shop, and working on exhibition pieces left her feeling drained and discouraged. She was often exhausted and uncertain of whether her efforts towards her on-line shop or creating applications for funding or exhibitions would pay off. Together, we identified small but meaningful ways she could refuel, like prioritizing time off and rest and making time for activities that inspired her creativity. For her, connecting intentionally with a supportive group of artist friends—sharing ideas and challenges—became a lifeline that nurtured her resilience and reduced her sense of isolation.

 

What could self-care look like for you? Maybe it’s taking a quiet walk, stepping away from the news cycle, or simply giving yourself permission to rest. When you care for your body and mind, you create the foundation to tackle challenges with renewed energy and perspective. Reflecting on what fuels your creativity and energy can make a big difference. For additional guidance, consider downloading my free Self-Care Check-In for Artists and Creatives.

 

Take Control When we first started to work together, my client felt that she just didn’t have enough time to do all of the things that were important to her. Blocking studio sessions into her calendar as she input her part-time work hours week-to-week was one thing that helped her take control of having studio time a priority. (Prior to that she was grabbing studio time “when she had time available”). She also committed to investing in an important piece of equipment that gave her more control over her process and creativity. This was a big deal for her because it meant that she could experiment more freely and as needed rather than depending on availability of equipment in her shared studio space. Focusing on areas where she could take action to reduce the uncertainties and have more autonomy in her creative process helped her to gain a better sense of control! What is within your control? What action could you take?

 

Focus on What You Can Learn For example, instead of throwing up your hands in defeat or blaming yourself, circumstances or others for an unsuccessful application or pitch, request feedback. My client had experienced a couple of recent rejections of proposals for funding. We talked through how she could use these rejections as learning opportunities. It took some courage and encouragement, but she took the risk to ask the granting officer how she could improve her application next time and got some valuable feedback. She was also able to take up an offer to get input on her next application draft before submitting. And she’s not the only client I’ve worked with who has seen benefit from asking for feedback on a rejected application. Two other clients recently secured funding for projects that had previously been rejected, simply by asking for this kind of help from granting officers or other artists who’ve had better success with securing funds. Working with someone who can help you reflect, set goals, and navigate challenges—such as a coach or mentor—can be invaluable.

 

Build Connections Cultivate professional relationships that support you, your creative endeavours and the things you are passionate about as an artist. My client had a network of artist friends that she realized was a valuable asset that she could leverage more intentionally by initiating a monthly gathering to support each other. She also came to shift her mindset that her studio peers and even other artists she followed on social media were another source of inspiration, learning and support rather than a source of comparison. A professional network is an invaluable resource for any artist or creative professional. Our professional connections and relationships provide us with a sense of belonging, access to valuable information, sources of advice and ideas, resources and skills that we don’t possess ourselves and new opportunities.

 

Be Authentic Listen to your gut, head and heart as you consider "What matters to you in the bigger picture?" “What’s core to your artistic practice or work as a creative professional?” You are capable of navigating rejection and uncertainty and staying true to yourself. My client valued kindness, being accountable and engaging with and contributing to a community of other artists. Before her kindness was often directed outward. Once she was able to take her own self-care into account, she was able to, in her words, find ways to hold herself “more kindly accountable and engaged”. This was actually huge and a complete mindset shift that helped her take action and take control in several areas and ultimately build her resilience.

 

I hope you feel inspired to try one or more of these strategies to build your ability to bounce back and forward in your career and life as a creative!

 

About the Author

Chris Mitchell is a professional coach providing collaborative, results-oriented support to artists and creatives at pivotal points in their careers. With over three decades of leadership experience in creative and arts-based businesses and non-profit organizations, she helps artists build sustainable and fulfilling lives as creative professionals. Chris holds a BFA and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaches Federation. Based in Toronto, Canada, she works with clients across Canada, the U.S., and globally. Learn more and contact www.chrismitchell-lifecoach.com Read more articles like this on Chris’ blog https://www.chrismitchell-lifecoach.com/blog Stay inspired with tips and strategies by following @chrismitchell_coachescreatives