On January 22 I posted a quote from Sylvia Plath (1932-1963):

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”

Rather than just leaping in with my own thoughts, I offered blog readers  and followers the opportunity to share their view — so a big thank you to Gail Halsted who replied as follows:

“…Not sure about this but certainly the hesitation to have ones work critiqued by other good authors. Also the lack of discipline and procrastination.”

All of which prompted me to reflect a little more deeply and then (as is often my way 🙂 ) emulate a Tolkien elf and answer “both yes and no.”

So I agree with both Sylvia Plath and Gail that a lack of belief in oneself can definitely sabotage creativity, particularly if it leads one to not create at all — or to create, but be reluctant to show the work to others, or put it out there into the world. Self doubt may also lead to “overdoing” the creative work, e.g. overediting a novel or poem, which can feel very self-destructive.

My but, however, is that self-doubt may also aid the creative process if it leads one to review and question what has been achieved; to strive to be and do better; and to remain open to feedback and be willing to change where that feedback resonates. In these circumstances, it may support creative achievement, rather than undermining it.

In summary, if self-doubt is of crippling proportions, or leads one to always heed others’ views over one’s own creative instincts, then I agree that it undermines, or may even overwhelm, creativity. But if it’s part of the picture but kept in balance, then it may play a positive part.

Needless to say, I am very happy to hear more viewpoints on this. 😀