Ever notice how one “wrong” brushstroke can send you into a spiral? You’re standing in your studio, brush in hand, and suddenly the inner courtroom opens up. The judge, jury, and executioner? All you.
This episode is about what I call self-aggression. Those tiny but brutal ways we attack ourselves for daring to experiment, for not being perfect, for being… human. And here’s the thing: it’s costing you way more than you realize.
I’ll walk you through why we confuse self-criticism with professionalism, how it’s secretly strangling your creativity, and what happens when you trade all that punishment for curiosity instead. (Hint: your studio becomes the safest, most exciting place to create.)
You’ll hear real stories from Growth Studio: Leslie catching herself in an “auction spiral,” Megan reframing her supply list, Scott protecting his energy, and Cece navigating the push-pull of play vs. control. Plus, I’ll share a micro-meltdown of my own and how I turned it around.
If you’ve ever started an apology tour before showing your work, or if you’ve ever thought “I’m such an idiot” mid-painting—this one’s for you.
Your Episode Map
0:23 – The brushstroke that ruins everything (or does it?)
1:59 – How “I’m such an idiot” sneaks into your studio
5:49 – Why being hard on yourself isn’t “professional” (it’s poison)
7:39 – Curiosity vs. criticism: the C in CREATE that changes everything
8:32 – What self-aggression is secretly costing you (spoiler: it’s huge)
13:12 – Real Growth Studio stories: auctions, supply lists, and saying no
25:00 – My own meltdown over a 2-inch drawing
36:01 – The truth bomb: self-trust is the ultimate creative flex
For Your Studio Wall
Words worth pinning next to your easel:
- “Curiosity opens possibilities. Criticism shuts them down.”
- “Failure isn’t evidence against you—it’s information for you.”
- “Your studio is not a courtroom. Make it a laboratory.”
- “Treat yourself like your favorite student.”
- “The way you talk to yourself shows up on the canvas.”
What to Bring Into the Studio With You
- A daily rep: catch one micro-aggression and reframe it with curiosity.
- Neutral share rule: present your work without the apology preface.
- Constraints as safety: same size, same tools, familiar setups = freedom to explore.
- A pre-painting intention: I’m here to explore, not to be perfect.
