Doubt

All too often I receive a visit from that pesky little demon called "doubt." If allowed to come in, it can seep through my pores and develop into self-sabotage, dismantling all my creativity.
Last week I was working on an artistic project for a client's wedding. She had used my work before and called again for an additional request. The request was a little outside my usual work and I began to doubt myself. Could I do what she requested? Yes, I could do it. Could I do it perfectly? No, I couldn't. Would she be happy with it? I didn't know. I wanted to make her happy and I doubted I could produce something that would meet her expectations. Doubt had seeped in and taken control of my psyche.

I began working on the project and I heard the voice of doubt telling me that it was not perfect and it would never be good enough. It told me that I wasn't good enough. I threw countless sheets of paper away, then in total frustrastion decided I needed to take a break. I refused to focus on it and started ironing instead. As I was ironing, something popped into my head, just out of the blue. I remembered seeing a show about "decluttering" your house. The host's advice when choosing what to keep or let go of, was that one should heed the mantra, "when in doubt, throw it out." Instantly, I knew this was not a random thought, but soul guidance speaking out to me. I was "in doubt" and I needed to "throw it out."
I sat right back down, released the doubt, and finished the project. Second guessing or self-sabotage was no longer allowed. I felt good about the work I produced and the client was happy too.

Undoubtedly, my pesky little visitor will return again and spew the trash talk. The next time "doubt" sashays into my psyche, I'm prepared to declutter my mind and just "throw it out."