7 Excuses Holding You Back from Stepping Into Your Creative Power
And the deeper truths your soul is ready to remember
There’s a quiet whisper inside you.
Maybe you’ve heard it when your hands hover over your journal, when you're rearranging your space, admiring someone else’s art, or dreaming about a more aligned life.
It’s the whisper that says:
*"There’s more for you here."
But before you can follow it, the excuses arrive, not loudly, but persistently.
They sneak in through the cracks of self-doubt, fear, and conditioning, convincing you that now’s not the time, or that creative power simply wasn’t meant for you.
The truth is: your excuses aren’t the problem.
They’re the symptom of deeper patterns, ones that can be healed, rewired, and gently released.
Let’s take a closer look at 7 common excuses that may be holding you back...
1. Inherited Beliefs About Creativity and Skill
You may have grown up in a home, culture, or community where creativity was dismissed as frivolous, unnecessary, or even self-indulgent. Perhaps you heard phrases like "art won’t pay the bills," "you’re either born with talent or not," or "focus on something more practical."
Over time, these messages sink in. They become embedded beliefs that shape how you see yourself. You start to believe that creativity is only for the gifted, the professional, or the eccentric, and that it's too late to start if you missed the boat.
The truth: Creativity isn’t something you need to earn. It's a language your soul already speaks. When you peel away the inherited stories and start to listen inward, you begin to realise that your desire to create isn't random, it's a sacred invitation to reclaim a part of yourself that never stopped yearning to be seen, heard, and expressed.
2. Imposter Syndrome
Even when you feel that flicker of inspiration, imposter syndrome often rushes in like a flood. Thoughts like "Who am I to do this?", "I’m not creative enough," or "Someone else is already doing it better" become so loud they drown out the creative whisper.
You might feel like a fraud, especially if you’re starting later in life or experimenting with new forms of creative expression. It’s easy to doubt your voice when the world prizes external recognition and polished results over personal truth.
The truth: Creativity isn’t about proving anything. It’s about remembering who you are. Your unique lived experience, perspective, and emotional world are your superpowers. When you create from the inside out, imposter syndrome begins to dissolve, not because the fear disappears, but because you finally stop abandoning yourself.
3. Comparison Loops and Perfection Paralysis
You open Instagram or Pinterest and scroll through perfectly curated images of people living their creative dream. And just like that, your own ideas feel small, messy, and unworthy.
Comparison is paralysing because it disconnects you from your own truth. It keeps you stuck in a cycle of editing yourself before you even begin. Perfectionism tells you that if it can't be flawless, it's not worth doing, and so, nothing gets created at all.
The truth: True creative power comes from authenticity, not aesthetics. It’s not about matching someone else’s highlight reel,it’s about creating something that feels like you. Your vulnerability, your rawness, your messy beginnings, these are not weaknesses. They are the sacred ground of your becoming.
4. Procrastination Disguised as Protection
You’ve bought the art supplies, the beautiful journal, or the course. You say you’ll start next week. But somehow, the days pass and your creative dream remains untouched.
Procrastination isn’t laziness, it’s often self-protection. Creating asks you to show up vulnerably. It asks you to explore emotions, unknowns, and parts of yourself that may have been long buried. That can feel confronting. So your nervous system puts on the brakes.
The truth: You don’t need more discipline, you need gentleness, safety, and compassion. When creativity is nurtured in a space of warmth and non-judgment, procrastination softens. You begin to trust the process, not because it’s perfect, but because you feel supported enough to begin.
5. Lack of Guidance and a Nourishing Framework
Without support, it’s easy to flounder. You might try to start a creative practice but quickly lose momentum or feel unsure what to do next. The old patterns creep in, and without a framework, you return to autopilot.
Many of us were never taught how to tend to our creativity with care. We weren’t shown how to create rituals, how to listen to our inner guidance, or how to stay connected when life gets busy.
The truth: Creativity blooms inside a safe container. Having a structure that honours your rhythm, your soul, and your needs can make all the difference. That’s what a spiritual, soul-led creative practice offers, not rigid rules, but a sacred rhythm that keeps you connected to your inner spark.
6. No Clear Vision or Creative Commitment
You want to feel more creative, but without a clear intention, the desire drifts. It becomes something you think about rather than something you live. And without consistent time and space for it, your creativity feels more like a fantasy than a grounded practice.
The truth: You don’t need an elaborate goal. You need a deep why and a loving how. Some simple goals and a soulful intention can anchor your practice and give you a reason to keep showing up, to move through the messy middle and inevitabe discomfort as your creativity grows. When you commit to your creative self, you begin to shift from passively waiting for inspiration to actively fulfilling your creative desires.
7. Fear of Being Seen or Changed
Creativity is not neutral. It invites growth. It demands truth. It shifts your energy and expands your identity.
And that can feel terrifying. Because what happens if you change too much? What if people don’t understand? What if stepping into your creative power disrupts the life you’ve carefully built?
The truth: Growth will always bring change, but it will never ask you to become someone you’re not. It simply invites you to return to who you’ve always been. When you step into your creative power, you don’t lose yourself. You find yourself. And you discover a deeper sense of safety and sovereignty than anything the outside world can offer.
What becomes possible when you stop believing the excuses?
You begin to create not just art, but a life that reflects your truth.
You reclaim parts of yourself that you didn’t even realise you’d abandoned.
You soften into your power and remember what it means to be whole.
This is what my work is here to support you with. Through a soul-led blend of creative exploration, spiritual tools, and compassionate guidance, we release the stories holding you back and gently build a practice that feels like home.
Because your soul isn’t whispering by accident.
It’s calling you into your next chapter.
Soulful Reflection:
Which excuse have you been holding onto, and what could shift if you stopped believing it?
Take care,
Sam x
P.S. if you enjoyed this article, please make sure to check out my podcast - Soul-led Creative Women
A podcast for heart-centered, creative women who are ready to reclaim their spark and live with deeper meaning, authenticity, and soul.
Each episode is an invitation to uncover the spiritual power of creativity to heal, nurture, empower, and transform. Through honest stories, soulful conversations, and inspiring tools, we’ll explore how art-making and spiritual practices can help you reconnect to your truth and live more expansively.
Your creativity isn’t a luxury, it’s your way back to yourself. Let’s explore how together.