Nicki Traikos | life i design |

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How to Approach a Blank Page

There’s something about looking at a blank page that is intimidating.  It can cause fear, tension, apprehension, and maybe even some commitment issues.  It’s scary creating something new and sometimes the pressure of “maybe it won’t be good enough” sets into your mind.

Today, I’m here to tell you - it is just a blank page, nothing more. 

In this blog post, I am going to share with you a few of my favourite tips that I talked about in my most recent podcast episode, to get out of fear and step into the flow of diving in and just starting!

Tip 1:

So first things first, we need to address this: value isn’t in the blank page. We get caught up sometimes and place all our value into our blank page when really..the value isn’t in the blank page - it’s in the process. 

If you stop placing the value on the blank page amazing things will happen!

Instead of looking at a blank page and being afraid to start - look at it and imagine what it could look like with your work on it then, just start. 

Start somewhere, start messy, pick colors and start moving your brush. That’s how some of my best work comes to life. 

Once you start, your blank canvas doesn’t exist - you’ve gotten over the hardest hurdle and now you have the beginning of something great.  

Tip 2:

Now, let’s say you’ve picked up a new journal. If you’re like me, you probably got the journal because of how the cover felt, how the journal looked, you fell in love with it. Great!

Next up, crack that journal open and write the following:

Write your “name - I am so freaking grateful for this journal. It makes me so happy to put pen to paper.”

Then continue to write. You can write about:

  • your day 

  • what you're making for dinner 

  • your favourite lyrics

  • anything!

The point is to just start and let your words carry you from there. 

That journal or sketchbook or blank canvas doesn’t mean anything until YOU fill it up with your marks.


Tip 3:

Release any emotion you have and pressure you are putting on this blank page. 

Once you can emotionally release that pressure you can let that creativity flow.

Flow guides creation.

Sit down every day to your blank canvas and practice these things. As I have said before, practice is the key to success and the only way to overcome your fear of a blank canvas is to address it every day and practice strategies to move forward.

For my final two tips check out my podcast episode! I also share a personal story from my past where I first realized that fear of a blank canvas is something that many people suffer from.

Remember, you are never alone and your fears are valid, but in order to become our most creative selves, we must push past fear and allow ourselves to create. To be messy, imperfect and find our own unique creative flow.

Let me know if these tips help you fill blank pages with anything you are called to create!!

x Nicki