The TWELVE TRAITS of the Avoidant Artist

1. We grew up in an atmosphere of emotional invalidation, which resulted in ambivalence
about our artistic expression.

2. In any given twenty-four hour period we find ways, consciously or unconsciously, to
avoid doing that which gives us the most joy -- expressing our creativity.

3. We have withdrawn from our art by investing ourselves in lifestyles, relationships and
work activities incompatible with our artistic purpose. Our creative energy has often
been diverted into destructive compulsions toward alcohol, food, sex, money, drugs,
gambling and preoccupation with the past.

4. We have made needless sacrifices for our art and yet are afraid to make the necessary
sacrifices. We are unable to balance the significant areas of our lives -- Physical,
Financial, Social, Love, Family, Spiritual and Creative.

5. Self-defeating thoughts and societal myths turn in our heads: It’s too late -- I’m too
old -- I’m not ready -- I am not enough -- Art is not practical -- Artists are neurotic --
You’ll starve. We have accepted these as true when, in fact, they are not.

6. We have felt intimidated by other artists’ success. Jealousy, envy, fear, self-pity,
perfectionism, resentment and other character defects block our creative expression.