Last Thursday, every time I got ready to go back to my painting table, I’d think, “Oh, but I need to _______ first.” Every time I started back to my office, I’d immediately think of something else that needed to be done. Suddenly the lightbulb came on — I was just making excuses so I didn’t have to go paint.

I started a new watercolor course last week and the first couple of lessons hadn’t gone well. I realized that, subconsciously at least, I was experiencing some internal resistance to getting back to painting. I think I was feeling discouraged about my results from the previous two lessons and was afraid of another disappointment.

I was getting in my own way! Honestly, I’m my biggest roadblock when it comes to a lot of things. I let my fear of failure or perfectionist tendencies get in the way of my progress.

Here’s the thing: I know intellectually that things aren’t always going to go well when you’re doing something new. (That’s true whether it’s art, or a new job, or a new skill….the list could go on and on….) I also know that I need to approach each painting session with a growth mindset, but that doesn’t always change the way I feel about it.

Another part of the equation for me is that I had decided to go back to the basics just to refresh my skills and knowledge. I really don’t enjoy doing those foundational painting exercises. I do them because they’re necessary, but I’d much rather be painting something that actually looks like a painting.

The thing is, though, if you don’t get those foundational things right, even if you do manage to paint something that looks like a painting, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good painting.

I knew if I’m ever going to become the artist I want to be, I had to figure out how to get out of my own way. The only way to get better is to get those ‘miles’ on your paintbrush. I needed a plan.

I know myself, and I know if I force myself to do something I really dislike I won’t stick with it. Fortunately for me, The Garden Studio, which I recently joined, was doing a Loose Florals Workshop. It’s perfect for beginners because Alex goes over foundational watercolor skills, but you actually have something that looks like something when you’re done.

I decided I would start the first session that day. That turned out to be the perfect thing for me to do! I was able to practice my basic skills, and I was pleased to have some cute little flowers on my sketchbook page when I was done.

This turned out to be a double blessing for me. On Friday, I got home from doing errands and realized I hadn’t picked up a gift bag for my Mom’s gift. We had 60,000 extra people in town for college graduations, and I really didn’t want to have to get back out in all that traffic. I realized I had some brown Kraft paper bags, and I thought, “Why not paint one of those?” I used the little flower technique I’d just learned to paint her gift bag.

Was it perfect? Not even close! But you know what? That’s okay. My Mom was happy with it and I didn’t have to go back out for a gift bag.

That’s another blessing from this workshop – I was reminded that I can leave my perfectionist tendencies behind and choose to embrace imperfection.

So often when we’re stuck, it’s because we’re standing in our own way. Maybe it’s our mindset, a lack of skill, or maybe even a dislike of some of the things we have to do to get where we want to be. Sometimes we just have to know ourselves and how we’re wired, get creative, and find something that works for us.

Have you ever found yourself getting in your own way? What helped you move forward? Please share!