sources. We can neutralize them once we recognize them as
a sort of creative virus. Affirmations are a powerful antidote
for self-hate, which commonly appears under the mask of
self-doubt.
Early in our creative recovery, self-doubt can lure us into
self-sabotage. A common form for this sabotage is showing
someone our morning pages. Remember, the morning pages
are private and are not intended for the scrutiny of well-
meaning friends. One newly unblocked writer showed his
morning pages to a writer friend who was still blocked.
When she critiqued them, he blocked again.
Do not let your self-doubt turn into self-sabotage.

POISONOUS PLAYMATES

Creativity flourishes when we have a sense of safety and
self-acceptance. Your artist, like a small child, is happiest
when feeling a sense of security. As our artist’s protective
parent, we must learn to place our artist with safe
companions. Toxic playmates can capsize our artist’s
growth.
Not surprisingly, the most poisonous playmates for us as
recovering creatives are people whose creativity is still
blocked. Our recovery threatens them.
As long as we were blocked, we often felt that it was
arrogance and self-will to speak of ourselves as creative