Stuck in a Creative BLOCK? THIS X-Minute Practice Will Unlock Your Creativity (This Quick Daily Act Will Help You Feel Inspired Again!) With Amie McNee
In this episode of On Purpose, Jay Shetty and artist Amie McNee discuss how creators can overcome creative blocks and develop a healthier relationship with their artistic expression. Through personal experiences and practical insights, they explore how journaling and embracing imperfection can help artists move past creative shame and fear of judgment.
The conversation examines several aspects of the creative journey, from setting achievable daily goals to challenging the "starving artist" narrative. McNee and Shetty address how artists can properly value their work, transform creative fears into opportunities for growth, and use feelings like envy as motivation rather than obstacles. They also discuss how artists can embrace their unique voice while accepting that creativity isn't limited to traditional art forms.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jul 16, 2025 episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty
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1-Page Summary
Overcoming Creative Inhibitions and Shame
In a conversation between Jay Shetty and Amie McNee, they explore how artists can overcome creative barriers and develop a healthier relationship with their artistic expression.
Reclaiming Artistic Voice
McNee shares her transformative experience with journaling, which helped her overcome creative shame. She emphasizes that withholding art means losing potential ideas and encourages artists to create despite fear of judgment. Shetty adds how a teacher helped him redefine art, showing that creativity isn't limited to traditional forms.
Creative Process and the Value of "Shitty Art"
McNee advocates for embracing imperfection in the creative process, suggesting that artists should allow themselves to create "shitty art" rather than being paralyzed by perfectionism. She describes how setting modest daily goals, like writing 300-500 words, can help overcome creative blocks. Both speakers emphasize that the magic in art often emerges from messy, playful creation rather than rigid perfectionism.
Monetizing and Valuing Creative Work
The conversation turns to the challenges artists face in valuing their work. McNee challenges the "starving artist" narrative, introducing the concept of the "middle-class artist" as a healthy alternative. Shetty shares his own journey of learning to charge for his work after his monk training, while McNee emphasizes that artists deserve fair compensation for their impact on society.
The Abundance Mindset for Creative Pursuits
McNee and Shetty discuss transforming creative fears into opportunities for growth. They suggest reframing envy as a compass for personal development, with McNee describing how she uses feelings of jealousy as motivation rather than letting them be debilitating. Both speakers encourage artists to embrace their unique voice, emphasizing that impacting even a small audience can be meaningful.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- While journaling can be transformative for some, it may not be the best tool for everyone; different artists may find other methods more effective for overcoming creative shame.
- Withholding art can sometimes be a strategic decision, allowing for refinement and maturation of ideas before they are shared.
- Fear of judgment can sometimes act as a quality filter, pushing artists to produce better work.
- Traditional forms of creativity have stood the test of time for a reason, and there is value in mastering these before venturing into uncharted territories.
- Embracing imperfection is important, but striving for excellence can also drive artistic growth and lead to higher quality work.
- The concept of "shitty art" might be demotivating for some artists who are striving for excellence and could potentially undermine the pursuit of craftsmanship.
- Setting modest daily goals is helpful, but some artists may thrive with a more flexible and spontaneous approach to creation.
- While messy, playful creation can lead to magic in art, some artists may find that a more structured and disciplined approach is more conducive to their creativity.
- The "middle-class artist" concept, while a healthy alternative, may not address the systemic issues that make the "starving artist" narrative prevalent.
- Fair compensation is ideal, but the market value of art is not always aligned with societal impact, and artists may need to find alternative revenue streams.
- Transforming fears into opportunities is easier said than done, and some fears may require professional support to manage.
- Envy, even when reframed as a compass, can still be a destructive emotion if not handled carefully.
- Using jealousy as motivation can sometimes lead to unhealthy competition rather than genuine personal growth.
- Embracing a unique voice is important, but artists also need to consider market trends and audience preferences if they wish to make a living from their art.
- Impacting a small audience is meaningful, but artists often aspire to reach a wider audience to sustain themselves financially and achieve broader recognition.
Actionables
- Start a "Creative Fear Log" where you jot down fears as they arise and next to each, brainstorm ways to turn that fear into a creative action or project. For example, if you're afraid your art won't be well-received, plan to create a piece that intentionally breaks a conventional rule or explores an unpopular theme, thus using the fear as a catalyst for innovation.
- Develop a "Creative Exchange" with a friend where you both agree to share your least polished work with each other once a week, fostering a space where imperfection is not only accepted but celebrated. This could be a rough sketch, an unedited poem, or a simple melody – the key is to share something that feels unfinished or imperfect to practice vulnerability and diminish the fear of judgment.
- Create a "Jealousy Map" by listing out people whose success or skills you envy and then identify the qualities or achievements you desire. Use this map to set small, achievable goals for yourself that align with these qualities. For instance, if you're envious of a writer's evocative storytelling, you might set a goal to write a short story each month that focuses on strong emotional themes.
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Overcoming Creative Inhibitions and Shame
Jay Shetty and Amie McNee discuss the importance of evolving with one's creative process and nurturing self-talk to overcome shame and inhibitions tied to creativity.
Reclaiming Artistic Voice: Embrace Creativity Without Shame or Self-Judgment
Jay Shetty reflects on starting his career speaking to small audiences, grateful for those early, formative experiences. He finds value in practicing with smaller groups and developing abilities through evolving interactions.
Amie McNee talks about the transformative day she began journaling, allowing for shame-free creativity in her life. She acknowledges the weight of shame and societal narratives limiting creatives, urging individuals to release perfectionism and just create.
Shetty shares how a teacher expanded his perception of art, helping him to enjoy creativity and redefine what art meant to him. Both speakers endorse the idea that everyone can reclaim "art" for themselves and that embracing one's artistic side, in any form, is essential.
McNee emphasizes the need to care for creative ideas, warning that withholding art means losing the potential for those ideas to flourish. Even facing judgment and vulnerability, she affirms that art’s worth lies beyond the fear that it might not be understood or accepted.
McNee remembers being hindered by judgments of high school peers, how she made a choice to block them out to grow as a writer, and the significance of creating safe spaces for artistic growth. She suggests that making art is both risky and rewarding, revealing one's insecurities and difficult narratives.
McNee advises not waiting for personal issues to be resolved before creating, highlighting the importance of claiming space for art and establishing boundaries to make creativity feel safer.
She stresses the power of giving oneself permission to make art without need for external validation. McNee speak ...
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Overcoming Creative Inhibitions and Shame
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While practicing with smaller groups can be beneficial, some individuals may find that they thrive better in larger groups or different environments where the stakes are higher, as this can sometimes push them to perform at their best.
- Journaling as a form of shame-free creativity is effective for many, but it might not work for everyone; some people may find other forms of expression, like physical activity or meditation, more therapeutic or conducive to their creativity.
- The idea that everyone can reclaim "art" for themselves is empowering, but it's important to recognize that not everyone may identify with being an artist or feel the need to engage in traditional forms of artistic expression.
- Caring for creative ideas is crucial, but it's also necessary to acknowledge that not all ideas will be viable or worth pursuing. Critical discernment is important in the creative process.
- While it's beneficial not to wait for personal issues to be resolved before creating, for some individuals, certain issues may need to be addressed first to provide the mental space and energy for creativity.
- Giving oneself permission to make art without external validation is empowering, but some artists may find t ...
Actionables
- Start a 'creative breakfast club' with friends where you meet weekly to share and discuss your art, no matter how unfinished or imperfect. This creates a small, supportive community that encourages the evolution of your creative skills through regular, low-pressure interactions. For example, each member could bring a sketch, a poem, or a piece of writing to share over coffee, fostering a routine that normalizes creating and sharing without judgment.
- Designate a 'play space' in your home where the only rule is to create without expectations. This could be a corner with art supplies, a musical instrument, or writing materials that you use to spontaneously craft something whenever you feel inspired, without the pressure to produce something perfect. Think of it as a sandbox for your creativity where anything goes, whether it's finger painting, doodling, or composing a silly song.
- Implement a 'five-minute creation challenge' into your daily ...
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Creative Process and the Value of "Shitty Art"
Amie McNee, in conversation with Jay Shetty, champions the advantages of embracing imperfection and messiness in the creative process, advocating for artists to approach their work playfully and without the constraints of perfectionism.
Approach Creative Work Playfully and Experimentally, Not With Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be stifling to creative endeavors. McNee discusses how letting go of the need for perfection can yield remarkable breakthroughs in the creative process. She recalls a moment when she shifted her writing goal to a modest 300 to 500 words a day, allowing those words to be imperfect or "shitty." This change in mindset helped her overcome the unrealistic demands of perfect art, especially during times of exhaustion.
Playfulness and chaos within the creative process help maintain an artist's enthusiasm, McNee states, which can otherwise be dampened by rigid marketing demands such as consistent social media posts and personal branding strategies. McNee draws attention to the relationship between procrastination and perfectionism, where the latter often leads to the former. Creating what she calls "spectacularly shitty first drafts" not only keeps the creative process lively but also helps avoid paralysis by perfection.
Perfectionism Stifles Creativity and Causes Procrastination; Embracing Imperfection Fosters Artistic Discovery
McNee argues against excessive finessing of art, which can lead to an artist losing their voice and becoming overly confined. She urges artists to permit themselves to create without an obsession over precision. She also speaks to the destructive capability of rigidity in a creative career and encourages artists to combat this with manageable goals to facilitate regular creation and trust in the process.
Honor the Messy, Nonlinear Creative Process
McNee advocates for embracing the disarray inherent in creativity and bringing that genuine, unpolished process into the promotion of artists' work. She believes the magic in art lies within the mess and play that go into both creating and sharing it. McNee invites artists to make what she terms "shitty art," which involves shedding the weight of perfectionism and allowing oneself to create freely. She emphasizes the significance of accumulating small wins through achievable creative tasks, which can eventually yield a portfolio and advancement as an artist.
Encouragement For Artists to Create Freely Without Focus on End Product
This approach acknowledges the nonlinear nature of creativity, valuing the su ...
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Creative Process and the Value of "Shitty Art"
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Counterarguments
- While embracing imperfection can be liberating, some artists may find that a certain level of perfectionism drives them to improve their skills and produce high-quality work.
- A playful and experimental approach may not be suitable for all types of creative work, especially in fields that require precision and accuracy, such as technical writing or medical illustration.
- Setting modest goals for daily output can be helpful, but it might also lead to complacency or a lack of ambition in some artists who thrive under more challenging conditions.
- Chaos and playfulness can maintain enthusiasm, but without some structure, it may be difficult to complete projects or meet deadlines, which are often necessary in professional settings.
- While first drafts are often imperfect, the discipline of refining and improving those drafts is crucial for many artists to develop their work to its full potential.
- Embracing a messy, nonlinear creative process can be beneficial, but for some, a more organized and systematic approach may lead to better results and a clearer development of ideas.
- The concept of "shitty art" might undermine the value of striving for excellence and could potentially discourage artists from seeking constructive criticism and growth.
- Focusing solely on small wins might limit an artist's vision and prevent them from undertaking larger, more ambitious projects that could push their boundaries.
- While a surge of ideas is valuable, without focus and refinement, these idea ...
Actionables
- You can start a "Creative Chaos Journal" where you jot down or sketch any idea that comes to mind, no matter how unrefined. This journal is a physical space where you can be as disorganized and spontaneous as you like, encouraging you to let go of the need for order in your creative thoughts. For example, use different colored pens or pencils to scribble ideas, draw doodles, or even stick in random cutouts from magazines that inspire you.
- Set a timer for a "Rapid Creation Session" where you produce as much content as possible within a limited time frame, like 15 minutes. The goal is to focus on quantity over quality, which can help you overcome the fear of imperfection. For instance, if you're a writer, you could try to write a complete story or poem within the time limit without worrying about spelling, grammar, or coherence.
- Organize a "Messy Art Day" with friends or family where the only ...
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Monetizing and Valuing One's Creative Work
Jay Shetty and Amie McNee delve into the complex territory of valuing and monetizing creative work, outlining the emotional and societal challenges that artists face in the journey of acknowledging the worth of their art.
Artists Struggle to Value Their Art
Shetty and McNee reflect on the internal struggles artists face in measuring their own art’s value.
The Speaker Stresses Art's Value In Affecting Emotions, Mind, and Body, and That Artists Merit Fair Pay
Amie McNee talks about the shame surrounding money and how narratives that glorify either poverty for artists or extreme success set unrealistic expectations and create harmful stereotypes. She emphasizes the real impact that art can have on physical health, mental health, and communities, asserting that artists should recognize the non-frivolous nature of their work. She insists that art incites real changes—political, personal, and biological—in people's lives, and because of that, artists deserve fair compensation.
Jay Shetty echoes this sentiment, noting that artists often neglect to account for the experience and training behind their art when valuing their work. Both he and McNee argue against the mindset that if art is joyfully created or helps others, it should be free. They discuss the struggle artists face between making art for passion and its need for validation. McNee makes the case for a world where artists receive monetary support to enable them to enrich society with more art.
McNee points out the struggle artists face when their work isn't acknowledged. She gestures to the difficulty of pricing art and the arbitrary nature of assigning its monetary value. She insists that selling art and requesting compensation is a generous act, tying back to the need for artists to understand and believe in the impact of their work.
Embracing a "Middle-Class Artist" Mindset for a Stable Creative Career
Shifting the Narrative: Valuing Artists Beyond "Starving" or Successful
Jay Shetty shares his struggles with the idea of charging for his work, a notion influenced by his history of monk training where everything was done as charity. He came to understand that valuing his work monetarily was crucial to continue cr ...
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Monetizing and Valuing One's Creative Work
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Counterarguments
- The value of art is subjective, and what one person may see as valuable, another may not, making standardized valuation difficult.
- Market dynamics can complicate fair pay for artists, as oversupply and low demand can depress prices regardless of an artist's perceived worth.
- The concept of "fair pay" is complex and varies widely across different cultures, economies, and art forms.
- Some artists may choose to offer their work for free or at low cost as a strategic move to gain exposure or as a form of activism.
- The "middle-class artist" concept, while well-intentioned, may not account for the full diversity of artists' goals and definitions of success.
- Financial stability can be challenging in fields with inconsistent demand, and not all artists may be able to achieve a "middle-class" status despite their best efforts.
- The idea that artists should always be compensated may not align with all cultural values or artistic traditions where communal or shared art practices are the norm.
- The pre ...
Actionables
- You can start a peer review group with fellow artists to regularly discuss and assess the value of each other's work. By sharing perspectives on the time, effort, and skill that go into creating art, you'll gain a better understanding of how to price your work appropriately. For example, if you're a painter, you could meet monthly with other local painters to critique each other's pieces and suggest prices based on the group's collective experience.
- Create a personal "Art Impact Journal" where you document the reactions and emotions your art evokes in others. This can be as simple as a notebook where you jot down comments from people who view your art, or you could create a digital blog to reach a wider audience. This will help you internalize the value your art brings to others, reinforcing the idea that your work deserves fair compensation.
- Develop a workshop for artists on f ...
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The Abundance Mindset for Creative Pursuits
Jay Shetty and Amie McNee discuss the benefits of an abundance mindset in creativity, countering fears of oversaturation, and transforming envy into inspiration.
"Saturation in Creative Fields Excuses Playing Small, Not Embracing Artistic Voice"
Vast Human Appetite For Art Counters Oversaturation
During their conversation, Shetty and McNee touch on the fears many artists have about judgment and shame, which can prevent them from pursuing their creative dreams. They emphasize moving towards an abundance mindset where joy and satisfaction are derived from the creative process, overshadowing the fear of judgment and shame about creativity.
Amie McNee criticizes the binary narrative that compels artists to seek viral fame or accept the stereotype of a starving artist. She encourages artists to create art that impacts a smaller audience, which she believes is just as meaningful as going viral. McNee points out that individual creativity holds unique value, and if artists do not act on their ideas, those ideas will never be seen.
Harness Envy as Inspiration and Motivation
Reframing Envy As a Growth Compass For Artists
While envy is often seen as a negative emotion, McNee proposes viewing it as a compass indicating areas of ambition and aspiration. She discusses her own experiences of jealousy toward others' success and how she transforms those feelings into motivation and inspiration for her own work.
Instead of succumbing to destructive comparison, McNee chooses to learn from those she envies, such as ...
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The Abundance Mindset for Creative Pursuits
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Counterarguments
- While an abundance mindset can be beneficial, it may not address systemic issues in creative industries that limit opportunities for artists.
- The idea that creating for a smaller audience is just as meaningful as viral fame may not consider the financial realities and pressures that artists face.
- Reframing envy as a growth compass might not be feasible for everyone, as some individuals may struggle with deeper issues of self-esteem or mental health that make envy more harmful.
- The concept of using envy as motivation assumes that all individuals have the same capacity for self-reflection and emotional regulation.
- The advice to act on individual creativity doesn't account for the fact that not all ideas are viable or will be well-received, which can lead to disappointment or financial hardship.
- The encouragement to overcome creative inhibitions may overlook the value of critical self-reflection and the importance of recognizing one's limitations.
- The suggestion to learn from those ...
Actionables
- Turn envy into a personal masterclass by keeping a "Growth Compass" journal where you note down the qualities or achievements of others that trigger your envy. Instead of stewing in jealousy, dedicate a page to each person you envy and list the skills or attributes they have that you admire. Use this as a curriculum for your self-improvement, setting goals to develop these qualities in yourself through online courses, practice, or mentorship.
- Start a "Small Impact" project by choosing a cause or community you care about and creating art specifically for them. This could be as simple as painting murals at a local shelter, writing personalized poems for residents in a nursing home, or crafting handmade storybooks for children in your neighborhood. The goal is to focus on the meaningful connections and the joy of creation, rather than the scale of the audience.
- Develop a "Creative ...
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