Are You Chasing Shiny Objects Instead of Making Art?
How one simple question is helping me cut through creative overwhelm
Monday morning. Shiny object syndrome had struck again. I could have spent my day off working on illustrations for my portfolio and Substack articles but no, I spent it having a conversation with Claude (AI) about whether to apply for the Association of Illustrators free mentoring scheme. That might sound like overthinking, but I’m glad I did rather than launch straight into an application and spend an entire day on the wrong thing.
What it ultimately came down to was that I was considering applying because I thought I ‘should’ - that’s what aspiring illustrators do, right? They take all the opportunities they can get to gain feedback and exposure. And, even as someone who’s working on their fear of being seen and has started a consistent output on Substack, I never feel like I’m doing enough. I mean, I’m not yet approaching art directors, and I haven’t earned any money from illustration – and those are the metrics the outside world deems as important.
It got me thinking about how overwhelmed I am in general, and about shiny object syndrome – that tendency to fixate on a new and fashionable idea regardless of how valuable it will ultimately be. It has a proper definition and everything, which tells you it’s a real thing. And it turns out creatives are particularly prone to it.
Turns out most artists are susceptible to ‘shiny object syndrome’
Why are creatives so susceptible? For a start, we thrive on new ideas and possibilities – it’s part of how we’re wired. There’s also the pressure to stay relevant and the fear of missing out on the latest trends or opportunities. The internet age constantly bombards us with new tools, platforms, and strategies, feeding the belief that the next thing will be the magic bullet for success.
I think FOMO is the most relevant thing for me. I’ve written previously about there being no map for becoming an illustrator. Sure, there are basic guidelines of what’s worked previously and for other people, but as individuals, each of us has got to discover the way they work best. The trouble is a lot of people are shouting that they have found THE WAY to creative success. For someone navigating a new path, as well as feeling unsure about their creative voice and being visible, it’s easy to buy into the idea that I’m not doing enough, that I’m not doing it the ‘right’ way, and that getting over one’s fears involves doing ANYTHING to move forward.
I’ve got a plan that I want to work on for the rest of the year in terms of my portfolio and, having established it’s not the right time to apply to the AOI mentorship scheme, I know need to focus on finding creative connections in real life, rather than in the black hole I feel is social media.
So here’s the filter I’m going to use from now on. Before I say yes to anything new, I’m asking myself: does this [shiny new thing] help me make more work, or show the work I’ve done? If it’s a ‘no’ it can be ignored entirely or let it wait.
Learning to ‘filter’ opportunities
What I also need to do is make a monthly list of what I HAVE done, no matter how small, so I can see that I am making progress. The AOI mentorship decision was a good example – saying no to it felt like giving something up, but it was actually protecting the plan I already have. The work of separating myself from others’ (largely imagined!) expectations is an ongoing process, but having a simple question to reach for helps.
Are you susceptible to shiny object syndrome? I’d love to know how you filter out what to pursue – and what you’ve said no to lately that turned out to be the right call.