Overcoming Self-Doubt: Keep Pushing Through Difficult Times

BLOG POST 10.9.25

Learning to Keep Going

As part of my plan to become a full-time ceramic artist, I’ve had to face the practical question of how to actually make it work. I’ve announced that I’ll stop making cakes at the end of the year. After that, I spent a while flailing around, trying to figure out how I could bring in at least a small, steady income.

My mind has been busy running through every possible worst-case scenario, which has left me feeling tired, anxious, and uninspired. So, what to do?

I decided to sign up for a Level 2 Digital Marketing course. My thinking was that it could support my part-time work ambitions, but also help with one of the hardest parts of running a creative business: selling. Selling has never felt comfortable for me, so this seemed like a step in the right direction.

What I hadn’t realised, though, was just how much 25 years of working with cake and buttercream (with the occasional foray into silicone) had left me behind in terms of computer skills. Having completed an MA not that long ago, I assumed I’d breeze through a Level 2 course. Well—no.

It’s been much harder than I expected, mostly because I find navigating the online format and my laptop confusing. Just yesterday, I spent two hours carefully writing up an answer, only to press return and watch the whole thing disappear. I’ve had assignments sent back because I haven’t answered questions fully, I can’t seem to upload links, and the terminology often leaves me puzzled. Honestly, I feel frustrated, confused, and a bit lost.

But here’s the thing: it’s also made me stop and think. Achieving anything worthwhile is rarely easy. And interestingly, my inner critic isn’t as loud here as it is when I’m working with clay. I don’t hear the same voice telling me I’m no good.

So, even though I’m not finding the course easy—or performing as well as I’d ideally like—I do believe I’ll finish it and get what I need from it. Maybe the biggest lesson so far is simply to keep going. Take it one question at a time. Pick myself up after mistakes. Try again.

And most importantly—keep going.

Have you ever taken on something new that turned out to be far harder than you expected? How did you keep yourself moving forward?

A peaceful mountain landscape that inspires reflection