I love painting, and I've had a few years where I got into the rhythm of painting and was comfortable with it. I have art from those years I look back on that make me happy even if the art isn't good when I was learning and figuring it out. When I go for a long time not painting I get anxiety about trying again, and in recent months when I try to paint, I don't know what I'm doing due to being out of practice, and I lose any motivation to continue when the painting goes badly. This winter I've wanted to try to make some new paintings, but go through this problem where I spend all this time trying to prep myself up for it. I'll clean my desk and set up a work station, all the paints ready, references up and ready on the laptop. Then I sit down and start panicking. I sweat, my head spins, heart races, and I feel like crying. It is so annoying and I hatei t. This is definitely the biggest hurdle. And without fail it always comes back. Even when I was "comfortable" while painting, I still had some moderate anxiety during the process. There is one painting I've made about ten years ago, and I'll never forget how at ease I felt at that time. I wish I could re-experience that relaxed confidence I felt then.

DAE know how to get over this hurdle? I hear all the time "just do it" (nike) hehe, of course I get that, and I do try to push through it but the anxiety doesn't really go away while I'm painting. Lately though it's been very hard. Are there other tips you have for chilling out and getting over the performance anxiety?