Handling Creative Doubt in the New Year 💝
by NEW newsletter writer Kaylin Hechtle
For the artist, the familiar shock of a new year can come with some heavy, spiky reflection. “I can’t believe I’m still at this job.” “I feel like I’ve taken no steps toward my creative goals.” “I’m not nearly as ambitious as my creative friends and role models so I deserve to contribute NOTHING to the artistic canon of humanity!!!!!”
That last one may be a little dramatic… but whatever! Let’s be dramatic! The job market is scary, and the cold loom of fascism and AI and technocratic belligerence blar blar blar is making all of our eyes glaze over. Which means we need to be making & sharing art more than ever!
So, I digress. I’m actually not here to be the mayor of doomsville. But, I am going to talk about grappling with creative doubt—something I’ve faced lately, with my cool new position on this awesome creative magazine you may have heard of: Carolina Muse Literary & Arts Magazine!
Hi, I’m Kaylin! With Jenna moving on to be Carolina Muse’s Stories Editor (CUE THE APPLAUSE👏), I’m the new newsletter writer! I live in Wilmington, North Carolina. I like the Beastie Boys, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Rostam. In my free time, I walk, watch shows, read, write less than I’m supposed to, meditate, do photography, and make ambitious creative plans that I have yet to execute. Boom, we’re acquainted!
So, let’s talk about creative doubt. Why does it feel so impossible to execute the creative plans I believe in? (Don’t say ADHD.) To me, it all comes back to the brain.
Grass Will Grow
Visual Art by Moyan Wang
Issue V.II
The brain is designed for pattern recognition in order to keep you alive. Stovetop = hot = ow. You can also think about those quick, random thoughts that make you go, “Woah, I don’t agree with that at all. Where did that come from?” Your brain has catalogued all the rhetoric you’ve ever witnessed, so sometimes your brain is like, “This is correct response, yes?” and you have to be like, “Hey dude, not at all!”
Because the brain is obsessed with pattern recognition, it revels in predictability and is resistant to change. This is what makes doubt so convenient for the brain. When you come up with an ambitious creative goal, you’re pitching an unknowable, incalculable situation to your brain. And, how does your brain combat this unknowable, incalculable proposition? With doubt!
My doubt always takes on the same voice. I’m not good enough, not disciplined enough, I’m going to get fired, I’m going to give up, I shouldn’t even try. What do all these sentiments have in common? They keep me stagnant. I get fired, and now I’m back where I started. I don’t even try, so nothing changes.
Doubt is a trick of the mind to keep you in situations your brain is already familiar with.
Is thinking about doubt this way going to eliminate it entirely? Yes! Kidding. No. But, facing doubt in a pragmatic way takes some of the heat out of it. When I brush off doubt, it always comes back. So, holding onto negative emotions like that for one second longer in order to say, “What purpose are you trying to serve?” helps me demystify them.
So, go for it! Make art!!! “It’s going to be bad.” Okay, fine! Then make bad art! Put joy in the process! Make art in your favorite place, with your favorite people, eating your favorite food, drinking your favorite drink! Turn the making into a love letter to yourself.
Happy New Year!
Get excited for a new issue of Carolina Muse, hot off the press on February 14th, 2026!
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Carolina Arts Events in January
North Carolina
Durham, NC | January 1 | Free
Pull up to the Durham Armory for a full day of dancing, music, kids activities, face paint, drum circles, food trucks, vendors & more!
Under the Silver Moon Lantern Parade
Cary, NC | January 10 | Free
Enjoy a parade of unique, handmade paper lanterns throughout Downtown Cary Park.
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
Cary, NC | Ends January 11 | $16-$30
Immerse yourself in a world of wonder with thousands of all NEW handcrafted, illuminated lanterns showcasing various themes. This walk-through experience also features captivating cultural performances, a variety of concessions, and interactive elements.
IMPACT Series II: Music by Black Composers
Raleigh, NC | January 15 | Free; suggested donation
NCCMI Faculty Artists and Guest Musicians perform music by Black Composers in Honor of MLK, Jr. Day. Curated by Dr. Timothy Holley, NCCMI Faculty and student musicians will perform.
Black Author Exhibit and Creative Contest Presentation
Apex, NC | January 16 | Free
Join community members to meet and hear from Black Authors in an open exhibit at the Apex Senior Center! K-12 Creative Contest Winners will also present their contest submissions for attendees.
Durham, NC | January 17 | $3
Guided by local artist Adam Cooley, you’ll learn essential mark-making techniques like hatching, shading, and using negative space to bring contrast and drama to your designs.
Free Ukulele Lessons at KōMANA Brewing Company
Cary, NC | January 4, 18 | Free
Learn to play the ukulele, no experience needed! They'll teach you the basics to get you playing in no time.
Blowing Rock, NC | January 22-25 | Some events free
Whether you’re taking the daring Polar Bear Plunge, admiring the breathtaking ice sculptures, indulging in local delicacies, or enjoying the range of family entertainment, WinterFest in Blowing Rock promises to be an enchanting experience.
Durham, NC | Every Saturday | Free parking
The Durham Craft Market is proud to provide a marketplace for local handmade arts and crafts that encourages creativity and design innovation and honors the art of craftsmanship. Meet your local artists and find out how they make their craft.
Asheville, NC | All January | Admission included in Arboretum parking fee
These seven to nine feet tall friendly and fanciful sculptures evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue as they study our small, intricate and inventive ways of life in Western North Carolina.
South Carolina
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
Columbia, SC | Ends January 4 | ~$33
The critically acclaimed showcase features 70 costumes from beloved characters such as Cinderella, Maleficent, and more, highlighting the innovative ways iconic characters are brought to life through the artistry and imagination of their costumes.
Always Flourishing and CeramicSea at Hyman Fine Arts Center
Florence, SC | New Exhibit Begins January 6 | Free
New exhibits in the Hyman Fine Arts Center explore the relationship between images, objects, and memory from lens-based artist Rebekah Alviani. Hayley De González's ceramics explore forms, textures, and palettes found in the ocean and along the shoreline. Fish scales, shells, tidal patterns, sandy textures, and muted hues inform the surfaces of these pieces.
South Carolina | January 8-18 | Price Varies
From fine to casual dining, participating restaurants will feature new menu items, offer fan favorites, and multi-course menus during Restaurant Week South Carolina!
Unforgettable: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams
Florence, SC | January 11 | Free
Join Florence County Museum for a free, docent-led tour of Unforgettable: The Civil Rights Photography of Cecil Williams in the museum’s Special Exhibit Gallery.
Snow Queen presented by Grand Kyiv Ballet
Charleston, SC | January 11 | $43-$143 seating options
Join the Grand Kyiv Ballet for the WORLD Premiere of the new Ballet, The Snow Queen.
Figure Drawing at 906 Art Gallery
Greenville, SC | January 13 | $12
Draw from a live nude model for a 2-hour session at 906 Art Gallery. All skill levels are welcome to attend! 18 and up only.
Art After Hours – Tree Ring Prints
Florence, SC | January 15 | $10
Join Curator of Education Uschi Jeffcoat & artist Adrian Smith for this session that takes a closer look at tree rings and how to use them to create art. You will learn how to produce your own tree ring prints and take a print home with you.
Columbia, SC | January 10, 15, 17, 18, 22, 25 | Free with membership or admission
Join the Columbia Museum of Art for vibrant tours of Keith Haring: Radiant Vision, featuring original works from iconic Pop artist Keith Haring, a shooting star of the 1980s New York art scene.