Abnormally, Inhumanely Sensitive: The Artist's Struggle.

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanely sensitive. To them … a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death." -Pearl S. Buck
This quote from Pearl S Buck, the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, nails down a reason that so many artists find it hard to succeed in business.  One of the artist's greatest superpowers can also be their greatest weakness:

The power to generate emotion.  To zero in on a mundane detail and turn it into a divine comedy, an epic drama, or a profound tragedy.  The power to give weight and meaning to every moment.  Great fortunes can be built on this ability, but like any power, it must be directed.  Unbridled emotion has torn apart good relationships, even started wars. 

It's important to understand the emotional power your art has if you're going to make a living from it.  It's also important to have tools to govern your own emotions, so you can maintain self control and good mental and emotional health.

Please share in the comments, or Facebook (or via email or messenger, if you prefer to keep it private) about your struggle to keep your emotions in check, and/or any tools, tricks and techniques you employ to keep a handle on your feelings. 

As we continue to grow here at Starving Artists Anonymous, we want to help each other be better artists, and ultimately, better human beings. 

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