Developing a resilient creative mindset to overcome blocks in Northern Ontario’s arts scene.
How long are you going to stare at that blank screen before you admit you’re actually just terrified?
You’re stuck because you’ve turned “making art” into a high-stakes performance review instead of a process. In Northwestern Ontario, we often feel this extra pressure to represent the whole region or prove that small-town creators can hang with the big city crowd. That weight is heavy. It creates a creative mindset where every stroke or sentence has to be a masterpiece, or it’s a failure. But honestly? Your brain is just trying to protect you from the vulnerability of being seen. It’s not a “block”; it’s a defense mechanism that has overstayed its welcome.
I remember talking to a muralist in Kenora who was paralyzed for weeks because they felt their work didn’t “capture the North” perfectly enough. They were so caught up in the identity of being an “Artist” that they forgot how to just be a person moving a brush. We tend to over-identify with our output. When the work doesn’t flow, we think we’re broken. Using some Acceptance and Commitment Therapy vibes here, try to see those negative thoughts as just data points, not directives. You aren’t your creative block. You’re the person observing the block, and that person still has hands that can move.
The fix isn’t waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration that probably won’t hit until you’re halfway through a shift at the local cafe anyway. You need to lower the bar so far it’s practically on the floor. Tell yourself you’re going to write the absolute worst, most cringeworthy paragraph in the history of the Boreal forest. Give yourself permission to be mid. When you stop trying to be a genius, your nervous system finally relaxes enough to let the actual ideas through. It’s about building a sustainable creative mindset that prioritizes showing up over being perfect.
For my folks in small collectives or running tiny organizations in places like Dryden or Sioux Lookout, the isolation can feel like an echo chamber for your inner critic. Reach out. Send a “hey, I’m struggling” text to your group chat. Resilience in the arts isn’t about solo grinding until you burn out; it’s about acknowledging that the struggle is a shared part of the northern experience. Kindness toward yourself is a radical act when you’re used to harsh winters and even harsher self-judgment.
Try a tiny “exposure” exercise today. Set a timer for three minutes. Write or sketch something you know for a fact you will delete or throw away immediately after. No stakes. No audience. No “brand.” This tiny act of defiance breaks the cycle of avoidance. You’re teaching your brain that the world doesn’t end if you produce something messy. Growing as an artist isn’t about having a constant stream of gold; it’s about developing the grit to sift through the dirt without losing your mind.
Northwestern Ontario Arts, Culture and Recreation
Rooted in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario we’re exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communitiess together. From creative workshops and local exhibitions to youth activities and cultural events, we support rural artists, strengthen community connection, and celebrate the creative spirit of Northwestern Ontario.
Through community-based arts initiatives, recreation programming, and cultural gatherings, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture fosters creative expression, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in the northern arts sector. Our work connects residents, empowers youth, and builds pride in local talent across rural Northwestern Ontario.
Learn more about our programs, events, and opportunities with Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.
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