--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The creative process is often wrapped up…" description: "\"The creative process is often wrapped up in bottomless anxiety, and when the world applauds the product of that process, it soothes the anxiety. Briefl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5a/nell-scovell-6875_anxiety_the-creative-process-is-often-wrapped-up_1507990.jpg" --- # The creative process is often wrapped up in bottomless… ![“The creative process is often wrapped up in bottomless anxiety, and when the world applauds the product of that process, it soothes the anxiety. Briefly. Then the anxiety returns and even intensifies.” quote by Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5a/nell-scovell-6875_anxiety_the-creative-process-is-often-wrapped-up_1507990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5a/nell-scovell-6875_anxiety_the-creative-process-is-often-wrapped-up_1507990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5a/nell-scovell-6875_anxiety_the-creative-process-is-often-wrapped-up_1507990.jpg) > “The creative process is often wrapped up in bottomless anxiety, and when the world applauds the product of that process, it soothes the anxiety. Briefly. Then the anxiety returns and even intensifies.” [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creative work often triggers deep anxiety; external praise temporarily eases it, but the pressure resurfaces and can grow stronger. **In simple terms:** Creating causes anxiety; praise only briefly calms it. Key Takeaway Recognize anxiety as part of creation and seek steady support. Themes creativity anxiety validation self‑doubt Mood reflective hopeful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - writing a novel - launching a product - public speaking - design projects Key Concepts psychology artist mindset performance pressure Questions to Reflect On - How do you manage anxiety after success? - What habits sustain calm during creative cycles? A Different Perspective Anxiety may be rooted in perfectionism, not just external feedback. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Anxiety Returns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-returns-5544640/) [Anxiety World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-world-431514/) [Bottomless Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottomless-anxiety-5544641/) [Creative process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-process/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Process Soothes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process-soothes-5544639/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The truth is that there is no actual stress or anxiety in the world; it's your thoughts that create these false beliefs. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-truth-is-that-there-is-no-actual-stress-or-anxiety-in-the-world/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [“But there’s no actual stress or anxiety in the world; it’s your thoughts that create these false beliefs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-w-dyer/but-there-s-no-actual-stress-or-anxiety-in-the-world-it-s-your/) [Wayne W. Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-w-dyer/) > [On the night before we were married, all of the anxiety in the world came down upon me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/on-the-night-before-we-were-married-all-of-the-anxiety-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Sometimes in his arrogance he has more anxiety for the world than for himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/sometimes-in-his-arrogance-he-has-more-anxiety-for-the-world-than-for/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [There is no actual stress or anxiety in the world, your thoughts create these false beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/there-is-no-actual-stress-or-anxiety-in-the-world-your-thoughts/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [There just is exponentially more money in the movie business than in the music business. As a result there are more people involved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-duritz/there-just-is-exponentially-more-money-in-the-movie-business-than-in/) [Adam Duritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-duritz/) > [I think what holds people up in creative processes is the expectation of what it is they're doing. It's also the sense of judgement,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-hegarty/i-think-what-holds-people-up-in-creative-processes-is-the-expectation/) [Antony Hegarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-hegarty/) > [“I’m a big believer in cooking your own meals. It makes it much easier not only to ensure that you eat fresh foods but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ori-hofmekler/i-m-a-big-believer-in-cooking-your-own-meals-it-makes-it-much-easier/) [Ori Hofmekler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ori-hofmekler/) > [The impresario function is about intervening with the company's more administrative management structure. It is about trying to establish a sense of boundaries and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kao/the-impresario-function-is-about-intervening-with-the-company-s-more/) [John Kao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kao/) > [Fear is a killer, when it comes to the creative process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-baldwin/fear-is-a-killer-when-it-comes-to-the-creative-process/) [Adam Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-baldwin/) > [Use the creative process - singing, writing, art, dance, whatever - to get to know yourself better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catie-curtis/use-the-creative-process-singing-writing-art-dance-whatever-to-get-to/) [Catie Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catie-curtis/) > [ “\[A\]lways get to the dialogue as soon as possible. I always feel the thing to go for is speed. Nothing puts the reader off… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/a-lways-get-to-the-dialogue-as-soon-as-possible-i-always-feel-the/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [Any creative process is about being in a territory which isn't secure, isn't necessarily familiar, and isn't convenient in any sort of way. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanne-bier/any-creative-process-is-about-being-in-a-territory-which-isn-t-secure/) [Susanne Bier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanne-bier/) > [“Other worshipful objects were content with worship; men, women, God, all let one kneel prostrate; but this form, were it only the shape of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/other-worshipful-objects-were-content-with-worship-men-women-god-all/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Teasing out the way the world might look through another's eyes is what makes the creative process so fascinating and enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-l-carter/teasing-out-the-way-the-world-might-look-through-another-s-eyes-is/) [Stephen L. Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-l-carter/) ## More by Nell Scovell > [The desire to keep doing what we love supersedes the desire to penalize bad behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/the-desire-to-keep-doing-what-we-love-supersedes-the-desire-to/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [Blondness is a core Trump-family value: Both Donald Jr. and Eric got the memo and married blondes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/blondness-is-a-core-trump-family-value-both-donald-jr-and-eric-got/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [I realize that 'hire qualified women!' is the sort of outraged demand that's often met with a sigh. No one disagrees, and yet gender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/i-realize-that-hire-qualified-women-is-the-sort-of-outraged-demand/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [We have so many great memoirs from women in front of the camera, from Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, and Amy Schumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/we-have-so-many-great-memoirs-from-women-in-front-of-the-camera-from/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [My criticisms of late-night TV blew up some old friendships and sparked some new ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/my-criticisms-of-late-night-tv-blew-up-some-old-friendships-and/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [The Pulitzer Prize was established when Joseph Pulitzer died in 1911, leaving a bequest to create the eponymous award. An immigrant from Hungary, Pulitzer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/the-pulitzer-prize-was-established-when-joseph-pulitzer-died-in-1911/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [If I were to write a sequel to 'Lean In' for men, I would call it 'Make Room.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/if-i-were-to-write-a-sequel-to-lean-in-for-men-i-would-call-it-make/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [I traveled to Israel in a small party assembled by Marty Peretz, the editor-in-chief of 'The New Republic.' Other guests included Senator Al Gore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/i-traveled-to-israel-in-a-small-party-assembled-by-marty-peretz-the/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [For thirty years, I've been hearing that it's getting better for women. And until I see statistical proof over enough years that that's true,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/for-thirty-years-i-ve-been-hearing-that-it-s-getting-better-for-women/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [The vocabulary of my cynical world doesn't allow me to explain the success of 'Lean In.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/the-vocabulary-of-my-cynical-world-doesn-t-allow-me-to-explain-the/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [If necessity is the mother of invention, urgency is the uncle of change. Without it, progress slows and then stops and then reverses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/if-necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention-urgency-is-the-uncle-of/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [In TV, you look to make characters consistent, but in real life, we're not consistent. Sometimes we're brave, and sometimes we're not. Sometimes we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/in-tv-you-look-to-make-characters-consistent-but-in-real-life-we-re/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [Misogyny - and racism - are 'hidden in plain sight,' and the burden of eliminating them should fall on the institutions, not the victims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/misogyny-and-racism-are-hidden-in-plain-sight-and-the-burden-of/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [In Hollywood, you kind of trick yourself into feeling like you have impact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/in-hollywood-you-kind-of-trick-yourself-into-feeling-like-you-have/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) > [Trump Tower is no ordinary property: It is the jewel in Donald Trump's brass crown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-scovell/trump-tower-is-no-ordinary-property-it-is-the-jewel-in-donald-trump-s/) [Nell Scovell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) [Explore all 97 Nell Scovell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nell-scovell/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The creative process is often wrapped up in bottomless anxiety, and when the world applauds the product of that process, it soothes the anxiety. 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