I’m a recovering Resist-and-Persist Writer. It’s an affliction that strikes many creatives – this need to simultaneously satisfy and squelch our Urge to Art. Because making art is scary. It’s a tangible manifestation of our insides – our thoughts, our feelings, our deepest and darkest places. It’s making ourselves seen, making ourselves known, making ourselves open to critique and condemnation as much as to accolade and acclaim.

For years, I’d feel a burning urge to write and resistance would flare up, though in a fairly functional-looking way: I’d sign up for a writing class. I’d join a writer’s group. I’d attend a writer’s conference. All in the name of deadlines, accountability, networking, and feedback. But instead of giving life to the art inside me, I’d find myself hammering out writing exercises, reviewing other people’s work, and listening to lectures – distracting from the oh-so-vital Urge to Art.

Now when I feel an idea burning a hole in my brain, I settle the flames by giving into it. The art lives inside me, so I go there to bring it forth. I open the laptop and write. You may need to grab your instrument and play. Get behind the lens and shoot. Grab your paints and put brush to canvas. Then, once the art is made, you can seek others to help you shape it, shine it, share it with the world.

But first, the world needs you to indulge your Urge to Art.

Nicole Christie is a writer and storyteller who splits her time between Seattle and Montreal. She is also the principal and creative director of NICO, Inc. – a one-woman firm specializing in fresh, honest, engaging employee and marketing communications for Fortune 500 corporations, leading-edge creative firms, and rapidly growing new technology companies. She adores food, wine, long walks, comedy, inspiring podcasts, and traveling the world with her trumpet-player love. nicolechristie.com.