Embracing Fear as a Creative Catalyst
Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with my sister, Jo Roets, for my podcast The Art of Creative Business. What followed was a conversation that was as heartfelt as it was inspiring. Jo is a full-time artist based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Jo’s story—of becoming a full-time artist, managing the balance between creative flow and admin, and staying true to herself—offers so many insights for anyone building a creative career.
If you haven’t yet listened to the episode, click here to listen on your favourite podcast platform, or watch the video on YouTube.
One of the most powerful moments in our conversation was Jo’s perspective on creating work that is authentic to who she is.
“I don’t want to be in a box. I make what I want, and it keeps me excited.”
Early in her journey, Jo admitted to creating work with a quiet voice in the back of her mind: Will people like this? Will they buy it? It’s something so many of us struggle with—that sneaky habit of creating for approval rather than for ourselves.
Over time, Jo realised that comparison dulls the very spark that makes your work unique. “I only compare myself to myself,” she shared. How did I grow from last year? What can I do differently now?
It’s such a powerful reminder that progress is personal. The minute we focus on someone else’s journey or work, we risk losing connection to our own creative voice.
We also talked about fear—a familiar companion for many creatives. Jo described how, in the beginning, fear often showed up as imposter syndrome or hesitation to start something new. But rather than avoiding it, she began to view fear as a catalyst:
“Sometimes you procrastinate with admin or busy work because you’re scared to start that new piece. But if you stop and face the fear, the work starts flowing again.”
This really struck a chord for me. Fear isn’t always a stop sign. It’s often a signal that something important is on the other side—growth, discovery, or a deeper connection to the work.
On the more practical side, Jo shared her approach to something many creatives struggle with: admin tasks. Endless emails, inventory lists, packaging, and planning can feel like constant interruptions to creative time. Her solution? Systems.
By dedicating her mornings to admin tasks, Jo clears mental space for uninterrupted studio time later in the day.
“When I sit down to create, there’s nothing tugging at the back of my mind. It’s just me and the work.”
Hearing Jo describe this intentional rhythm felt like such a valuable insight. Creativity thrives in structure, even when that structure feels small—an hour in the morning to clear emails or 20 minutes to plan your day.
If you’re building your creative career, Jo’s story is a reminder to trust your gut, take bold steps, and enjoy the work you do. Fear, admin, and uncertainty will show up—but they don’t have to stop you.
To hear Jo’s full story and even more insights, click here to listen to the episode or watch on YouTube.