I Built a Successful Art Career, but Now I Feel Lost

I spent years building a thriving art business—selling, teaching, and even licensing my work with major retailers. I was on the verge of a million-dollar year, but then I lost my grandma, and something in me froze. I felt afraid of more success, like I couldn’t handle it.

Now, years later, I feel like I need to file for bankruptcy. I’m scared to manage money, scared to put myself out there again. I used to feel connected to my audience, but now I don’t know how to market myself or even where to start.

At the same time, I’ve found faith, and I want to share that hope with my mailing list. But doubt creeps in—what if no one cares? What if my art business will never be as good as it was before my grandma passed.

Part of me wonders if I should pivot—get a real estate license, go back to school, or do something deeper. But I still love art. I just don’t know if I should keep pushing forward or move on.

Has anyone else been here? How do you rebuild when fear keeps holding you back?