Resilience Mindset—what to do when things don’t sell

Picture this, you create a beautiful work of art, a collection you’ve never been more proud of. You get it photographed, listed, and market the heck out of if it. The release date happens and….crickets.

What are you left to do? Wallow and throw in the towel? Claim you’re not an artist and never should have thought it would sell in the first place?

NO! Absolutely not. You get yourself a cozy chai latte and get to business figuring out what else you can do. Where can you make adjustments to bring this beautiful collection to the people who WANT to see it. You’re going to use a resilience mindset and keep chugging along on this wonderful expansive journey you are on.

What’s a resilience mindset, you ask?

Don’t worry, I got you.

Resilience Mindset for Artists: What It Is and How to Cultivate It

A resilience mindset is the ability to adapt, persevere, and maintain creative confidence in the face of setbacks, such as when your work doesn’t sell. It’s about embracing challenges as part of the journey, learning from them, and continuing to create with purpose and joy.

Key Components of a Resilience Mindset

1. Acceptance Without Self-Blame

• Understand that external factors, not the quality of your work, often influence sales.

• Accept that every artist faces ebbs and flows—it’s a normal part of the creative journey.

2. Learning from Setbacks

• View unsold work as feedback, not failure.

• Ask yourself: What can I learn from this experience? Do I need to refine my pricing, marketing, or audience targeting?

3. Embracing Adaptability

• Stay open to trying new approaches, whether that’s exploring different sales channels, adjusting your marketing strategy, or experimenting with new styles or formats.

4. Detaching Worth from Sales

• Your value as an artist isn’t tied to the number of pieces you sell. Your creativity, vision, and dedication define your worth.

5. Finding Purpose Beyond Sales

• Remember why you create: to express yourself, bring beauty to the world, or share your unique perspective. Sales are important, but they’re not the sole measure of your success

A close up of a tall grass with a sky in the background

Steps to Build Resilience When Things Don’t Sell

1. Reframe the Situation

• Instead of thinking, “My art isn’t good enough,” shift to, “This is an opportunity to learn more about my audience or improve my strategy.”

2. Focus on the Bigger Picture

• Celebrate the progress you’ve made, such as creating new pieces, growing your skills, or receiving positive feedback.

• Sales often take time, especially when building a brand or audience.

3. Seek Support

• Connect with other artists to share experiences and advice.

• Join communities, workshops, or mentoring groups to find encouragement and fresh perspectives.

4. Experiment and Innovate

• Try presenting your work differently, such as bundling pieces, creating limited editions, or hosting flash sales.

• Explore new platforms or audiences to expand your reach.

5. Develop Creative Rituals

• Use creative rituals to stay inspired and grounded. For example, journal about your creative wins, meditate on your artistic goals, or spend time making art purely for yourself.

Resilience Affirmations

• “I am proud of my creative journey, regardless of sales.”

• “Each setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.”

• “My art has value, even if it doesn’t sell right away.”

• “I am more than my sales—I am an artist with vision and purpose.”

Final thoughts:

Resilience isn’t about ignoring challenges; it’s about navigating them with strength and adaptability. When things don’t sell, remember: you’re still growing, still creating, and still making an impact. Every artist faces setbacks, but those who persevere find opportunities to thrive.

It is my greatest hope that this lands with you in a way that keeps you chugging along on this beautiful journey of creative entrepreneurship. The world can be a heavy place but your work brings so much beauty to it. Keep sharing your soul with us, continue to connect and expand your community, we need you. And if you know someone else who could benefit from this message PLEASE send it along to them.

Download the worksheet here

See you next week!