You might be trying to master too many skills at the same time, which is what is making you feel like you're making progress in none. The reality is, you ARE making progress. I once heard someone say that when you're learning a new skill and it appears that you've plateaued or regressed, that's just your brain burning the new neural pathways that you've built. If I can suggest taking a new tactic for a little while - maybe work on something small that is really interesting to you (that won't necessarily make you money). Recently, I got some air-dry clay and sculpted a character that was related to my paintings, but also, so far removed from my other artwork, and it was SO MUCH FUN! That joy and excitement in the NEW drove me towards the work I'm making now, and I have at least 6 new painting ideas for my previous collection that was starting to feel stagnant. The long and short of it is - make stuff! Make a LOT of stuff! Once you have a HOARD of stuff, that's when you start curating your collection for others :)

Take 10 minutes to really think about why you make art (or an hour... or a week, if you must). Is it for people to say "WOW, you made that" or is it because a voice or a fizz inside of you lights on FIRE when you make work? When you can really pin point that thing - that true motivator - then it won't matter what people say or don't say, because you will know deep in you roots that you were MADE to make art! If your journey needs a little more joy in it, then take a break from trying to achieve certain outcomes and just make a mess for a while. Play with colour combinations you've never tried before, or draw with your eyes closed. When you love making, again, you'll get absorbed by the technical side, and your work will improve on its own. Good luck - you've got this!

Oh man I can relate to all of that. I only just got back into art. I began to hate it. I quit for about 4 years. when I moved I didn’t tell people I was an artist and when people did find out, I said I was retired. Then I started modeling for a well known art college and everything’s changed. I am so inspired and reinvigorated, I am freaking out, I love it so much. I thought I was a pretty seasoned artist but now feel like I’m just beginning. Getting to hear the lectures, critiques, being in an artist environment and community has reawakened me. They appreciate the models, I never understood it before. I feel like I’m contributing to the next generation of talent. None of this is probably helpful to you, but I just really understand what you are going through. Seeing art through being a model has changed my perspective. That’s how I moved through it. Not sure what would work for others like yourself. Glad you asked though, maybe some fresh ideas will come out of it.

I love this question as it's formed part of my internal dialog many times in my life. The question you need to 1st answer for yourself is what drew you to art in the first place? Why DID you love it? I, personally, don't find it meditative... I find it to be a struggle (that some days I'm up for, and others, I'm not). I also find that very few people like my work because it's weird and a little dark, at times, but, I NEED TO MAKE IT! When I'm not making and I allow the doubt to win for too long, I feel completely miserable. Like I've stolen something from myself. When you persue being your best self, you ARE making a massive impact in the world. What others see and gain from your work is bonus-level stuff ❤️ But, here are some tools I've used to quiet that little voice: 1 - write all your anger and frustration down before you start working. You can trash it, if you like. You can even write "I hate writing because it's pointless!"... it won't be 😊 2 - listen to art podcast while you paint/warm up/drive. It helps hearing about Pros who have the same struggles 3 - play in your studio. Leave your serious artwork for a while and grab crayons and finger paint and play doh and make mountains of silly, fun, crap... just for the joy of it! 4 - read about artists (like Joan Miro) who made artwork when their world was falling apart. Good luck! It's a long journey back, but totally worth it!