Liz Phair Quotes

If I spent my time worrying about what other people would think of my work, I would be too self-conscious to write.

I have fear, always, on the set. Insecurity to the point where the first week I always think I could be fired. I think that's a fear most actors have.

I was kind of scared of failing at acting.

I was afraid of not living up to what people expected me to be.

That can definitely mess with your music - if you overthink. 'What's radio going to think?' or 'What are these people going to think?'

Probably some of the projects I chose to do after that had more to do with what people thought of me. The industry was very open and probably hoping that I could do anything.

It's a phobia I have. I never assume I'm going to be able to write another album after I finish one.

The more professionally successful you are, the more emotionally insecure you will be.

It's dangerous to buy into praise and criticism for what you do when you're trying to present your music to people. I don't ignore it completely, but I don't dwell on it too much.

Every single time I step into the studio, I say, 'Can I still do this? Do I still have it? Have I ever had it?' I suppose there's a good amount of self-loathing that goes into any form of artisanship.

Every decade of my life I attempted to write a novel. But I had nothing to say. I was far too self-absorbed, and now I realize I was writing for others, so that they'd applaud me, see my genius, tell me how wonderful I am, or be jealous of my success.

I've always felt like an imposter, in the whole, as a musician.

The temptation to quit and start over infects every creative process I've ever been in. Frustration and boredom always fuel this self-doubt.

For a long time I managed to think two things simultaneously, that I am actually a good playwright, and that the next time I write a play I will be revealed as someone who is no good at all.

One of the biggest obstacles I've overcome in my life was thinking I didn't deserve to be successful. Artistically I'm not as much of a heavyweight as someone like Paul Simon or Joni Mitchell, because I'm not a creator of original music, and I worried about that for years.

Part of me feels that I'm letting people down by not being as interesting as my books.

I was always afraid to write music.

I'm not trying to steal the show. I tend to shy away from - I don't want to say the spotlight - how about responsibility? It's just very daunting. These movies are very intimidating. 'Captain America.' This is the stuff I struggle with.

I can't watch myself on screen without dying a little bit inside. And there are lots of moments when I think, 'What am I doing as an actor? I can't act!'

What if I couldn't handle people's opinions of me? I know that shouldn't dictate a person's degree of peace or happiness in life, but the problem is, I chose a business saturated in judgment.

I always felt like acting was something I could just do if I wanted, which was wrong.

As an actor, you're constantly riddled with self-doubt. You are your own worst critic.

As actors, you always have that moment thinking you've been absolutely terrible or a fraud.

That's something I go through every day - you know - Am I good enough to act?

Despite my confidence and self-belief, I've always wrestled with feelings of insecurity. To be honest, I think most people in show business are insecure.