Comparing yourself to other artist on social media…

Like most artist, it all started on Instagram…

I was scrolling through my feed, looking at friends and strangers’ accomplishment’s that they have achieved and shared joyfully online. Rather it was their fourth exhibition of the year or executing a super dope photoshoot idea that gained loads of attention. Although I was of course happy, I couldn’t help but have that feeling of self-doubt of my own work, even feeling envious due to my own insecurities.

A quick sidenote, I use to feel really bad about having these super normal “negative” emotions like envy and jealousy. However, there is a difference between feeling negative and wishing negative. It doesn’t mean that I wish the worse for others, but instead I wished that I was utilizing my full potential like they are, because I know that I can. That was the difference between me and them though, their mindset, and it’s the reason I kept failing as an artist.

I was weak minded!

It’s so hard to change as well as maintain a growth mindset, especially given each of our difficult positions that we face in our lives that we think limits us.

However, once I changed my environment, I found more success in feeling more confident in my work and not comparing myself to others. Ultimately, changing my mindset. We’re human so it’s times when I do have setbacks, but this is the main thing that have always helped me out of a rut when this would happen:

Take a break off of social media.

It’s not practical for a lot of people to do this cold turkey, but even limiting yourself to it for an hour a day will make a huge difference. I realized that this was the root of what made me not like my work and where I felt the most competitive. Me personally, for the most part I’m on each social platform once a day for three main reasons. I’m here to post, check dms, and scroll for any art grant/opportunities, which goes into another point I wanted to make.

When you do take your break/limit your usage online, take time to self-reflect your experience on social media and if you do decide to get back on it, what is your intention for doing so. Like I said earlier, social media makes me feel like I suck at my craft because I see others doing what I want to do who are better or more recognized than I am.

You're reasoning maybe different than mines but being honest with yourself can help with setting up future intentions on how you will use social media, and start the journey of becoming more understanding toward those you are comparing yourself to.

Now when I compare myself to others, I try to use that as inspiration and affirmation that if they can do it, then I can too! I also came to an understanding that I don’t know how hard they must have had to work or/and who they knew to get in those rooms. All we see are the results on social media, not the beginning.

So knowing that, say a congratulations, reshare their work, maybe even inquire about setting up time to get advice. When you give love it feels so much better, and even more better if/when you receive it back.

Surrounding yourself with people who are better than you, increases your network, as well as your net worth. There may be times when these people can help you to get into those rooms you tryna get in to. However, don’t get too tied on who they are on social media, but them as a person.

At the end of the day, you guys are chasing the same dream or something similar.

It takes time, but I hope I was able to be of some help to alleviate these feeling that come up, especially artist who are working towards making this a full-time career.

Let’s focus on building each other up and at times when we are down bad and can’t be that support that’s okay too, maybe it’s just time to take break and focus on yourself, before you can focus on others.