Detoxing From The Opinions Of Others
When you sit down to create or when you are in the process of making art, how much does the outside world play a part in influencing what you create and whether you continue it or share it?
Outside forces can be the opinions of others, whether they are voices from the past, old teachers or parental figures who disagreed with you creating art or said derogatory comments, or it could be more contemporary people in your world whose opinions you may value.
It can also contain the comments and likes of impersonal algorithms. If you are allowing the opinions of others in whatever format they appear to affect what you create or how you feel about your creations than you are leaving yourself vulnerable to others dictating your creative voice.
If others praise your work and you use that as a motivating force, than you are forever in need of the positive input from the outside world for you to continue creating. If you are swayed and deterred by negative feedback and use that as a reason to not create or share the art you have made you are now allowing another’s opinion to alter your artistic direction and whether you continue to create or stop altogether. Neither option is a great path to take and you are leaving out the most important person in this process; the creator which is you.
You are the artist and you are the one making the art. Your opinion matters the most and is the most valuable because it is from there that your creations are born. So firstly sit with yourself and know why you create, what value your creations hold for you and advocate for your art. Do all of this before you share your art in the world because as soon as it is set free, anyone is able to share their thoughts and you have to be rooted in your own beliefs and values of your creations to withstand whatever may come your way.
I am not saying we are not open to being offended or pleased by the opinions of others, but I am saying that we value our own opinions and know our own values with our creations above all else. That we are grounded enough to be able to hear what another person may think of our work and take from it only that which we choose and not take it to be the truth that we now have to navigate around.
Know yourself, know your art and know that it is both a vulnerable act and a privilege for others to see what you create.l