I’ve spent some time soul-searching, trying to pin down what exactly led me down a path of burnout and stress. Today, I’m excited to share some revelations with you about mindset shifts that have begun to transform not just my art, but my life.
Watch my latest video on the subject:
The Trap of the Comparison Game
Here’s the truth: the art career is more than a job—it’s a lifestyle. And in this lifestyle, it’s dangerously easy to fall into the comparison trap. You see someone new on the scene, exploding with success, and it’s natural to wonder, “What am I doing wrong?” I’ve been there, scrolling through social media, inadvertently playing this comparison game, measuring my worth against others’ highlights.
But here’s the thing—comparison steals your joy and your unique creative spark. It took me a while, but I realized that comparing was leading nowhere but to more self-doubt.
Turning Competition into Connection
Then came the competitive spirit, not the healthy kind, but a secretive, isolating one. It was me against them, even if ‘them’ were authors I admired or artists I aspired to connect with. But competition, in this sense, only served to separate me further from the community I cherished.
So, I asked myself, “What’s the opposite of competing?” The answer was clear: connecting. As artists, we’re in this together, crafting unique pieces that speak our truths. Realizing this, I began to shift from a mindset of isolation to one of collaboration and support.
Criticism to Commendation
Criticism followed competition. At first, it was directed at others, then at myself. This was perhaps the hardest to overcome. It’s easy to criticize when you feel threatened or insecure. Yet, I knew deep down that this wasn’t who I wanted to be.
Replacing criticism with commendation changed everything. Celebrating others’ successes, understanding the hard work they put in, and genuinely feeling happy for them helped me realize that their wins do not diminish my own. This shift not only improved my relationships but also my self-esteem.
From Complaining to Cherishing
Lastly, the complaining. Oh, the endless cycle of focusing on what’s wrong, what’s lacking, what should have been. It was exhausting. Instead, I’ve started to cherish. Cherishing the good in my life, the successes, big or small, and the simple fact that I get to create every day has brought me so much more peace and connectivity.
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How To Find Happiness Poster Signed By Rafi And Klee 9X13
We spend so much time chasing things in life that we forget how simple it is to connect. These are my reminders. You can download this for free on our website or order a signed poster, print, and goodies from us in the mail.