You see this hashtag floating around, #communityovercompetition. But what does it really mean? How does this simple hashtag make you feel? Does anyone have an explanation?
Day in and day out we scroll and scroll through Instagram like its second nature. Admiring other peoples work and following/unfollowing. But what happens when admiration turns into something a little different like, “stocking ones prey”, or using other peoples success (or not) as fuel to run your own business? To run your own creative?
Let me start out with my own personal journey. Late 2015 my mother’s cancer came out of remission and I became her full-time caretaker. Early 2016 she lost her battle. During my time taking care of her, there was a LOT of downtime so I figured I should start drawing again (I mean I have a damn degree in it and I hadn’t done anything for a few years). Drawing turned to painting and painting turned into lettering. And so forth Ink+Sable was born. Just FYI, no one said that post was going to be happy.
As time went on I kept lettering and trying different styles. Not because I wanted to start a business, but because it filled a hole in my heart. I did it for the love of drawing and self teaching. I did it because it was a challenge, I did it because I was pretty natural at it, I did it because it made me happy.
Somewhere along the line from then to now, some days that happiness disappears and the uglier side of this business comes out, the jealous competitive one. Where you no longer start following people on IG for their inspiration, but to keep tabs on what they’re doing and how you can do it better OR you follow people and you find yourself doubting your skills, your passion and your product.
You start thinking “Why do I even bother? So-and-so is so much better at this exact same thing I can’t compete — my drawing isn’t as good — my watercolors don’t look that great — I don’t have that exposure — Why does she/he have more Likes its not even good!” Isn’t there some saying that says “Competition kills passion”? This is fucking it people. And if you haven’t asked yourself these kind of questions, what kind of drugs are you on and can I have some?
Now, there are so many great great resources out there and for the most part, many successful creatives share their “trade secrets” and help those who are looking for answers. GO YOU if you are one of them! Keep it up! I personally thank each individual who has shared even a sliver of information with me because honestly, it’s been bred into us that we want to be the best, make the most money, be the more unique. I am TOTALLY guilty of that. And still to this day struggle with it.
My husband tells me this all the time, “Why are you so upset? You are you and they are them. People follow, like, comment, love you for YOU”. But what if I don’t know who I am??! And there it is.
So one must ask..oneself..? Who are you? What is your “brand”? For me, sometimes that is the reason why I feel the ugly jealous monster boil inside me. Finding your voice in a crowd of people can be so overwhelming its easier to call it quits. Don’t. Why? Because of the reason why you started. Its a double edge blade to see other succeed in a similar field as yourself, but it should also bring us hope too. There isn’t a single person in this world who is EXACTLY like you, and that should be celebrated. That should be your north star.
Being an artist of any kind is not glamorous, us creatives put our souls into our work, and grind through tears trying to find ourselves without comparison of others. With social media being a large driver in “success” such a simple thing can tear you down faster than it can bring you up.
If you made it this far in this post, you’re probably thinking “Get to the damn point”. Guess what? There isn’t one. But if there were to be some I guess this is what they would be.
- Don’t forget why you started — there is a passion behind it and keep that close.
- Don’t take social media too seriously — its a tool to help and to share and be connected, not a noose around your neck.
- Be you — seriously, you aren’t cloned and there isn’t a clone of you (yet…?).
- Don’t give up — I tell myself this all the time, keep looking, keep practicing, keep creating. There will be an “aha” moment and if there isn’t, its okay, maybe thats the “aha” in itself.
*Steps off soap box*
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