It doesn't
matter what you decide to do with your life, there will always be
people who doubt what you're doing. You've probably already come
across people like that. They'll tell you that what you're doing
isn't worthy, is unnecessary, or that no one will even look at it.
This is
something that happens a lot in the arts world. Whether you're a
photographer, writer, graphic designer, musician, actor, film-maker,
artist, there will be someone, somewhere who has uttered those
immortal words, “What you're doing is complete crap. Why don't you
get a proper job?”. Art, to many people, isn't a “proper job”.
Yet those who find the time to put you down are sometimes the ones
that will see highly paid sports, film, or music stars as being
immortal. Everyone else who is working in that industry is, to many
people, not worthy of the same kind of adoration.
So how do
you deal with it?
Ignore It
That can be a hard one, especially if the words are coming from a
friend or family member. Words have power and the negative ones are
the ones that live with us the longest. They're the hardest to forget
and the most painful ones to remember. Don't give in to what they're
saying. Often the person will want you to react and start an
argument. Just smile and walk away.
Don't
React
The best thing you can do is not to react. People are allowed an
opinion but then so are you. You're doing what you're doing for a
reason. You may not know that reason yet but there's a feeling inside
of you that you have to keep going, that there's some end goal that
you'll eventually reach. You don't know what that end goal is (a lot
of us don't even if we have an idea of where we'd like to end up).
Tell them that they're allowed their opinion and, again, smile and
walk away.
Don't Go
Looking For It
You might already know which places or people are going to tell you
that your life's work is useless and the best thing you can do is not
go there. Whether this is a bar, club, website or online group, the
best thing might be for you to step out of it. If you feel the need
to go back, give it a few weeks or months before you do. If you have
work out in the world, don't go looking for reviews. I made that
mistake when I was first publishing books and I now only go to Amazon
or Goodreads to buy or rate books. I don't go looking for the reviews
or ratings that others have left on my own.
Surround
Yourself With Good People
Have you found some really awesome people who are supportive of what
you do? Awesome! Hang on to them. They're precious people and, while
they may not like everything you do, you know that you can trust them
to be truthful. Rather than just dismissing what you're doing,
they'll be able to point what needs fixing and pick you up when the
going gets tough. Look after them like you would your own family
because these people are hard to come by but will stay with you
forever.
What you are doing has a deep meaning to you. Follow what your heart
is telling you and keep putting your beautiful work out there.
