Chasing Shadows: The Creative Quagmire of Comparison

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly scrolling through social media, eyes glazed over, as you witness an endless parade of artwork and creations that seem to scream, "I'm better than anything you've ever made"? If your hand is creeping up, welcome to the club. I'm right there with you, armed with a cup of coffee that's gone cold from neglect.

It starts innocently enough. You're sipping your favorite drink, feeling good about that piece you just finished, and then bam! You stumble upon something so breathtaking that your own work suddenly seems like a kindergartner's finger painting in comparison. That's the moment when the monster of comparison sinks its claws into your self-esteem.

But here's the kicker: we're all chasing a feeling. Not just any feeling, but the exhilarating, heart-pounding sensation we get when we see a piece of art that resonates with us. It's like a creative high. And, oh boy, do we want our own creations to give us that same buzz.

Remember the last time you saw a piece of art and felt something stir inside you? Maybe it was awe, or inspiration, or a strange longing to create something just as magnificent. That's the feeling we're after. But in our pursuit, we often stumble into the trap of comparison.

Here's the thing – no two creative journeys are the same. It's like fingerprints or the way people like their coffee; unique to each person. When we compare our art to others', we're essentially comparing apples to, I don't know, dragons?

I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt. I spent more time than I'd like to admit, feeling like a hamster on a wheel, tirelessly chasing the idea of creating something that would evoke the same reaction in others that I felt looking at their work. Spoiler alert: it's an exhausting and unfulfilling pursuit.

The truth is, our own creations are often unable to give us that same buzz, simply because they came from us. We've seen the messy process, the do-overs, the "happy accidents" that Bob Ross so cheerfully talked about. We've been behind the curtain, and let's be honest, the magic always looks a bit different from back there.

So, how do we escape this cycle of creative self-torment? First, we need to acknowledge that this feeling of inadequacy is as common as finding a Starbucks in a city. You're not alone. Second, we need to remember why we started creating in the first place. Was it to get a thousand likes on Instagram? Or was it because there's a story within us, a unique perspective and voice that needs to be expressed?

Our art is our voice, and it's inherently different from the next person's. It's shaped by our experiences, our dreams, our heartaches, and our joys. It's flavored by our unique blend of spices. And that's where its beauty lies.

Let's focus on finding joy in the act of creating, in the growth and learning that comes with each stroke, each line, each word we write. Let's celebrate our small victories and embrace our unique journey.

Because, at the end of the day, the art we create is a reflection of us, and there's no comparison to that.