Positively charged
You deserve a compliment! You do! I mean, most likely we don't know each other personally and I might not have a clue what kind of work you make or if you are even an artist. What I do know is that you are pretty awesome.
Why do I say that? Is it just another one of those terms people fling around? Maybe a little, but mostly no. It's not just a random thing and here's why:
Check out this ridiculously insightful comic by Leleoz. When I saw this it just gave me a moment to pause. This hits the nail on the head and not just for artists.
For those who are not too familiar with the art world it can only be described as terrifying. Art is something personal and putting it on a platform which is mostly disconnected from "the real world" it can lead to ridiculous pressure build up which can lead to all sorts of nasty feelings. And just to try and make it more relatable to you fine non-artist folk; Imagine putting art online as having to treat your in-laws to a 5 course meal but right before they arrive your food spontaneously self destructs leaving you only with the frozen noodles. Also, you are wearing pants but they are clown pants. From actual clowns. (sorry clown aficionados out there but lets face it, clown pants are just creepy )
“Imagine putting art online as having to treat your in-laws to a 5 course meal but right before they arrive your food spontaneously self destructs leaving you only with the frozen noodles.”
So I hope that in 2016 people all understand the benefits of positive reinforcement (even though sometimes it isn't helpful when engaging in creative problem solving). We came from a period where being nasty to each other was common practice. I've certainly been on the raw end of that stick and it makes you feel like shit. Here is a list of stuff that is difficult to do when feeling bad:
- Make someone else feel happy
- Be consistently creative
- Enjoy the good things around you
- Handle the pressure of a stressful job
And here is a list of stuff that you can do when you feel good:
- Make someone else feel happy
- Be consistently creative
- Enjoy the good things around you
- Handle the pressure of a stressful job
Oh come on! Don't be so surprised, you knew this stuff already. I really hope I'm not telling anyone something new here but today that's not the point. There are a few options available when you feel this sort of negativity. One of them is to abandon social media all together (and that can work wonders!) but for some of us it's difficult, it's our lifeline to like minded people and a primary way to share. Another is to cut down on time, disable comments, or simply ignoring the bad ones. All of it can create habits which in turn make you less likely to compliment, say something nice, or start a conversation about a piece. It becomes superficial. This is not what you want to have done to your own work and neither does anyone else, so let's break the cycle.
This is a call to be more encouraging to people. And not just with a comment or like on their social media page but to talk to people. You know, engaging in conversation.
LOOK OVER THERE! WHERE?
>>LIKE RIGHT HERE<<
That's right - that is a link to Discord, a chat program reminiscent of mIRC (geez I feel old now) where we can all hang out, share work and in general have a good time. If you want to just chat to people and put the social back into social media* this is a space where you can do so.
Oh, but as of the time I am writing this I will be at IFCC Croatia so I hope it all goes right and the chat will run itself without horrible things happening.
Have a great day every and stay awesome
- Titus
* YES I WENT THERE.