People who don’t do or create shit are always the most critical because they have no frame of reference. They severely underestimate how much energy it takes, how much fear and other psychic burdens need to be overcome, the sheer amount of relentless persistence, faith and self-belief it takes to put something, no matter how feeble and shitty, out in to the world.
It seems so easy just looking. “I could do that”. “I could’ve made that”. Well then do it. Look at the most feeble and easy looking creative work and then replicate it in your own way. And with no irony or hiding or joking- in all sincerity put your name on it - and show it to others. People you know in real life. As a representation of yourself. See how it feels. You’ll have a new appreciation and softness towards creative friends and strangers.
Recently had to talk to someone who had perfection paralysis (or, in the words of Adam Savage, hamstrung by possibilities).
I’ve been doing artistic work for myself and others for nearly two decades now so here’s my advice.
It’ll never be perfect. And even if it *is*, you will come to nitpick and dislike things about it in time. You have to learn to sit with that discomfort, know that everything is flawed, and that artistic growth is an infinite path. So do the thing.
