as a creator, your friends might not support you

This may be especially relevant if:

• you're a creator or aspiring creator

• you've felt let down by the people around you

Est. read time: 1 minute 12 seconds

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When I first started posting content, I had the expectation that my friends would rush to support me. They’d flood the comments, repost everything I made, and rave about my art.

Instead: it was quiet and slow. Occasional engagement, but much less that I expected.

It stung initially. And I let that feeling spiral into a harrowing narrative: do they even care about me? are they my real friends?? why aren’t they supporting me???

But after a year of posting, I've come to understand - your friends aren't your fans. It's unfair to expect them to be.

They have their own lives, their own chaos, their own feeds full of content competing for their eyes. Keeping up with every video I posted was not their responsibility. And when I stopped selfishly EXPECTING their commitment to me, I started creating freely. The resentment I had built up started to melt into wonder and gratitude for those who did choose to give their attention to me.

The same goes for family. My parents were skeptical of the EVERYTHING - art, content, startups, all of it! For a while I forced myself to carry that burdening resentment too. But I've realized that they're not doubting me out of spite; they love me, and their love just looks like caution. They needed proof of concept, and while they may not be the biggest cheerleaders, I know they want what is best for me.

It’s not the actions of others that made me doubt so much, but THE EXPECTATION of others’ actions. And when I let go and stopped mentally tallying who showed up and who didn't, I got to just create for the sake of creating. Freely, and for MYSELF!

The people who will actually change your trajectory are likely strangers right now anyway. They may not know your name yet, but they'll eventually find your work because it resonates and follow you for your creativity, rather than obligation.

Your only real duty is to believe in yourself enough to keep going, to stay consistent even when it's quiet, even when it's scary, even when the comments section is empty.

I’m rooting for you!!

until next week!
Sulan :)
@sulansart

PS. If you're ready to start posting (or post more!), I'm building Vyra - an AI video editing tool to get you from idea to final video, faster. Would love for you to try it :D