Ignore the Critics

We all love to think we’re immune to criticism, that we don’t care what anyone else thinks. But every single one of us has had a moment where a rotten comment or a less-than-glowing review lodged itself deep into our brains like a zombie maggot. And worst of all? Sometimes that criticism comes from our own heads. That inner voice? It’s relentless. It critiques your technique, questions your decisions, and tells you that maybe you should’ve stuck to latte art.

If only we could ignore that critical chatter, whether it’s coming from the outside or inside, we could be free to create. That voice, whether from a random online stranger or from deep within your psyche, doesn’t know what it’s talking about. And you know why? Because your art is yours. It doesn’t have to fit into anyone else’s box. It doesn’t have to appeal to the masses. It doesn’t have to be “nice” or “pretty” or fit into some neat, Instagrammable little square. It can be messy, weird, unsettling, and entirely yours.

The moment you start creating to please everyone, you’re on a slippery slope toward artistic mediocrity. The raw edges, the peculiar quirks, the “I’m not sure where this is going but I’m going with it anyway” moments—those are what make your art sing. The critics who don’t get it? Let them scratch their heads. Those who do get it will find something real, something that sticks with them, something that can’t be replicated.

And that inner critic? The one who thinks you could’ve done better, or worse, says, “Why even bother?” Ignore it, put on your headphones and drown it out. Sure it’s still there, but it’s definitely not adding anything to your creative flow.

So, make peace with the fact that not everyone’s going to fall in love with your work. That’s the beauty of it. The ones who do? They’ll be your people, and they’ll love what you do with a passion. The rest? They can stick to their diet of 2 minute noodles. You’re making art that’s unforgettable—and that’s the only critic worth listening to.