How to Deal with Creative Jealousy

Oct 17, 2019

A newsletter about writing, art and living more creatively

I got a request for a newsletter topic: how do you deal with creative jealousy?

You know: when you see exciting news from someone you follow on Instagram; when you enter a contest and don't win but you know the winner; when you submit to a magazine and don't get your pitch accepted but it seems like everyone else is getting published in it. No matter your craft, the feeling can often come up. For me, it happens when I'm especially overwhelmed, tired or insecure. I know jealousy is not healthy and that some people say you shouldn't feel it at all. But I have a hard time with it — and other people I deeply admire do, too.

So I figured I'd ask what people do when they start to feel that familiar sensation of creative jealousy creeping on. Here are some of the answers I got:

Practice a ton at my craft, set realistic goals, try to crush those goals
I reflect on how far I've come. It prevents me from working on my own craft, my own journey.
I make some new goals and figure out how to make it happen, or at least get closer anyway
I start doing the things and go on hermit hyperfocus mode til I have a new success!

What are some ways you fight creative jealousy?

xoxo,

Your favorite small but feisty writer
Eva

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