Is Social Media leaving You Overwhelmed and Depressed?

I recently came across a comment/ question on an online pottery forum that really resonated with me. I've experienced all these feelings, and I still do from time to time. I'm sure we're not the only ones dealing with these emotions; many others are facing similar questions and doubts.

 

 

I want to touch on a few themes here: Social media leaving us overwhelmed, not knowing where to start and how we perceive our work and our value as an artist.

 

 

Let me start by saying that I've been through the turmoil of overthinking everything, feeling demotivated, overwhelmed, and fearing failure. These feelings kept me in my shell for a long time. I would get scared and exhausted at the mere thought of posting an image on social media. I'd look at other people's accounts and wonder how they managed to achieve those numbers, almost believing it was impossible for me. I'd stress over how long it would take to figure out the social media puzzle. These thoughts and fears kept me stuck in the same place, day after day. Then one day, I decided I didn't want to feel that way anymore and realized that no one else was going to change it for me. It was up to me to change what I didn't like.

 

The easiest way to stop feeling all those fearful emotions was to take one small step. Did it change everything overnight? No, but each time I took a small step toward my dream, I felt slightly less scared and overwhelmed. It was like a tight knot loosening little by little. I just kept taking those small steps until it became second nature, and eventually, the knot loosened enough for me to breathe again.

 

I went from spending hours writing a 3-5 sentence caption and rereading it 20 times, to now being able to sit down and write my caption just 15 minutes before my scheduled posting time. This isn't about the quality of captions (they remain as hopeless as ever), it's about building the muscle memory so that I'm not overthinking every word, and my heart doesn't pound as loudly when I hit the share/post button.

 

Here's a practical tip for you- just start! As I mentioned earlier, I too was in the same boat- uncertain and scared. But I challenged myself to post consistently for 30 days to see what would happen, and it changed my life! It was simply about stepping out of my own way and sharing something I had made, which btw a million other people had already made before me and done a much better job at it. But it wasn't about them, it was about me dealing with my own doubts and fears. I'm happy to say that as I continued, I was able to overcome many of those fears.

 

I'm not suggesting you post nonstop for 30 days. Do what feels right for you at the moment, but do it consistently over a period of time to see real change. For example, start by creating a schedule to post three times a week and stick to it for 6-8 months. Even if you don't gain a million followers, you'll learn a lot—not just about the algorithm and how to use it to your advantage, but also about overcoming overthinking and the fear of social media and other people's judgments.

 

If you are looking for more practical tips on getting started with social media, I have a surprise for you! I'm planning a FREE live online workshop on this topic. If you're interested in learning more, click here to answer a few questions, and I'll share the sign-up link with you soon.

 

 

Coming to the point about everything being already done by others- its true! There are no entirely new creations left in the world. But what's important to remember is that even if something has been done before, it hasn't been done by you. When I first started my journey in ceramics, a lot of my work was heavily influenced by the artists I learned from. However, over the last 3-4 years, I've noticed a subtle evolution in my style. Now, there are times when people can recognize my pieces on a shelf and know they were made by me.

 

That said, I still think my work feels somewhat generic, and I don't yet see it as uniquely mine. But that doesn't stop me from creating and sharing my work. I know that with more practice, experience, and exposure, I'll eventually develop a distinctive style that's uniquely my own. The journey is just as important as the destination, and I'm excited to continue evolving and discovering my artistic voice.

 

And I encourage you to create and share your work without feeling the pressure to be unique. The desire to stand out can sometimes be paralyzing, making you second-guess your ideas or hold back from expressing yourself fully. But the beauty of art, in any form, lies in the personal expression and the joy of creation. Even if your work feels similar to what's already out there, your perspective and interpretation bring something new to the table.

 

Remember, it's not about being completely original; it's about bringing your own voice and vision into the world. As you continue to create, you'll naturally develop your style and find your niche. Your work is valuable because it's a reflection of you, and that's what makes it special.

 

I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes with you. Whenever I have doubts about my work, this quote helps me change my perspective from feeling discouraged to feeling hopeful and excited.

 

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.- Martha Graham

 

I hope this email addresses some of the fears and doubts we all face, especially at the beginning stages of our journey. Know that is normal to feel those things and all those people out there who inspire you have been in the exact same spot! But they took that first step to change their circumstances and that overtime has resulted in the success that you now see.

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