Art, Vulnerability, & Feeling Invisible
When the People Closest to You Don’t Get It
Being an artist is being vulnerable.
People talk about the highs of creating; the joy, the passion, the dream of doing what you love. But they don’t always talk about the part that hurts the most: putting yourself out there and being met with silence from the people you thought would cheer the loudest.
Being an artist means being vulnerable. Whether it’s a pattern, a product, a post, or an idea, it’s all a piece of you. And when you finally work up the courage to share it, what you hope for is excitement. Support. Maybe even a proud little shoutout. But sometimes… crickets.
It hurts…not because you need constant validation, but because it’s human to want the people you love to see you. To say, “I’m proud of you.” To just show up.
I once had a mentor tell me, “Your friends and family aren’t your target audience.” And while that was a hard pill to swallow at the time, I’m so glad I took it. Because it’s true. Even though they could easily like, comment, or share your work, they often don’t. And not because you’re not talented — but because they simply don’t get it. Or they don’t take it seriously. Or they don’t realize how much it would mean.
But here’s the truth I’ve had to learn: not everyone will understand your passion and that doesn’t make it any less valid. Your creativity doesn’t need their stamp of approval to matter. Some people just aren’t capable of supporting what they don’t understand. And that’s not a reflection of your worth. It’s a reflection of their own limitations.
Thankfully, you get to decide who your work is for. And most of the time? Your people, the ones who really see your magic, aren’t always in your family group chat. They might be other creatives, online friends, loyal customers, or strangers who turn into your biggest fans.
So if you’re creating something and feeling discouraged because the people closest to you don’t seem to care... keep going anyway. Share it anyway. Make it anyway. You never know who out there needs what you’re making.
I promise you’re not alone in this. And I promise it’s still worth it 🩷 ✨
