We are the generation that desperately seeks validation. Don’t even say “no that’s not me at all,” because it is and you just might not be aware of it.

If you’re a creator, you most likely have an Instagram account or some sort of a presence on the Internet. Your art – photography, film, paintings, music, poetry, makeup, styling, and so on – is probably online. Sure, you might be super passionate about your artistry, but if you find yourself creating content just to create content… there’s a problem. You know what I mean?

1. Don’t create art just to put it on social media.

This is an unstable way to grow as an artist.

If you’re just taking photos or writing poetry just because you need to post on Instagram, what are you really getting out of it?

Here’s some tea: you want validation and you use that creative platform to your advantage. I’m sure acceptance from strangers on the Internet and a social media app that probably won’t be around in 100 years isn’t what you really want out of life.

2. Think about how you feel, not how you look. 

There’s the pressure to create and post on social media and that can lead to some issues, like anxiety or a lack of confidence. If you’re a creative professional, you can’t neglect the way you think and feel just to keep up with the social norms of Instagram. Your mental health is more important than anything else.

How does your art make you feel? Is it therapeutic? Do you feel proud or accomplished or content or calm?

You’re in a vulnerable place and that can be scary. The way you feel about your art and how you create should be more important than how others see you and view your art, especially online. If you put your art out into the world, people will see it, obviously, but you have to create for you and you have to create something you are going to look at and be proud of.

You shouldn’t create something just because you know people are going to look at it. You shouldn’t create something because you’re forcing yourself to.

3. Don’t create content just to create content.

You’re not a machine! Don’t subject yourself (so soon) to the impending reality of the future – that machines are taking over and we will soon become one of them.

We are in this generation of go, go, go. We feel like if we’re not busy and overwhelmed with work, we’re lazy and we’re not doing anything of importance.

Remember: You! Are! Not! A! Content! Machine!

Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t let yourself get into this spiraling idea that you need to constantly be doing something and creating something and updating Instagram with whatever you’re doing. If what you’re doing is forced, it’s not genuine and it’s probably not going to be good either. (Tea…)

Art is a process. Take time with it. Give it some TLC.