当对巨魔的恐惧阻碍你时，如何让自己走出去

A lot of us don't like to admit this, even to ourselves. But in today's digital landscape, putting yourself and your work out there is crucial for creative professionals.
我们很多人不愿意承认这一点，甚至不愿意承认这一点。但在当今的数字环境中，将自己和你的作品展示出来对于创意专业人士来说至关重要。

It doesn't matter how talented you are; people aren't going to find out unless you show them. So whether you're an illustrator sharing your latest artwork on Instagram, a designer showcasing your portfolio on Behance, or a writer publishing your thoughts on a blog, visibility is key to success.
不管你有多么有才华；除非你向他们展示，否则人们不会发现。因此，无论您是在 Instagram 上分享最新艺术作品的插画家、在 Behance 上展示您的作品集的设计师，还是在博客上发布您的想法的作家，可见性都是成功的关键。

But there's a problem. The fear of negative feedback, trolls, and criticism can often hold us back from sharing our work and ourselves online. And this fear is not unfounded.
但有一个问题。对负面反馈、喷子和批评的恐惧常常会阻碍我们在网上分享我们的工作和我们自己。这种担心并非没有根据。

The internet can be a brutal place, full of people emboldened by the shield of anonymity, ready to unleash their negativity at a moment's notice.
互联网可能是一个残酷的地方，人们在匿名的庇护下变得胆大妄为，随时准备释放自己的消极情绪。

Illustrator Katie Chappell offers a depressing example. "On a video I made about 100 days of drawing, someone commented, 'Why not try 100 days at the gym?'," she recalls. "YouTube can be brutal."
插画家凯蒂·查佩尔提供了一个令人沮丧的例子。 “在我制作了大约 100 天绘画的视频中，有人评论说，‘为什么不在健身房尝试 100 天呢？’”她回忆道。 “YouTube 可能很残酷。”

Such experiences can be disheartening and make us question whether putting ourselves out there is worth the potential pain. But ultimately, the benefits of sharing your work and building an online presence far outweigh the risks.
这样的经历可能会令人沮丧，让我们怀疑是否值得承受潜在的痛苦。但最终，分享你的作品和建立在线形象的好处远远大于风险。

So, how do you find the courage to face your fears, develop resilience, and focus on the positive aspects of sharing your creativity with the world? In this article, we'll explore practical tips and strategies, along with some insights shared by the Creative Boom community on Threads and X.
那么，你如何找到勇气面对恐惧，培养适应能力，并专注于与世界分享你的创造力的积极方面呢？在本文中，我们将探讨实用技巧和策略，以及 Creative Boom 社区在Threads和X上分享的一些见解。

1. Find the silver lining
1.找到一线希望

While it's easy to get discouraged by negative comments, try to see the positive side of them. Although you might not believe it, that's possible even when the worst trolls strike.
虽然负面评论很容易让人气馁，但请尝试看到它们积极的一面。尽管你可能不相信，但即使最糟糕的巨魔袭击，这也是可能的。

As multidisciplinary designer Reggie Perry, Jr. points out, "If you're getting unsolicited negative feedback, you're doing something right. It can sting, but don't let it bring you down. Onward." Katie Chappell agrees. "My best advice is to laugh about it and give yourself a pat on the back," she says. "Any comments, even mean ones, are a sign that you actually shared something!"
正如多学科设计师Reggie Perry, Jr.指出的那样，“如果你收到主动提供的负面反馈，那么你就在做正确的事情。它可能会刺痛你，但不要让它让你沮丧。继续前进。”凯蒂·查普尔对此表示同意。 “我最好的建议是一笑置之，并鼓励自己，”她说。 “任何评论，即使是刻薄的评论，都表明你确实分享了一些东西！”

Even dumb and malicious negative feedback is a sign of visibility, then. Meanwhile, other bad comments – even when they're expressed in an unpleasant manner – can sometimes contain a kernel of truth and an opportunity to improve.
那么，即使是愚蠢和恶意的负面反馈也是可见性的标志。与此同时，其他不好的评论——即使是以令人不快的方式表达的——有时也可能包含事实的核心和改进的机会。

Importantly, reframing personal attacks in this way strips the bullies' words of their power. Doing so will help you build a more resilient mindset over time.
重要的是，以这种方式重新组织人身攻击会剥夺欺凌者言语的力量。随着时间的推移，这样做将帮助您建立更有弹性的心态。

2. Remember, it's all subjective
2.记住，这都是主观的

Of course, it's not just attacks from trolls that wound. Polite criticism of our work can feel just as bad, if not worse. So, how do you deal with it?
当然，造成伤害的不仅仅是巨魔的攻击。对我们工作的礼貌批评可能会让人感觉同样糟糕，甚至更糟。那么，你如何处理呢？

Well, for starters, it's crucial to remember that creative work is inherently subjective, and not everyone will appreciate or understand your vision.
首先，重要的是要记住，创造性工作本质上是主观的，并不是每个人都会欣赏或理解你的愿景。

After all, we don't all like the same type of music or TV shows. So you shouldn't expect absolutely everyone to love what you're creating, either. That doesn't mean you're not talented; it just means it's not for them.
毕竟，我们并不都喜欢相同类型的音乐或电视节目。所以你也不应该指望每个人都会喜欢你所创造的东西。这并不意味着你没有才华；这只是意味着它不适合他们。

Art director Craig Sanderson recalls: "I used to get wound up by negative comments, but then I realised that all creative work is subjective. Who are you talking to? Unless the target market was 'everyone', that work won't resonate with some people. And that's fine."
艺术总监克雷格·桑德森 (Craig Sanderson)回忆道：“我曾经经常被负面评论所困扰，但后来我意识到所有创意作品都是主观的。你在跟谁说话？除非目标市场是‘所有人’，否则作品不会引起共鸣。”有些人，那很好。”

Rosie Greener, founder of Good Daze Jewellery, echoes this sentiment. "I always try to remind myself that everything is subjective; there truly is no right or wrong when it comes to creativity," she says. "Nothing is for everyone. If you have that mindset, it's easier to take things less personally and focus on those your work does resonate with."
Good Daze Jewellery的创始人 Rosie Greener 也表达了同样的观点。 “我总是试图提醒自己，一切都是主观的；创造力确实没有对错之分，”她说。 “没有什么是适合所有人的。如果你有这种心态，你就会更容易把事情放在心上，而专注于那些与你的工作产生共鸣的人。”

By accepting this simple truth, you can focus on connecting with your target audience rather than trying to please everyone.
通过接受这个简单的事实，您可以专注于与目标受众建立联系，而不是试图取悦所有人。

3. Focus on continuous improvement
3. 注重持续改进

Of course, logic is one thing; emotion is another. And it's an inescapable fact that a single negative comment about our work can have a devastating effect on us emotionally.
当然，逻辑是一回事；逻辑是一回事。情感是另一个。不可避免的事实是，对我们工作的任何负面评论都会对我们的情感产生毁灭性的影响。

Depressingly, there's no level of success you can achieve that will prevent this. According to countless press interviews, even the world's biggest stars often get sucked into a downward spiral of obsessing over criticism. It's simply a part of being human.
令人沮丧的是，无论你取得多大的成功，都无法阻止这种情况的发生。根据无数的媒体采访，即使是世界上最伟大的明星也经常陷入沉迷于批评的恶性循环中。这只是人类的一部分。

So there's no way around it. You're going to get slagged off, and it will hurt and anger you. That's something you can't control.
所以没有办法解决这个问题。你会被骂，这会让你受伤、愤怒。那是你无法控制的。

But what you can control is what you do next.

It's perfectly natural to obsess over negative feedback and let it stew over time. But that's ultimately a waste of energy. Instead, you need to channel your energy into consistently improving your craft. This approach not only helps you grow as a creative professional but also builds confidence in your abilities.

In the words of motion designer Ryan Grandmaison: "Make it and put it out there. Do it a lot. Be so busy doing the next thing that you forget about the last. Anything that doesn't help make your next work better is just noise."

By maintaining a focus on improvement and progress, you'll find that the fear of criticism becomes less overwhelming. Each piece of work you share becomes a stepping stone in your journey rather than a definitive statement of your worth as a creative.

4. Develop a thick skin

While it's important to be open to constructive criticism, there will always be trolls and idiots reacting to your stuff. So, toughening yourself up is something you're going to have to do over time, like it or not.

As illustrator and designer Rich Banks says: "You need thick skin and be able to take criticism; otherwise, the creative industry isn't for you. People will never be kind or give you anything, so you must be honest with yourself and your work and always try to improve. Otherwise, any feedback will always hurt."

Of course, this doesn't mean becoming callous or dismissive. But it does mean developing the ability to distinguish between constructive criticism and baseless negativity. By building up this resilience, you'll be better equipped to handle the challenges of putting yourself out there.

As graphic designer Mike Sullivan notes: "People are very forgiving. We need to realise that. It's not as daunting as we're made to believe. We're professionals: embrace it."

5. Practise gradual exposure

If all of this feels overwhelming, a good strategy is to start small and gradually increase your exposure over time.

Illustrator Heather Zhou shares her personal approach. "I practise expressing myself better through small actions such as sharing daily on social media and supporting others to build a community. In this way, my attention is largely taken up by positive feedback and continuous self-improvement, and I gain greater resilience to handle rejections."

For those nervous about appearing on camera, glass artist Linda Rossiter offers some practical advice: "Write down the bullet points of what you want to say: not a whole sentence, just a reminder. Look for a few areas in your space where you could record. This might be at the doorway of your studio, sitting at your desk, standing with a piece of your artwork, or at your printer. Record one sentence at a time in each area."

By taking small, manageable steps, you can build confidence over time and gradually become more comfortable sharing your work and yourself online. For further tips, read our introvert's guide to creating video content.

6. Embrace the power of authenticity

Here's something super-important when putting yourself out there: don't pretend to be something you're not. People can smell BS a mile off and won't let you off lightly. So, instead, be genuine and true to yourself.

That might seem scary, but it's the best way to connect with your audience and build trust and credibility. Plus, it's a lot less tiring than putting on a facade! As artist Chris Cyprus advises: "Be as authentic as possible. It's easy to spot the ones who are faking it. Your true self will gain trust with your audience and customer base."

That doesn't mean you'll connect with everyone, of course. In fact, it's inevitable that when you put your stick in the sand, some people won't like it.

But over time, by embracing your unique voice and perspective, you'll attract an audience that appreciates you for who you are. And that will make it easier to brush off negative comments from those who don't align with your vision.

7. Use storytelling to connect

Following that last point, sharing the story behind your work and your creative process is a great way to build a deeper connection with your audience and provide context for your creations.

As artist Daniel Sroka puts it: "Learn how to write about your art. We like to think art can speak for itself, but it really can't. All art needs some context in order to be really appreciated. So, practice writing about your art: what you do, what you see, and what you feel while making it. The more you write about your art, the more comfortable you'll be talking about it, and the easier it will be to share it. And the more your audience will understand and appreciate it."

By sharing your journey, challenges and inspirations, you'll humanise your work and create opportunities for deeper engagement with your audience.

8. Embrace imperfection

The fear of putting work out there that isn't "perfect" can be paralysing. And again, it's a natural human trait that affects all of us. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci famously worked on the Mona Lisa for years and never considered it finished, constantly revisiting and refining it.

The irony is, though, that embracing imperfection and sharing your journey, including the stumbles, can be a powerful way to connect with an audience.

Connor O'Neill, creator of design resource Nollie Design. offers a real-world example. "I put my first video out a few days ago," she says. "It was pretty much: 'This video is terrible. It's intended to be terrible. It's only going to get better from here.' And honestly, that helped a lot. Everything I do now is better than that first video."

By accepting that not everything you share will be flawless, you'll give yourself the freedom to experiment, learn, and grow in the open. On the other hand, waiting until your work feels "perfect" only sets you up for frustration and missed opportunities.

9. Focus on positive outcomes

Instead of dwelling on potential negative outcomes, try to focus on the positive possibilities that come from sharing your work. That might sound a bit self help-y, but it really does work in practice.

That's what illustrator and artist Yusra Na'im has found, anyway. "My secret to pushing through fear is exposure therapy, backed with what I like to call 'positive delusion': prioritising best case scenarios," she explains. "This came about after I noticed how much power and validity I was giving to my negative 'what-ifs'. Now, instead of letting initial doubts set the tone, I challenge myself to consider and lead with the other extreme: 'What if this takes me to the next level?'"

Designer Brandon Moore puts it another way. "Instead of asking yourself 'What if it doesn't go well?' ask yourself 'what if it does?'," he explains. "You're sharing your work to make a living at this and get more work. Just keep that goal in mind. Don't feed the trolls."

By focusing on the potential positive outcomes – new opportunities, connections, and growth – you'll soon find the motivation to overcome your fears and put yourself out there.

10. Remember who pays the bills

Of course, no one is saying any of this is easy. As Boma Krijgsman, brand and talent manager at design agency JDO, notes: "Dealing with trolls and negative comments on social media can be daunting. But it's important to remember that these individuals are often driven by their own insecurities and have nothing better to do than spread negativity. They're just miserable people trying to make themselves feel better by putting others down. I always say that their opinions don't pay my bills!"

At the same time, remember that not all feedback is bad. "Constructive criticism can be valuable for growth," Boma adds. "If comments are constructive, consider them thoughtfully and use them to improve. If they're just negative or hurtful, try to let them slide off your back or just block and delete.

"Surround yourself with positive feedback and supportive communities and set clear boundaries for your social media use," she continues. "Decide which platforms and types of interactions you're comfortable with and stick to them. You can also use privacy settings and content filters to manage your experience, for example, turning off the ability for people to add comments. Although this does impact your engagement, which is one of the main things the algorithm loves if you're trying to grow your account."

Ultimately, though, developing a thick skin, taking breaks when needed, and understanding the nature of online behaviour can help you through all of this. "Engage positively, build a support network, and educate yourself to better manage your experience," says Boma. "If you stay true to yourself and focus on your goals, you should be able to navigate social media with confidence."