Learn to Embrace Your Own Creative Style
- Alisia Latoi
- Dec 23, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2024
It’s real easy to compare yourself to another creator. No matter your artistic outlet; be it painting, writing, or any other forms of design; it’s hard not to measure achievement against your idea of success with a lens focused on someone else. Often I have found myself scrolling online posts with the thought, “why didn’t I come up with that line or concept”. It’s a dangerous spiral to be on. The popularity of creators is constantly front facing on social platforms like Instagram. While it is not wise to completely disengage, it is wise to limit interaction and exposure. Upholding limits and setting boundaries was something I found difficult to master for a time. Once I acknowledged the compulsion and its negative impacts (i.e. questioning my style of writing and doubting my ability to create) as a red flag , the work towards refinement began.
Embracing your uniqueness is an essential part of creative maintenance. My poems steer from the trendy short length by being long winded. I nearly gave up while under the impression that there was no space fitted for that style. I started to conform to standard poetic structures, which there is nothing wrong with. However, when I apply restraints to writing it becomes suffocating and accompanies a lack of zeal.
I found ways to set boundaries when engaging social platforms and to embrace my own style of writing. Here are some tips that have helped me when focusing on uniqueness.
Use comparison as a motivator (comparison teaches what is most valuable to you. In that way, it encourages improvement)
Be aware of your triggers (knowing what causes your spiral is an important factor in gaining control)
Focus on your strengths (doing so will highlight what makes you stand out)
Celebrate others too (embracing your uniqueness makes this act more authentic and fulfilling)
Unlock the power of contentment/ compete with yourself (be happy with your innate abilities)
Limit the time you spend on social media checking out creators who share your talent (Instead engage creators whose skills differ from yours)
Remember your why (why am I committed to writing; because the form of expression is liberating)
Take breaks and don’t force creativity if uninspired (there is nothing worse than art void of inspiration, so don’t feel guilty for taking breaks until the spark returns)
Once these were mastered, I fully embraced the writing style, which I’ve named as rambling poetry. I compare a little less, celebrate the work of others without differentiating, and flow artistically without restraints.
Stay Uplifted,
Alisia Latoi
References:
Comments