Creating a webcomic can become akin to a second job. Although you set your own hours, it can lead to an underlying sense that you’re not “doing enough”. Balancing this anxiety can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you manage the feeling of “not doing enough”.
Recognise when you’re comparing yourself to others
The pervasive nature of social media makes it easy to compare yourself to others leading to an increase in feeling inferior or that you’re missing out. It’s worth remembering that what people post vs what is actually happening in their lives are not the same. Everyone has their own pace and that’s okay. Schedule time throughout the day/week to be away from your phone. As Pablo Picasso said, “Without great solitude no serious work is possible.” Engage in light exercise, perferrably outside. Spend time with friends offline or hug your pet, even if it’s just 20 minutes.
Celebrate your achievements!
When you put one foot in front of the other, eventually you arrive at your destination, so take the time to pause and celebrate your progress. Some days, the achievement is putting your shoe on when you didn’t want to. Sometimes, it’s completing the marathon. When you feel like you’ve achieved something. Pat yourself on the back.
Find ways to enjoy the “process”
There is a lot involved in creating a comic and there will be tasks you put off because they’re not interesting to you. When you begin to feel this way, take a moment to think why that is. For instance if you’re finding lineart to be laborious, rather than avoiding the task, research ways you can make your process quicker.. Set yourself a small goal to achieve and you’ll soon find that not only do you enjoy the process more, but you’ll improve your skills as well!
How do you manage not feeling like you’re doing enough? Does FOMO factor into your comic creation process? Let us know in the comment section below! And join us on Sunday evening for our Quackchat at 5:30PM(EST)!
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FOMO and comic creation
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, July 30, 2021
5 likes!
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PaulEberhardt at 7:14AM, July 31, 2021
I definitely haven't done enough for years, but it can't be helped in my case. I found that celebrating past achievements, no matter how small, is crucial here, because they're what makes getting back on track one fine day a worthwhile goal to work towards to.
usedbooks at 3:50AM, July 30, 2021
Community projects on DD really helped me back in the day. It was like a break from my routine but also sorely needed social interaction and extra helpful art practice. It's the quick cure for FOMO.
usedbooks at 3:47AM, July 30, 2021
It definitely takes time and effort to be able to focus inward and create for yourself. It's a humbling experience to look at what seems like a reasonable update schedule and say it's too much. Step it back. If comics are your hobby, they should always be enjoyable. Never a chore. Create at your pace and for your enjoyment. (If it's a job, then that's a different can of worms. But with any job, you have to schedule breaks to avoid burnout and keep your production level and quality high.)
hushicho at 1:50AM, July 30, 2021
It's so easy to become trapped in a cycle of not appreciating oneself, which can easily become self-loathing, and it's only a fine line between the two of them. Taking time for oneself is so crucially important, and I'm glad you pointed out that rewarding oneself is also really important to remember to do. Burning out is one of the worst feelings in the world. Every artist should try to avoid it!
area5_1 at 1:45AM, July 30, 2021
This is a great post idea, it's so easy to become wrapped up in what social media can expect. But it's a lesson in futility, forever chasing something that you really have no control over. Some great points here,.. free yourself (at least partially) and throw yourself into some wholesome creativity and share it with your friends on Duck. And above all, enjoy the process.