Your work is unique. Otherwise, what would be the point of making it? Therefore comparisons to what others make are invalid.
I often remind myself, “Compare and Despair” because bad feelings are all I get from comparing my work with work made by anyone else.
The only worthwhile comparison is to the work you made before. Ask yourself, “Have I done better than last time? Have I improved on that one thing I didn’t like?”
Another trick: Make your stuff so different that comparisons would strain credulity. Draw a unicorn battle mech. Only a fool would say it’s like a horse but not as pretty.
I love the comments between you and Kelcey. — I tend to take the final, head in sand, approach. I do think there’s a lot of logic in putting blinders on when you are working on a project. Knowing that you then open back up and broaden your view is wonderful.
Thanks Amy! My natural inclination is the “head in the sand approach” too, but then I have to remind myself that while that’s good for a time period, there’s also a time to open up again and learn.
Comparisonitis! I suffer from this too, especially thinking my work is derivative and unnecessary. One thing I find helpful is recalibrating—reminding myself of the pleasure I take in the process, rather than focusing on the product and whether it’s good enough, etc.
Good call, Anna! Yes, being in the present with the process is such a good way to recalibrate. I should remind myself that interestingly, I rarely experience Comparisonitus when I'm actually making art.
Beautifully done, Katharine. This has always been true but social media intensifies the dangers of letting yourself be consumed by the life of other people. Guy de Maupassant’s story called “ The Necklace” illustrates the perils brilliantly: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Necklace
Thank you so much, Sal! Yes, the image of the ostrich is what I do when I notice Comparisonitus coming up when on social media. I think to myself, "Okay, time to leave social media for the day." Also, we read a version of THE NECKLACE in middle school (very young) and the story really scared me at the time! I'm sure they were trying to teach us a lesson of honesty as well as not comparing oneself to others, but poor Mathilde!
Scary. I read it as a Sophomore in high school in my French 3 class. I was mature enough to appreciate it by then, barely.
I see it as allowing yourself to be drawn into the paths of other people rather than treading your own. Envy is really about over-valuing other people's existence rather than appreciating our own. The great danger, and social media amplifies this, is that our view of the lives of others is deceptive and can lead to ruin.
Yes, it was way too young to read it. I'm sure the well-meaning teacher saw the disparities in my affluent prep school and wanted to teach us a lesson about envy, but instead it haunted me.
That makes me so happy that my post inspired you to post it, Sal. And the post was great!
For what it's worth, YOU are someone who gives me a big dose of Comparisonitus! I love your work so much! Becoming comrades certainly helps because then, instead of being demoralized and intimidated, I'm like, "We're PALS!" 😊🥰
Ha! I get Comparisonitus with you too! And you're one of the people who I tell myself, "view her as inspiration!" And yes, I love your work and we're pals, so that helps :)
My eight-year-old self would be completely stoked that I did become a cartoonist even though my 23 to 30-year-old self faked it for far too long in the pharmaceutical industry.
I got to a point where I couldn't do the corporate stuff anymore and had a bit of a breakdown. The only other thing I knew how to do was cartoon. 25 years later it turned out to be the best worst thing that has ever happened to me.
I'm plagued by this every day. I combat it by relaxing and having fun (as best I can), which means turning off the analytical and planning part of my brain that feels compelled to make meaning and have everything I make be "meaningful". I tell myself that whenever I sit down and commit to my art practice that's meaningful in and of itself.
I love that, Vicki! And I often tell myself that just sitting down and creating is the most important thing, regardless of what I make. Your comment is also a good reminder to me about the power of having fun (something I can sometimes forget!)
Your reflections here really resonate with me. Transforming comparison into inspiration is a decisive goal, and your candidness about this struggle is both brave and inspiring. Your achievements as a graphic novelist and the joy of fulfilling childhood dreams show remarkable growth. Thank you for sharing your journey—it's a heartfelt reminder to celebrate our unique paths and milestones. Keep inspiring us!
Thanks so much, Sarah! Naming often feels like a powerful thing, especially with emotional things. Once I name something, I'm better able to face it and move past it. And if there's humor there too, it helps me as well.
Your work is unique. Otherwise, what would be the point of making it? Therefore comparisons to what others make are invalid.
I often remind myself, “Compare and Despair” because bad feelings are all I get from comparing my work with work made by anyone else.
The only worthwhile comparison is to the work you made before. Ask yourself, “Have I done better than last time? Have I improved on that one thing I didn’t like?”
Another trick: Make your stuff so different that comparisons would strain credulity. Draw a unicorn battle mech. Only a fool would say it’s like a horse but not as pretty.
Thanks for those thoughts, Kirk! I love the phrase “compare and despair.” That is so true!
I love the comments between you and Kelcey. — I tend to take the final, head in sand, approach. I do think there’s a lot of logic in putting blinders on when you are working on a project. Knowing that you then open back up and broaden your view is wonderful.
Thanks Amy! My natural inclination is the “head in the sand approach” too, but then I have to remind myself that while that’s good for a time period, there’s also a time to open up again and learn.
Comparisonitis! I suffer from this too, especially thinking my work is derivative and unnecessary. One thing I find helpful is recalibrating—reminding myself of the pleasure I take in the process, rather than focusing on the product and whether it’s good enough, etc.
Good call, Anna! Yes, being in the present with the process is such a good way to recalibrate. I should remind myself that interestingly, I rarely experience Comparisonitus when I'm actually making art.
Our greatest strength is also our greatest weakness
Very true, Paul! I find this to be the case in many areas of my life.
Beautifully done, Katharine. This has always been true but social media intensifies the dangers of letting yourself be consumed by the life of other people. Guy de Maupassant’s story called “ The Necklace” illustrates the perils brilliantly: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Necklace
Thank you so much, Sal! Yes, the image of the ostrich is what I do when I notice Comparisonitus coming up when on social media. I think to myself, "Okay, time to leave social media for the day." Also, we read a version of THE NECKLACE in middle school (very young) and the story really scared me at the time! I'm sure they were trying to teach us a lesson of honesty as well as not comparing oneself to others, but poor Mathilde!
Scary. I read it as a Sophomore in high school in my French 3 class. I was mature enough to appreciate it by then, barely.
I see it as allowing yourself to be drawn into the paths of other people rather than treading your own. Envy is really about over-valuing other people's existence rather than appreciating our own. The great danger, and social media amplifies this, is that our view of the lives of others is deceptive and can lead to ruin.
Your post got me over my comparisonitus about posting on Substack. Thanks! This post had been in the draft folder sincen the start of the year: https://open.substack.com/pub/saldaher/p/a-cheap-date-calorie-wise?r=es0fr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Yes, it was way too young to read it. I'm sure the well-meaning teacher saw the disparities in my affluent prep school and wanted to teach us a lesson about envy, but instead it haunted me.
That makes me so happy that my post inspired you to post it, Sal. And the post was great!
For what it's worth, YOU are someone who gives me a big dose of Comparisonitus! I love your work so much! Becoming comrades certainly helps because then, instead of being demoralized and intimidated, I'm like, "We're PALS!" 😊🥰
Ha! I get Comparisonitus with you too! And you're one of the people who I tell myself, "view her as inspiration!" And yes, I love your work and we're pals, so that helps :)
And to clarify—you do inspire me so much!
I got that, thanks! ❤️ I love when Comparisonitus turns into MutualAdmirationitus 😂
What a lovely illustration of comparison-itis.
My eight-year-old self would be completely stoked that I did become a cartoonist even though my 23 to 30-year-old self faked it for far too long in the pharmaceutical industry.
Thank you, Alex! It's very impressive you made the shift from the pharmaceuticals to comics! I can't imagine that transition was easy.
I got to a point where I couldn't do the corporate stuff anymore and had a bit of a breakdown. The only other thing I knew how to do was cartoon. 25 years later it turned out to be the best worst thing that has ever happened to me.
I'm plagued by this every day. I combat it by relaxing and having fun (as best I can), which means turning off the analytical and planning part of my brain that feels compelled to make meaning and have everything I make be "meaningful". I tell myself that whenever I sit down and commit to my art practice that's meaningful in and of itself.
I love that, Vicki! And I often tell myself that just sitting down and creating is the most important thing, regardless of what I make. Your comment is also a good reminder to me about the power of having fun (something I can sometimes forget!)
And your comment is a reminder for me to sit down every day because even that act feels scary. Thank you!
Your reflections here really resonate with me. Transforming comparison into inspiration is a decisive goal, and your candidness about this struggle is both brave and inspiring. Your achievements as a graphic novelist and the joy of fulfilling childhood dreams show remarkable growth. Thank you for sharing your journey—it's a heartfelt reminder to celebrate our unique paths and milestones. Keep inspiring us!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Jon! I really appreciate it!
Love this.
Thank you, Dimitri!
I love the idea of naming it Comparisonitis! And the animal metaphors for each are so perfect. Love the monkeys hanging from trees especially :D
Thanks so much, Sarah! Naming often feels like a powerful thing, especially with emotional things. Once I name something, I'm better able to face it and move past it. And if there's humor there too, it helps me as well.
I love the elephant in this post! And I have to constantly remind myself how far I have come, just like you said!
Thanks Maddy! Yeah, the "look how far I come" is often the antidote that I need for Comparisonitus.
Your post is so powerful that it got me over my comparisonitus about posting in my Substack. I had this post ready since the start of the year but was so intimidated by then high standards of other stackers that I put off publishing it. Thanks for getting me over the perfectionist hump. Here's "A Cheap Date, Calorie-Wise" https://open.substack.com/pub/saldaher/p/a-cheap-date-calorie-wise?r=es0fr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true