What if Nobody’s Watching?
What if Nobody’s Listening?
What if Nobody Cares about the thing you are doing as much as you do?
Yeah… I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.
Sometimes you put everything that is you into your art, photos, words, whatever it is. You share it. You wait. And nothing, crickets.
Maybe you get a few likes, and someone drop a fire emoji, heart or something. Then they keep scrolling.
You start to wonder. Did anyone actually see it?
I mean, not just look at it, but feel it.
Did they hear the message?
Did they see what you see?
Did they understand the hours you spent pouring your soul into this thing?
Did they see you?
And the worst part?
You start asking yourself, “If nobody’s paying attention, does it even matter?”
Why Your Creative Work Still Matters
Here’s what I’m starting to realize
If you’re only doing the thing for other people… you’re going to burn out fast! (See Fer Caggiano’s post on BurnOut)
But, if you’re doing it because you have to, because you need to, and would feel even worse if you didn’t, then it matters.
It matters even if no one claps or gives you a pat on the back.
Even if no one says, “Wow, that is awesome.”
Even if nobody shares or reposts it.
Because to be honest, feeling invisible is all part of the artist’s journey.
Feeling Invisible Is Part of the Process
I think we all want to be seen. That’s human.
Especially when we are creators.
But when nobody notices we can start to feel invisible.
We start to doubt ourselves and the work we are creating.
But, if you stick with it and keep showing up when nobody’s watching you will improve.
Not only that, eventually, people will start to notice.
Maybe quietly at first. A slow trickle of attention.
And then “One Day” it all comes true.
You make it, whatever that looks like to you.
To outsiders it might look like it happened overnight, but it didn’t. It never does.
One day, It'll happen, One day, one day,… It'll all come true – Bjork Share on XRemember that song by Bjork?
One day
When you’re ready
One day, one day
When you’re up to itThe atmosphere
Will get lighter
And two suns ready
To shine just for youI can feel it
I can feel itOne day
It’ll happen
One day, one day
It’ll all make senseOne day, you will blossom
One day, one day
When you’re ready (one day, one day)An aeroplane
Will curve gracefully
Around the volcano
With the eruption that never lets you down
If you want to listen to the song, here is the YouTube link. 2:43 Mark, that’s for you! Trust me.
So, what do you do until that ONE DAY comes?
You keep showing up anyway.
You keep pressing publish.
You keep taking the photo.
You keep writing the weird blog post you’re not even sure makes sense or if anyone will read.
You keep minting your work, even if it sits unsold.
You keep sharing your story, even when the algorithm ignores it and nobody cares.
Because every time you do, you’re building something.
Even if nobody claps, you’re getting better. You’re growing. You’re putting something into the world that wasn’t there before.
And that’s kind of amazing right?
As for the people who “make it”?
They didn’t wait to be noticed before they started acting like they were worth noticing.
They acted as if.
As if their work mattered.
As if their voice deserved to be heard.
As if they belonged in the room, even when the room was empty.
And honestly, I think that’s the kind of quiet, persistent belief that can and will change everything.
So yeah, maybe nobody’s watching right now.
Maybe nobody’s listening today.
Maybe nobody cares about what you’re doing as much as you do.
But do it anyway.
Because you’re watching.
You’re listening.
And you care.
And if that’s not enough reason to keep going…
I don’t know what is.
Feeling Invisible?
Do you feel invisible?
Does nobody notice you?
Are you just shouting into the void?
If so, I would love to hear how you keep going in spite of it all.
And, if you are feeling in a creative rut, check out this post: How to get Out of a Creative Rut
I SEE YOU! Drop a Comment and let’s connect with each other!
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Another wonderful article, Michael!
It reminds me of the project I am doing: “An Artist’s Life” and how much we struggle as artists.
We create to share, we create to express how we are feeling, we create to generate an impact.
Although I believe the most important part is to create because our soul needs to create, there is such an important aspect to how our work reaches the world. Feeling invisible is painful. Not selling can impact our capability to create.
In a perfect scenario, we should be fulfilled by creating even if nobody is watching, but the reality is very different.
Thank you for writing about this!
I love your project “An Artist’s Life”. We definitely keep feeding our own soul because it’s hungry, even if nobody is watching. Thanks for the comment Fer, much appreciated!
Beautifully written, Michael. I can recognize my thoughts here too. Thank you you express them in this wonderful way.
Thank you Svetlana, for stopping by and leaving a comment my friend. Appreciate it
Excellent essay. I used to crave the visibility, the clicks, the flame emojis – and there’s still a part of me that does. But it’s that urge to create something beautiful that keeps driving me on. Apparently I am not alone. :)
Kevin! It’s good to see you, well not see you but you know what I mean lol. Thanks for stopping by and reading me ramble on. Keep creating my friend, you are not alone.