grabs you softly by the shoulders. listen to me
if you have a budding artist in your life who's just starting out drawing or singing or writing or anything you're going to encourage them. you are going to find something genuine and sincere to say about their work, and you are going to say it.
even if it sucks ! it's so hard to start something and so brave to share it with the world. they gotta do it twenty times before it's okay? they refused to give up. it's wonky and lumpy? there is something in the world made from their heart that didn't use to exist. they struggled at every step? perseverance is such an important skill. there is always charm in something made by dear hands.
it doesn't matter if it sucks now and it doesn't matter if it doesn't stop sucking ! it's not about its value to anyone but the person who made it, and what better value is there than 'made someone i love happy'?
most people aren't looking to make a career out of it. they feel the need to create and they are pursuing it in a world that constantly tries to make us believe art is worthless and a waste of our time. after all, we could be grinding to make some asshole the next billionaire instead.
creating something can be therapeutic, it can be a fun challenge, a great way to focus, a good opportunity to keep your brain healthy learning new things. for some of us, making art is the only way we feel we can truly communicate.
so if someone you're friendly with on the internet just got started making seed bead bracelets or star trek gif sets or writing gothic poetry, let them know it's cool when you see them post about it ! you never know if the people around them said it's stupid and told them they'll quit this one in a week too. it isn't stupid and it doesn't matter if they quit, it matters they tried. for as long as they wanted to. so help them stay motivated.
the world is sometimes a very hard place. we can all help make it a little softer. and it's such important work we can all do, to raise others up.
