How I put down my phone and started making art I cared about

[@Karin029_]

I feel like fanart can also be very meaningful to oneself. Fanart is not always just for numbers. Sometimes you just connect to a character's story a lot and it personally inspires you.

[@Atsuki.x]

True!! You can make art to express yourself that's dear to your heart with a character you relate to/like!!

[@mela4787]

some old paintings arent fanart of bible or other historical figures anyway?

[@ggraverobber]

lol true. We draw what inspires or moves us. or what we think is beautiful and worth investing time in.@@mela4787

[@jewels2896]

I think that’s a big reason I got into art. While I really want to create original stuff now I love getting lost in other worlds and drawing it. It feels fulfilling sometimes, but if that’s all I did I would feel so unmotivated.

[@ggraverobber]

@@Khanum34 AI will force people to make greater art because AI is already making the same shit as people are.

[@sammiisdead8965]

"real life is the best food for an artist" this is so real, I remember earlier last year i decided to start doing art after an almost 6-7 yr art block. I was in the lobby at work just sketching a clown and another artist came up to compliment me and said it reminded him of a clown he did hisself and he showed me. :) it was a very eye-opening experience and helped me gain a bit more confidence in my art leading me to continue in my goal of re-starting art again.

[@zanettilla]

I skipped college. At least in my country, if you are an artist, college is more of a burden, instead of being useful. That means that since I am 18, I am totally alone vs the adult world. My family is kinda supportuve, luckily, but still, its hard. This video is really helpful

[@testeteste811]

Same

[@Саповок]

Same, I've accomplished 11 gardes of school and didn't go to university, cuz in my country art studying also isn't the best...so I'm taking online courses and hope to be a junior 2d artist after a year (⁠๑⁠•⁠﹏⁠•⁠) Goodluck everyone who's struggling with studying for their future art job hehe

[@pikapika2681]

@@Саповок best of luck to you as well kind stranger 😁

[@urebeautyful]

my country has the same. this year all of my friends went to colleges and unis and i started to freelance but i dont get enough commissions to make sure i can live by my own. Is it even ok? to not going to colleges?? i feel so strange about it qwq help

[@Саповок]

@@urebeautyful I think it's better to get real knowledge than a degree. Even though art unis can be good teaching you fundamentals, they won't give much knowledge of how to work digitally and with AI (which is now an important instrument). Moreover, art sphere is the one that doesn't really claim your degree. Art job needs a portfolio, skill and experience! And I'm sure you can get it by freelance, online courses or irl fundamentals courses (still lifes, figure drawing), so I think it's pretty ok^^ it's just important to get knowledge, it's no matter whether it's university or other sources. It's my opinion after all, cuz I have the same situation :D (besides I'm just studying and not taking comms yet) So keep going and try many things! Maybe one day you will decide to go to uni, but if now yiu feel it's not that necessary and freelance will work for you - it's ok not to go to the uni! Goodluck anyway!! I'm sure you'll find your way of doing what you love✨

[@plumli4947]

Thank you for not saying "just quit social media and detox lol", for a lot people this is where our friendships and sources of information come from. Being on it is not the problem, it's what we're using it for. During my worst times I'm using it to escape, during my best times it's how I'm connected to the world.

[@sarahrose9944]

Agreed! The tips in this video allow social media to be used more sustainably with less negative side-effects (hopefully).

[@Dani_1012]

I enjoy being online, being online is what fueled my return to creative spaces, so I'm one that never wants to leave but also don't want to use it so much as escapism but as a source for creative motivation, and I'm glad she gave actual useful tips for doing this instead of quitting the internet

[@justsaraki6593]

Same here.

[@JuanCarlo8675]

I agree with what you say, during pandemic discord save me from going nuts XD. I made friends one day i wish to meet irl and its kinda nice, i wont hide the fact that this last few years this went from something good to an annoyance

[@iiCounted-op5jx]

FAXX

[@dondankleberg4965]

a super important point: dont make art for people to like it, or to please an idea. but do it for yourself! your first intention will carry all the way to the end. so if you do it in order to make people like you, or to get money, then you will not be inspired by the experience you manifest into art, but by the voices and doubts and wants of other people. this means your artistic heart cant speak! so if you want it to speak, listen to it!

[@RandomButBeautiful]

I did this and ended up broke :)

[@doggoadexx2680]

This is a good lesson when drawing as a hobby but not as a career. Your drawings have to please others not just to learn about others (being inclusive) but also to make money.

[@scarvello]

Depends if you do it for a hobby or for actual income. When you’re an artist and work for clients you can’t put yourself as the center of everything.

[@RandomButBeautiful]

@@scarvello accurate

[@sunshineshappiness520]

I liked your point. I don't even know what I like (I do but my skills are not good enough to reach it). Plus I dislike my own feed so much I wish it looked more lively but I can't bc ... colors!! Good luck to every struggling artist out there!!! xoxo

[@walkingexistentialdread8520]

"Don't try to finish projects, focus on getting into flow instead" is one of the best pieces of advice I've received, period. Thank you!

[@dazzle3b73]

This was genuinely incredible to watch. You have touched upon one of the biggest problems for creative minds, and your advice couldn't be more helpful. Thank you!🐥💛

[@juhisonde9735]

Creative minds that competition u talking about?

[@dazzle3b73]

@juhisonde9735 I might have misunderstood your question, but I think you meant creative minds that compete? Yes, but not just competitors. I'm talking about creative minds overall, even those who aren't looking to make it big or keep up with trends! Artists inspire each other all the time, but sometimes, that can be a little confusing to someone who's just trying to create. Hope I answered your question!

[@jonr6680]

Plus, astonishing artistic talent, plus wisdom beyond 99.999% of people of any age let alone so young.

[@WhizPill]

This is very valuable thank you.

[@theanimaster]

Not always the case. For some people, art needs a purpose. Not everyone is wired the same. For me, my art just can’t compete against Midjourney - but I do use MJ as a tool, and plan to use my time and art for profit, not pleasure. For pleasure I paint mini figures. Now if the purpose of your art is just to express yourself to “let it all out” - sure. That’s still a purpose.

[@DrFranq]

I'm not an artist. I'm 45, struggling with midlife crisis, I feel less than the sum of my parts. Still, I feel it is so critical for anyone to balance create vs. consume. Thank you for sharing yourself, inspiring me, and helping me get out of bed today.

[@Honeydoyou]

You’re describing the alienation of capitalism

[@thepracticalgymnast8001]

HIGHY RECOMMEND trying some art man, all that pain you’ve endured, what a waste to not express it! You are blind to the absolute splendor and beauty of creation, please try it, music, drawing, dancing, who cares as long as a it’s a form of expression. I myself have major (medicated) depression, severe (medicated) anxiety, and an eating disorder, the immense agony of day to day life is only worthwhile because i can express it, i hope you can find your medium.

[@agaspversilia]

My advice is... start painting. Painting saved my mind

[@DrFranq]

@@agaspversilia thank you very much.

[@DrFranq]

@@thepracticalgymnast8001 thank you very much for your recommendation, as a kid I remember art being a part of my life, I need to reconnect with myself, my past, my shames and fears, to do so.

[@Romanticism_]

Thank you so much, I guess you saved my creative self. I haven't drawn in WEEKS and I started to lose interest just because I spent hours and hours mindlessly scrolling KZbin and Reddit instead of creating stuff. Again, thank you very much

[@TheHighwaymanC-wo7dc]

I like your pfp

[@Romanticism_]

@@TheHighwaymanC-wo7dc Thanks n.n I've had it since 2021 lol, if I haven't changed it already it's because I'm lazy

[@TheHighwaymanC-wo7dc]

Lol understandable

[@owlbabeart]

Achieve flow... Huh. I really like that. It's much better than "oh man I need to finish an art piece," etc. But instead, shifting the goal to get into a flow state, rather than finishing something, it brings me better feelings. I'm sharing this with all of my classmates at the sjsu animation program! We're all incredibly burnt out and lost in trying to find our own creative identity. Thank you so much for you insightful thoughts~

[@blubberfish189]

You captured the feelings I've been struggling with for the past couple years really well-- the anxiety and burnout in regard to art have made my identity crisis that much more confusing,,, When you said "drawing should feel better than all of that", it felt like my eyes had been opened again. If art feels like a chore or is painful, then I'm simply putting pencil to paper for the sake of feeling like I'm DOING something, and not having the right mindset/headspace to create things I actually care about. I definitely need to implement your advice into my own process. Thank you for making this video! One thing I'd like to share: from my own experience, using the "watch later" function is a blessing and a curse. I can bookmark stuff I want to see at a later time, but there isn't a limit on how MANY videos I save. The number of random topics that ended up in my watch later far exceeded the stuff I actually ended up watching haha,,, Another consequence of procrastinating said list meant that the longer they sat there, the less I felt the need/desire to watch it. Kinda like when I lose the desire to buy something after keeping it in my cart for long enough😅 To anyone else who also struggles with procrastinating, I recommend keeping your "watch later" list clear. My personal limits/criteria are whether or not I'm going to watch the video within the next 30 minutes or so, and if the video itself is just satisfying my curiosity or actually informative/helpful.

[@lightlawliet3526]

yeah the watch later curse is real. i have stuff saved from five years ago lol

[@YenNguyen-qj1mo]

the watch later curse is SO real 😭 hell, ive had to make multiple playlists (which are all only slightly organized) because im worried ill hit a maximum video count but i wont know until far later

[@flamingaish]

i had to make 3 other watch later playlists (exceeded the 5000? limit of og) and i still haven't viewed any of them. i just wanna delete them tbh

[@user-ri7wz7rveus4r]

I kid you not have 5k+ watch later vdeos and like 1k of them are vtuber related stuff and im definitely not ready to clear all my watchlaters but also don't have in me to delete all that wout watching them

[@blubberfish189]

@@user-ri7wz7rveus4rOof,,, fr tho the clips in my recommended wind up in the watch later, only to be forgotten for the next month or so, when I actually get around to just binging them LOL If it helps, it's likely just fomo preventing you from deleting them. That's what I realized, anyhow. But there will always be too much content so I don't bother keeping up anymore 😅

[@SpaceChannelJules]

I think this is so important for anyone who participates in fandom. It’s easy to lose your identity in the things you like, but at some point it will hit you that all you’re doing is consuming what other people have made. Which isn’t inherently wrong, but if you have a desire to create it can be frustrating and disappointing to realize that. This past year was when I had that realization personally. I still love fandom, but I’ve been really pushing myself to work on original stuff, for my own sanity. I don’t want my life to be solely defined by the games/shows I like…

[@elusivemayfly7534]

This is a Godsend for me. I’m a 40-year-old woman stalled on a novel that is almost done. After the existential crisis of the “panny,” I realized I could feel satisfied with the life I’ve lived and been given, except for one thing. I need to finish that book. Between normal job and life commitments and some chronic health stuff, being distracted on social media basically eats the time and energy I need to write. It gets my brain and emotions all jacked up in various ways, so I “fast” from it periodically. But it also enables me to learn, connect, and enjoy good people, ideas, and art around the world. Your incredible thumbnail art and title snapped me to attention, and I’m grateful for the time, work, care, and intuition you put into this video. I’ve subscribed and am excited to see the art and ideas you share next 😊

[@Blue-mj5gm]

I am also finishing a novel. Let's DO THIS. We are going to complete this, the story that only we could've written, and we're going to be satisfied. (Or at least I hope so, because I've been waiting for years to finish my story and finally be satisfied 😅)

[@elusivemayfly7534]

@@Blue-mj5gm YES!! We WILL do this! Thank you for the encouraging message ❤️

[@keayart]

Damn, for a good couple decades I kept asking myself "what do I REALLY want to do with my life?" with no substantial compass, but your sentence of what would make me "feel satisfied with the life I’ve lived and been given" just blew my mind switching to a top-down/future senior perspective and suddenly my values/priorities are plain as day. Thank you

[@elusivemayfly7534]

@@keayart I am so thrilled to hear this! I’m really happy that sharing a bit of my journey sparked that insight. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. ❤️ “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!” - Henry David Thoreau

[@itsukori609]

This is exactly what i needed to hear. Ive been struggling with keeping motivation for my art for YEARS. The last time i truly experienced flow was when i was 13. Im 24 now. I want to badly to figure out what i enjoy drawing again and rekindle my love for the process of drawing instead of constantly being impatient and frustrated with myself. Sincerely, thank you so much

[@sarahrose9944]

Read “The Artist’s Way”, if you haven’t already! I think mid 20s is the perfect time to reconnect to your inner artist :)

[@PurrpleYam]

Relate to this comment so much! Especially since I want to make art my job as someone who was a previous hobbyist, it has been a long time since I've truly enjoyed making art. I do feel that changing slowly

[@bugorchard]

I've been going through this exactly. And it's even worse being aware of it and just feeling like I'm incapable of breaking free. I love art, passionately. I have characters I genuinely adore and stories I want to tell, but when I go to express them I stop short. It's so much easier to give in to the fear of inadequacy, to see the beautiful things other people make and feel like there's no room for me in the world. Thank you for your video, it's good to know I'm not alone. I hope we all can find a way to move forward 🩵

[@sofia_paliy]

I swear you just described my situation perfectly. Every single word in your comment is so relatable. I'm also trying to "break free" and start doing what I want to do. To tell stories that I want to tell. Good luck to you on your journey! I believe that we can find a way to achieve our goals.

[@filinator33]

You can do it. Don’t let imposter syndrome get ya. Create, publish, repeat. I can also get stuck in doubt but I do know the only way to get past this is to go for it. This video is helping.

[@DrawinskyMoon]

It’s hard when you are continually comparing yourself to others abilities. I am slow as all hell and learning new things hurts my brain so I choose to not try for anything. Which sucks.

[@sekaiouja]

I'm not an artist for a living, but art has been my hobby for as long as I have been able to pick up a pencil, and it just happens that I stumbled on this video. Recently I have been dabbling in fandoms of content creators where the creators themselves engage a lot in fanart (and if you're a lucky enough artist, they will contact you and work with you in official capacities). There are certain are styles that are popular and/or commonly employed there and as more and more of my friends get employed by my favourite creator, I started feeling very depressed and lost sight of who I make art for (myself and my own self-expression), just because I think that I can't seem to ever appease said creator's tastes in art. This appearing on my feed was somehow perfect timing as I was very close to giving up on drawing and it really inspired me to go make the personal art I want to see in the world instead of being hung up on the successes of others or chase the approval of someone much more famous. Thank you so much!

[@pebblepatch95]

I'm really glad I stumbled across this on my KZbin Home page because I think this is exactly what I needed. It was so comforting to hear someone verbalize all of the experiences I've gone through in the past few years. For a while now I've wanted to get back into drawing but it was always so much easier and so much more rewarding just playing video games and consuming other people's content. Thank you for making this video, truly. It's really comforting to know that I'm not alone.

[@VeylmanTheRock]

Fat same

[@robvanhal3356]

Can’t agree more. I for myself have 4-5 different businesses to maintain and still wanna be able draw, play bass guitar, get better at english and do other cool stuff. But as you said, I endet up playing video games, mindlessly watching KZbin or art tutorials. I hope I get my dopamine into place and start doing the things I love, not the ones that are made to be addicting…😢😂

[@alexisbess7644]

As I sit in a hospital room watching my 6 year old falling in and out of sleep while wincing in pain...I needed this video. I thought "oh ill have plenty of time to draw while she recovers from surgery" but I haven't drawn a single thing despite pulling out my sketch book about 9 times a day the last few days. Prior to this situation, everything you spoke of directly related to my half ass art and effort. And right now, while I truly need some inspiration and motivation, I'm really letting all of that sink in. So whether I create while I'm here or not, I'll have this video in my head for good. A video I never would have watched had i not been sitting in a hospital room contemplating hell on earth. Thank you.

[@Stoopy_Aster]

I hope your child is doing well 🩷 have a good day

[@kai__18]

After years of not drawing, because nothing felt like fun anymore, I actually wanted to officially give up yesterday, after diving into the artist community one last time. Now this video popped up. It's not even 24 hours old, I guess the timing of me feeding my algorithm with art realated content one last time, after ignoring it for years, was spot on. Maybe I change my mind, at least this video is a new perspective.

[@Narko_Marko]

could i check out your art?

[@RandomButBeautiful]

distribution is as important as content. never assume that "if you build it they will come". It is 50% building it and 50% putting it in front of people. That and focus on just making every piece better than the last one. :)

[@kai__18]

@@Narko_Marko I appreciate the interest, but I have nothing uploaded anymore at this moment. Still made me happy that you asked, Thanks.

[@Narko_Marko]

@@kai__18👍

[@kai__18]

Also thanks for replying in general. Maybe this helps someone as well, just reading: This video cheered me up a lot, but my depression got me good again and it almost got swallowed and buried under it. The replies made it pop up in my notifications again. Just saying that this also helped to remind me. And once again, at least for this moment, interrupted that vicious cycle. :) I think I will just print out the thumbnail or something and pinn it to my board, so it doesn't get buried again. Also: Wow! qrbits reached so many people with their message, that is amazing! Not emphazising on numbers as a social media succsess comparison thing, just happy so many saw it and maybe felt like me as well.

[@lyzeman]

I find it useful to have two separate channels on KZbin for the same account. One follows the news, sports and think pieces that I lose myself into, while the other follows artists and tutorials and such. It's like a switch that you can flip when you want to be productive.

[@yozegami]

Oof this really hits home. I'm still searching for the kind of art I actually enjoy making. Surely there must be something with an overlap of something that is enjoyable and personal to make, that resonates with others too. Thank you for making this video!

[@Hokubean2]

This was... really awesome. I'm 36, went through art school. Art school is where my art died. I just lost it. I kept drawing because I can't stop but... nothing was great. Still isn't. You made me realize what was wrong and I just wanted to thank you

[@sqweed653]

You know, art that the artist actually cares about, art that's authentic is always the most touching for me. This is the kind of art that has power

[@XxHouranxX]

I'm happy you still included fanart in the pieces you selected as the ones you valued! You touch on it here, and there is some truth to it in the right context, but it's so often presented that doing fanart isn't doing Real Art. If you want to be a professional, you should branch out, absolutely, no arguments at all there. But I LOVE fanart, so this kind of advice often leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I'm professional artist, I've done a wide variety of original and client work, but most of my free time, I draw fanart. It just makes me happy! I love these characters, I love exploring them, noticing little details in their designs, finding the perfect poses for them, telling extra stories with them, etc etc. Sometimes I just have a blast throwing my new fave in a cute dress she'd like. The entire reason I went into selling art at local conventions is because I was already drawing so much fanart already, and I wasn't even posting it online until a couple years ago. These pieces were fun for me, and I still love looking back on them, even if they aren't deep, original portrayals of my inner self. On the flip side, many other people I meet at conventions tell me they don't like drawing fanart, but feel pressured to for engagement/sales. And that's where the problem really is, I think-- when you aren't having fun doing fanart, but you feel like you have to, or you're so used to it you feel like you MUST. At that point you're basically choosing to work a second job, and that's no fun at all! Get out there and pump out some original works, draw what you want! So, really, I do agree with you! It just made me happy to see that you didn't outright dismiss the fanart you did, since I know there's quite a few others who would. For the people who feel pressured into it and don't come at it with a passion, I'm sure it really does feel like Lesser Art, but I think as long as you love what you're making, you're on the right track.

[@okfine4506]

i've been in a sort of art block/haze for the past 1.5 years or so where, even though i think about creating art and new ideas every single day, i just don't have the mental energy to actually pick up a pencil and do it. maybe it's the social media addiction (mainly shorts) that has rotted my brain and left me with minimal motivation to do anything, or the fact that i pushed myself too hard and focused too much on learning the fundamentals and theory surrounding art which made me burn out and lose sight of why i even started drawing in the first place. of course it's still up to me to actually implement what you've said in this video but it is quite reassuring to see someone that was in a similar position actually pulling themselves out of it. so thank you, i really appreciate you making this video.

[@lovesick_adri]

This is something I’m really struggling with right now, so this really hit home for me. Media consumption was a huge coping mechanism of mine for years and now that I’m starting to heal, it’s been a huge struggle to take a step back from it and put my energy into making my life into what I want it to be. I’ll really be taking your advice to heart - especially as a creative who wants to pursue art full time

[@citrus_sweet]

I went through the same thing, drawing for engagement and fanart. It ended when I talked to an artist who was actually successful and who explained to me "yeah people will dislike the stuff you'll make but you should make it for yourself first and foremost and if people like it, cool, if they don't, whatever." His lackadaisical response to community criticism was both worrying and also awe-inspiring. Since, I stopped posting to social media and only to other artists I'm friends with and I draw a lot of nonsense but I enjoy it so much more.

[@n3rdboink]

i've been really fixated on the idea of curating apps for quality so i'm glad you emphasized that! i hear so much about deleting or deactivating on these apps but not training the algorithms to actually give us what we want! it's really important to have power over the content we're consuming

[@CalmClamFam]

Thank you for this. I’ve been struggling with my mindless usage of social media for a long time. I’ve even tried to set a goal named “Focus on creating, not consuming” on a productivity app, but I just keep reverting to old habits.

[@Scarshadow666]

Yeah, same with me too (had tried following some productivity apps, turning to my family to help take my devices out of my hands, and so on and nothing’s really worked). It’s unfortunately affected my sleep quality/schedule too… ^^;

[@orangejuice6360]

thats an awesome title !

[@ak0001-u7g]

We are drowning in the ocean of mostly useless information. Need to learn to live our life by enjoying silence. That is where inspiration is coming from

[@betweentwobooks]

I'm 23 and have been feeling this way so badly since graduating 2 years ago and working full time as a graphic designer for a year. This video was a little oasis. Genuinely, thank you.

[@angelcandelaria6728]

You are ahead of most 😅

[@heroncry638]

This is so helpful!! I’m struggling with doomscrolling a lot, I literally can’t quit KZbin, because if I do I feel anxious and bored instantly. I graduated my regular uni, but I always wanted to become a full-time artist, create beautiful art and stories. And of course I can’t help feeling anxious: what if I don’t really have talent for art (because I haven’t achieved anything even if have been drawing "seriously" since middle school), if I don’t try hard enough I won’t find a job and die (or worse, will have to do something I hate for the rest of my life living in misery), if I don’t draw fan art I won’t get followers and eventually die, even if I draw fan art it doesn’t get any likes so somehow I’m not good enough, oh how could I stand out, my art is so trite, I lack creativity etc. Of course I don’t want to go through it so I keep scrolling. But I know: I love art, I love my drawings, I love my characters, somehow it will work out.

[@jblue2523]

You’re not alone. A lot of people tend to spiral in college and just lose their creativity period, but thank God it sounds like you didn’t lose yours. I would love to see your artwork and any other kinds of art. I just love Art period.❤

[@khvoya2584]

Reading this comment and relating so much... Don't feel alone on this way. We're all here and we're gonna make it♥

[@StudioSessionsPod]

This kind of profound understanding of your self is something some artists take years, even decades to achieve. Deeply impressed and thrilled that other content creators are having honest, open conversations about the war of art. -Matthew

[@itjaked]

Over consumption has been a pretty big problem for me as a creative too. We consume instead of create. Thank you for reminding creatives to not over-consume and for giving advice on how to deal with it. This was a lovely surprise coming from my home page!

[@dominothethird]

For the past few years I've been drawing to please the internet. It led me to burnout, questioning my identity as an artist, without me even registering the problem. This video feels like a slap to the face. Thank you so much

[@leejayxxi8011]

Honestly, I'm relieved that this video was recommended to me because you've described exactly how I've been and how I still am with my art-making. I'm a graduate of 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Digital Art - I'm working two jobs to pay rent and pay off my student debt - right in the middle of that is my desire to create art for myself, I want to make my own narratives, characters and world-build. But finding my own path and my own connection with my creativity has been very difficult. The bombardment I receive from social media gets in the way of my main focus and I end up getting held back every time I start to move forward. It's comforting to see that other creatives go through these exact experiences.

[@StrongFreeLovin]

You singlehandedly saved my art future. I really found so much to do on social media that art seemed boring to me. But I had enough of being dragged by all that there is to see. I did what you suggested and it simply works, no more distractions and mindless scrolling. Thank you Lexin!

[@Ahrysa]

I love the art piece you did to represent this. You definitely captured the shift well. At some point my youtube feed swapped from art accounts to random memes and games. I wasn't scrolling through artists I subscribed to, I was endlessly scrolling the explore page. I used to draw my own things so often but once I got to school, I would draw all day and then just scroll with my left over energy. So much got put into class that I didn't have anything left for anything else.

[@mammybelle7302]

I just mentioned this in another channel. I use to draw, craft and do creative writing, but it all stopped when the computer/ the Atari came into the home back in 1982, it took my focus away and my imagination, i was 12. I would doodle through the years, but I would just throw it away. I'm 53 now and I started a art class last year ( I'm in my second term). I'm enjoying getting back into it and learning and building my confidence, and especially refocusing from gaming and putting it into my art.

[@SuperDogWannabe]

It's interesting. For me, it takes *a LOT* to commit to drawing. So once I finally commit to sit down, it's always a piece I'm in love with. I have to fight with my brain to see it through to the end, and only the ideas I love can make it through that. For me, Id actually like for it to be easier to draw more, which also includes fighting against distractions.

[@nosferdox]

I just started my journey and it takes so much focus and self reflection to be yourself. Especially when you are still finding your path, learning to balance all these new tasks (making videos, posting etc) and I believe the things we love are heavily connected to our childhood. I think there is way too much noise nowadays online and we should not add to the noise but create something special that comes from our hearts. I could write a lot about this topic :D

[@cccheerzzz]

“Early to mid twenty who discovered they can not be longer defined with academic success” OMGGG THAT’S SO TRUE I am an artist, now I am watching this video and recently I discovered that most of my life I was painting/drawings only for studies and work but not as something I really enjoy creating( My university life now is surprisingly not only about grinding grades and question “who am I” was this week discussion with my psychotherapeutic. It's crazy how this video feels on time, thanks for creating it ❤

[@lightmindz]

'The goal is to enter into flow' . Love it. Thank you! What an amazing reflection bringing up so many thoughts and feelings that so many of us can relate to.

[@shiny8238]

thank you so much for this... I graduated uni 2 and a half months ago and struggling to just draw line for myself. As a person always seeked high scores during uni, I felt like a fish out of the sea when my degree was finished.

[@Scarshadow666]

Yeah, recently graduated college too and been feeling kinda aimless afterwards. 0_0

[@bvghosts]

Man, i really really needed this. Ive been stuck in a fanart cycle for years, and always checking social media to see if anyone is noticing me (they arent.) making me feel like i just need to make more popular stuff to get noticed, and eventually that just became the norm and now i cant make anything original. Its so frustrating. I dont even know who i am anymore.

[@zuzu_1]

Like most of the others have said this video randomly showed up, but it was perfect timing. I recently deleted social media aside of KZbin and Pinterest because I’ve been comparing myself a lot more than usual and questioning myself. I want to make art again after years away from it and really identify with my work so this video was helpful and so relatable. Thanks for sharing and encouraging ❤ a fellow artists.

[@everaced]

Gosh this. Posting art and unwillingly tying the response it gets with its value has been so exhausting. I relate so much with your struggles, and wish you all the best!

[@Emily-qx4tf]

I have also deleted social media except these apps u mentioned few weeks ago!

[@ieatkids03]

Pinterest is one of the few apps that I've never had a problem with. It's more 'goal oriented' and is really helpful for inspiration

[@QMyers]

This came to my suggestion at a right time, I had just deleted my tiktok account yesterday on a whim, 76k followers just gone like that. It used to be self indulgent, now everytime i post I feel bitter and just uninspired, it’s so hard for me to get bored because from experience when I’m bored my mind roams free and I’ll explore new concepts and do something new. I decided to start anew, deactivating is not enough, I deleted everything now I’m starting over with a new perspective and reevaluate what content I want to make, I plan to make more longform content, consuming shortform content caused my attention to shortened and I hoping to change that, and I hope that my future content actually generate more meaningful discussion and more community driven, thank you for this video, as a creator, an artist and as a person. I feel seen with this video

[@headlesscentaur]

I never comment but I just wanted to say that I found this video randomly and didn't realize who you were until you showed a timeline of your art and I realized I've literally got three of your posters on my wall. This video was really insightful and extremely relevant to where I am as an artist right now. Thank you for making this and for being an inspiration! :)

[@copycatlyn]

:O

[@molly702]

That’s so cool!!!!😄

[@thealphaoozaru7755]

"I filled my head with other people's creations and when I drew, it didn't feel like mine." That sentence and honestly that entire portions sums up my creativity and is what has been holding me back from creating. I've always been creative but lately I haven't been as creative as I usually am lately. And I discovered this as soon as I started being creative. I just go on Pinterest and save things to boards I never use. Thank you so much for this video, I never see anyone else talking about this and I thank you for putting me down the right path.

[@Blue-mj5gm]

I now see and realise that the art community needed someone to express this. Thank you so much for this video. It's definitely one of my constant struggles.

[@StrawberriBunArt]

I really appreciated this video! I've always been somewhat conscious of my media consumption due to my anxiety, so I also have all my social media curated for art (ex: unfollowing friends due to fomo, reducing unrealistic photos/expectations/facades from instagram, etc) but I've never really done something as thorough as yours. I never knew twitter and youtube could be so filtered like that! As for instagram, I usually repeat what I intend to do in my head before opening, so I remember my task without getting distracted. I'm gonna try more of your methods from now on, it has been super helpful in helping me reflect!

[@cammylamby]

I just graduated art school, and it’s been rough to say the least. I moved back home and I haven’t made anything for myself since. I’ve made money doing commissions but rn I just don’t feel like I have anything important to say with my paintings. It’s been really tough but this has helped a lot.

[@eggoz9764]

This is amazing. You are amazing. I didnt know how much I needed to hear this

[@weaseljay469]

I've watched so many videos like this about how to deal with burnout and the social media dopamine machine and this is the first one that wasn't a waste of time or a bunch of self help buzzwords, but instead actually hit on the specific problem and gave some sound meaningful advice. Thank you!

[@wizard3265]

As an artist this video genuinely helped me so much. Hearing you say that we need to make art to process the world lit a lightbulb in my head and i feel like i understand so much more. You have captured what i've been feeling lately and seeing you express that makes me feel so much better. Thank you for making this video!!!

[@friedeggs1576]

holy shit??? i think this video will change my life so much. thank you so much for making this. I'm currently a high school senior pursuing a career in art, and everything you talked about here felt like a barrage of truth bombs that I've needed to hear for a while now. You put into words thoughts, feelings, and experiences that have been floating around in my subconscious for a while that I've mostly tried to ignore. It scares me a little that when I look back at everything I've made the past few years, almost none of them were the kind of art pieces I actually wanted to make. What an eloquent, well structured, honest, and infinitely helpful video that I'll most certainly come back to in the future.

[@ndwolfwood09]

So true and agreed! Before college, back in elementary thru high school, I would study, play games, read manga, watch anime, and hang out with friends. During college, I wanted to work in either the Video Game or Entertainment field, so I studied and still did everything before getting my degree. After college, it's work and de-stress/relaxing time (video games, manga, anime, social media, and occasionally hangout with friends/co-workers), no more inspiration or lack of drive/goals... careful not to get into this rut... it's a quicksand trap if you get too comfy! Make sure to keep setting yearly goals and a 1, 3, and/or 5 year plan. Otherwise, you'll get complacent and wonder what you did with your life?!

[@mariahjohnson4530]

I needed this. I just cried because this hit me in the feels. It makes me so happy to see you succeed!! You’ve inspired me since art class in high school and you inspire me now. Thank you

[@MageBurger]

I have never before heard “getting rid of social media is moving away from something, but it doesn’t mean you’ll better know what to move toward” As someone who’s been very confused about social media addiction with so many years of online advice that’s made me ultimately repellant towards it, this whole point has finally spoken to my confusions. Social media has in no small way been part of my escape from the insecurity of not knowing what to do next, and I’ve felt a heavy pressure a few times to force my brain to just come up with the next step, even sometimes multitasking thinking in my morning routines and such to make use of the time when activity isn’t so easily available. I like the idea you made of using previous history and ‘successes’ in the form of art that I genuinely valued somehow, whether it be fanart or original art, it puts an anchor of reality to this vague idea of wanting to produce art we personally value.

[@streetough]

I'm 35 and has been struggling with internet addiction since i was your age. Thank you for making this!

[@jdstearman]

I'm a writer, but I've been addicted to consuming media since shortly after 2009. . . I haven't written anything that felt like "me" since . . . 2009. Sure, in college, I've written a lot of papers, and all of them got top marks, but I don't want to write academic/analytical papers my entire life. I want to create unique characters in vivid worlds where stories can flourish and become intermingled between each other-a colossal tapestry of fantastic lore and history. I'm going to rewatch this video and take notes. Then I'm going to implement them as quickly as I can, because I'm so ashamed of what I've allowed myself to become. I have known for a long time that I have to write stories and share them with people; it's my calling in this world. I just . . . have to break this self-consuming cycle I have put myself in, and I have to break it now. Thanks for the video.

[@jackielearnsandteaches]

Interesting… This helped me to realize: I don’t know when I last felt really good about my art. I’ve liked some of the things that I’ve created, but from more of a place of technique and color, or skill with a medium. I’ve been trying to improve as an artist, and feeling the pressure around that, for so long that I can’t remember what really resonates with me. I think the pieces that were meaningful to me involved growth with my skills. Or stories that meant something to me. Characters that meant something to me. I used to love manga, and read so much. I had friends who enjoyed it, too, and encouraged my art in that area. Art class critiques were also great fuel, too, because we’d share ideas and point out what we love about each other’s art. Maybe I need to write a story, and start illustrating. Or even start with some fan art of something that has inspired me…hmm. Good video!

[@brightautistic]

As someone in their mid 30s I still feel like this. Always giving so much of myself to the machine of life and never creating the space for myself let alone creating anything I can be proud of. Thank you for your kind words. and thank you to the YT algorithm for sending me here too!

[@sapphireknight2850]

I don't know how this found my feed at such a perfect time, but it did. This is such a profoundly relatable experience at this point in my life. I'm graduating art school this year, and that prospect is terrifying, because somewhere along the way, I forgot how to want. There are goals of course, but a majority of my time is sucked away by mindless distractions because I can't bare the weight of considering what it is I want. Just this last week I decided to take a break from social media to try and gain some clarity. Thank you so much for putting this out there. I'm sure countless others feel the same way.

[@Collum_]

I've been feeling this for a couple years now but I didn't know how to put it into words. Seriously thank you for this

[@jackcrimson5223]

This advice helps so much. I've been having the same problem and was searching for solutions, but most videos turn into "doom scrolling." Almost everyone addressing these problems stirs the audience, then leave without offering a solution. I'm not an artist, but thank you for sharing your story! You're awesome for that

[@Emmprove]

I just wanna say the thumbail for this video keeps reinspiring me to get off my phone & get back to learning how to draw. Thank you for sharing : )

[@aadipie]

Only a minute in but I can tell this was made with so much heart, I want to see more from you as a fellow artist

[@zaneberry]

Im only a few minutes in but thanks for making this video -- Im a filmmaker and run a channel called tall skeleton, and last year after finishing 3 of my biggest most proud works I took a break, and then I think I lost myself and this year has been a slow process re-learning how to enjoy time with myself again and making things. I think even consuming content got to be unfulfilling so even just remembering how to enjoy that has been a whole thing. but now my originals artform and love drawing has been making me feel so inspired again and Im really excited to get back to filmmaking and video making, and ive made more talking about life videos like this one this year as a hobby and its been nice. your thumbnail drawing is really great

[@Happysewist]

This is an important video to watch. I am of a generation that was well into adulthood before there were computers, phones that were not just an instrument to talk to others, actually computers themselves. I remember when my youngest son showed me how one could watch movies on one’s phone! This was 6years ago. I am also an artist and had already had a lifetime of having art be my go to for dopamine and feelings of living a rich life. But even a little exposure to KZbin etc. caused me to read fewer books, do less art, not seek out friends IN PERSON. So I can only imagine (in fact I witness this in person with my two sons who I had in my 40s who are now in their late 20s)how difficult it is to put that phone down. A more serious consequence, though off topic for this conversation, is social media used as a political propaganda megaphone thus dividing us as a society in a way that could bring this country down.

[@BossLevelPro]

I'm 36 with a budding channel and a day job as an accounting supervisor. I stopped the video at "who even am I" to comment. I think that says something. Good vid, genuine, articulate. I'll continue watching now, as I do laps around my campus and think about my future. 🤔🤷✌️

[@ksivl1690]

I love how you've expressed both sides so realistically. That need to fulfill your passion and create what is personal to you, but as well as balancing things like fanart, trends, and rewiring our brains for healthier social media use rather than cutting it out completely. I think this will reach a lot of people.

[@HazardKay]

This video is one of the best on this platform - super helpful. Thank you so much.

[@TyroneAugusto]

24 seconds in and the pain sinks in. I know whole heartedly where this is going to go and I feel like everyone in the world is being consumed. Stay strong Kings and Queens

[@joelgrebinsilvestri]

As a psychologist i find this very interesting and important as social media are going worst and worst in content and we cant stop scrolling, getting information and thats take out all or power as creators and also you tend to compare to others which it is also really bad so thanks for this video! we need to create more and consume less this apply in any field of life

[@Patriet]

Never knew how overwhelmed I was until 1:30 into this. I feel like I lost the ability to make stuff for myself. Like I got so use to making stuff for others that I lost my creativity when it comes to making stuff for myself. Like I don’t know what I want to make for myself that makes me happy.

[@colbymullenix9140]

It’s been nearly a year since I graduated college with associates in graphic design AND Illustration, and I haven’t been able to get much of anything of worth done and posted. I’m honestly in a bit of a rut. Been considering taking a breather from social media for the following months to focus more on art, and to do life things I’ve been holding off on for some time. Gonna be sure to take this video as inspiration on how to get through things.

[@allychristiansen]

I’ve been reading the book The Artist’s Way and what you said reminds me a lot of what I’ve been reading in it. I’m a singer but this is all still really relevant. I like the idea of looking at old stuff to see what really resonates!

[@hutaotao3266]

This is exactly how I’ve been feeling and learned in the past few months as a student who quit art a few years ago to focus on grades. This sort of turbulent feeling has only extremified when my mental health was suffering from stress and loneliness. I believed that maybe reading and absorbing myself in other worlds would help, and they somewhat did but nothing keeps me excited every morning and thinking about all day, than working on an art project. I had no idea this was an issue other creatives dealt with. Luckily I am on my journey back to enjoying art :) good luck to everyone!

[@Lomxia]

I feel like we all know we shouldn't constantly consume but we all get lost in it anyway. I'm a game developer and artist and i have to say its been tough to be keep working on the game and not feel a little out of touch with whats going on online. This video is a nice reminder to focus on what we love to do. After all one of the most satisfying things is to look at a finished project (or a part of it) and being proud of ourselves c:

[@ey3mzzzs]

This video has shared pretty insightful points, thank you for sharing this!

[@Furrniks]

This is such an incredible video, because I feel like it would be useful for people who don’t draw and do arts too. The problem of being washed away by social media and not doing something yourself has became more relevant to pretty much everyone regardless of what they do. Social media is intentionally making their stuff more and more addicting so it’s hard to get off it. This video is useful to everyone even if it’s dedicated towards artists. Thank you for making this video 🙏.

[@soficagnolatti]

"Real world is the best food for artists" ❤I'm struggling with social-media anxiety, so I really needed this video, thank you!!

[@caspers._.corner]

I’m only in high school, and I’m at the point where I’m really trying to figure out what I want to do as a career. There’s nothing I love more than art class, drawing, and art. Honestly, I couldn’t live without it. It pulled me out of deep dark corners going through cancer treatment. I got pulled into social media, I started playing video games, and now I’m telling myself I should draw more but I’m not. I like getting comfy on the couch, and watching some crunchyroll or KZbin while I draw, but I always end up scrolling KZbin or tik tok or Instagram for hours just looking for something to watch in the background. I never even considered media to be the problem until now. I want to be an artist more than anything, but I know I need to dedicate my everything into art if I want to do that. I’m genuinely sure that I can, but can I resist distraction? I’m going to draw as soon as I’m done typing this. I’m going to sit at a desk, not a couch. I’m going not going to look for hours on end for a KZbin video or inspiration. Im just going to let my mind out onto a page, something I’ve needed to do for a while. Thank you

[@Rynergee]

I think I manifested this video OMG! I'm stuck and haven't been productive for a month. All I was doing is watching YT and movies even though I quit social medias like twitter or ig. Thanks girl. I really need this

[@jiffpom2684]

It's funny. It's the best time to be an artist right now, yet the tools at our disposal are also the things that stifle our creativity. I needed this video, so glad it came to me.

[@adriekatsumi1802]

Thank you so much, you articulated what I've been feeling since pandemic, these tips will really help a lot.💜

[@bigrplayer4070]

Love the idea of reflecting on past artwork. My mind always goes back to certain time period where I was really in the process and enjoying it - but more on like oh, I remember, rather then unpacking the whole time period and trying to grab inspiration into the present. Wonderful idea - ty for this video, much appreciated!

[@mandeesman7889]

0:11 that open got my attention 😮

[@wholesomesimon]

This was amazing Lexin!

[@qrbitsart]

thanks simon! ^^

[@crackedfang]

i hate it when a good movie is over and you realize your life will never be that exciting.

[@EightBitNoise]

Hey; KZbin dumped this into my feed. I stream/show-run for myself (hobby) and work professionally where I need the focus and limiting scope present. I've really appreciated your thought process. Trying to figure out how to have a healthy relationship with social media is something I'm working on. Additionally, I've been figuring out the rest of my laundry list, Bojo journaling for task management, ADHD in while in Higher Education, Selfcare. Again, thank you for this solid grounding advice; it is refreshing.

[@Саповок]

You can't even imagine how important this video is for me...for the past two weeks I've been constantly thinking I spend too much time on social media.. Sometimes it could get so bad I wasn't able to look at something else but my phone only. I've noticed that art has become something lazy to do for me, even though it was my highest priority my whole life. Staying creative and finding what you really want to create is my goal as well now. (Also practicing and studying for future job ehhh, phone usually distracts me from this kind of activity as well :(( ) Btw, your words about the "flow" were so accurate!! Sometimes I also find myself just drawing in a silence and think "wow, I can do that?" Anyway, thank you so much for this video. It really touches my soul and inner thoughts❤ keep up with art and may this path be only a pleasure for you✨

[@alexandrac591]

I really needed this, thank you

[@maybeimthecaps]

Im a lost artist/animator from Russia and I thank you that you put your time and effort to make this video. I feel exactly the same and I havent been able to express it properly for years. Your video will be required to be rewatched several times

[@yamisa8059]

How are things in Russia?

[@nekosenpai3166]

I wanna learn animation but my studies are holdin me back

[@talesong]

As a writer and musician... who also loves art, and baking, and... you get the picture... this was the *perfect* video at the *perfect* time! I've been having difficulties with procrastination, as well as guilt over a past project I really loved but didn't feel "right" yet. And weeks turned into months, which turned into years. I've been working on chipping away at the growing distractions and mental clutter, so this gave me some steps to take right away with my online time! Today I picked up my shelved project again for the first time. I really look forward to finding that flow state again. 💖

[@luv9397]

This video made me start full on sobbing. I havent been able to enjoy art as of late cause im trying hard to get a good portfolio ready for college. Im like a juggler ttying to juggle school, art, extracurricular’s and so much more, but it’s so hard to handle this type of responsibility. Every time i tried to draw this summer, i had a half panic attack about college. Theres so much to do, so little time and literally so many things i should have done. This video just makes me greive. I want to enjoy the proccess so bad, i want to like making art again. But its like ym anxiety has a chokehold on me, to the point where when im just doodling i feel like i should be designing grandious peices for my portfolio.

[@shawhit8155]

Love the focus, rather than turning away from something bad, turning _toward_ something good. In my business we call this the BBO, the Bigger Better Offer. Visualizing, imagining, and focusing on where we want to be (and finding communities where others feel the same) is more rewarding, and maybe more effective, than brute discipline. A lovely video. KZbin would be a better place if the videos were more like this. Thank you for sharing.

[@testeteste811]

My biggest problem is the AI stuff... i fell like dying every time.

[@seabonnie3936]

Yeah the AI stuff sucks. It honestly gets kinda discouraging when I go on pinterest and see a bunch of AI art with cool character designs, meanwhile I struggle to come up with my own. But I like to tell myself that whatever I create is done because I enjoy it and that I put my own passion and style into what I do, unlike AI that just kinda rips stuff from the internet. Even if what I create isn't good, it's still done with more thought and care than someone who just types some words into a program and presses "generate".

[@asscheeks3212]

I dont want to complain about AI because it's a tool, I believe in some way it set a standard for artists and that we need to improve ourselves, afterall AI steals and combines the stuff they steal, but we can definitely do better then that, we can do that but even better.

[@testeteste811]

@@asscheeks3212 the big problem is the tech bros, ai models (that use artist content without permission) and the industry that just want money.

[@asscheeks3212]

@testeteste811 the beauty of the internet is that its made up of people that can sense what is genuine and what is not. One example as one fear we used to have is NFTs taking over the market, which never happened, everyone call them out and now 90% of NFTs out there is worthless. Ai generated art can always be told apart from the real thing. I'm not scared at all. If we fail, we only have ourselves to blame for not putting the word out.

[@RandomButBeautiful]

​@@asscheeks3212 all art steals. did you ask permission to take the minerals out of the earth for your paints? ;)

[@StaticKayK-z2c]

I have so many questions, and I don't want to be the annoying person asking all the same questions you get asked about your art over and over again. Beautiful work!!! I feel this need for creativity in my bones as well. Trying to overcome the lack of confidence and the struggle to keep going. Thank you for sharing yours. It brings me hope!!

[@hupteisso2292]

This video was really enjoyable and calming, seeing this process and tips really calms my mind and gives me passion for art, thank you so much