What only seeking validation and approval did to me

I made this video as a response to Samuel smith's Instagram post, which you can find here:
/ cq_zykndmjq
Samuel Smith's work:
/ samuelsmith.art
00:00 INTRO
00:45 Post in question
02:16 My early days from school
02:48 Calarts, Forman Animation training, beyond
04:22 Ambitious Project
05:42 Relationship to my work
07:21 Relationship to other people
09:00 Relationship with productivity
09:52 Relationship with social media
11:08 Constantly seeking approval
22:54 Is seeking approval and validation bad?
12:38 Final Thoughts
The Complete Introduction to 2D Animation
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Main Website: www.tonikopantoja.com/
Twitter: / tonikopantoja
Instagram: / tonikopantoja
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Equipment I use:
Drawing Tablet: Wacom Cintiq 22HD: www.wacom.com/en/products/pen...
Software I use:
Animation - TVPAINT
Animation - Adobe Flash/Animate CC, ToonBoom
Compositing - After Effects
Painting and Illustration - Photoshop
Video Editing - Premiere
3D - BLENDER

[@rollingdowntheblvd]

Whenever I look at my work, the stuff that I create without caring what people think about it/being unaware of an audience... is always my best work. Thank you for the reminder, I needed this today

[@nearsightedtanuki]

YES! Mine as well! I’ve done an experiment and the things I draw solely for myself are tremendously better than my work made for my art account.

[@senihani6634]

Same goes for me too.

[@Trickate]

Honestly, this is exactly what most artists need to see. People often get burned out because of constantly trying to please the audience :(

[@MegaDarkR]

L L

[@WolfArtizan]

I have dealt with this alot before too. I've been doing digital art for 5 years, and have been pushed into mental breakdowns because of the pressure, i still feel guilty for not posting when I really should let youtube go. it feels like Social media will always have the potential to harm you.

[@tai0purto]

I've struggled with that "people only wanna talk to me because I draw, this is my identity, they don't think I'm worthy of speaking to" for so many years. I totally understand where it's coming from. Thanks for sharing those thoughts

[@pinkiepurplez]

I like validation, but I hope it doesn't blind me from making myself improve.

[@inhuman_human6790]

The only way you don’t make it blind yourself is to FOCUS on yourself. Don’t draw the art for people. Draw it and improve for yourself. Recognition will inevitably follow, but it’s called ✨YOUR PASSION✨ for a reason not OTHER’S RECOGNITION

[@pinkiepurplez]

@@inhuman_human6790 Thank you for your wisdoms, SPEKZ! Appreciate it!

[@inhuman_human6790]

@@pinkiepurplez no problem my brother/or sister. Good things will come to you🙏🏾✨

[@buttercupkat]

"The only approval you should seek is that from yourself and the morals inside of you." - Me, 2021

[@rnknvisuals]

After I had one animation meme do well on social media, it consumed me for years. And its bitter sweet for me, because on one hand I'm proud of the impact it had on the community and that I finally had something blow up and receive praise, but on the other it discouraged me from working on anything else and growing. I began to resent it and grew annoyed when people would even mention it. I stopped reading comments entirely and I stopped interacting with my viewers. I felt like I had gained millions of eyes on me, but they didn't really know 'me'. They knew this one thing I did that just happened to do well. So whenever I made anything, it had to be like that 'thing' or it wasn't going to give me that fresh validation. So ultimately I burnt out and quit because I wasn't making anything that really came from my heart, it was all about the viewers and the toxic image I created of them in my head. (In reality most of my viewers were wonderful, but I was blinded by my insecurities) Nowadays I work a full time video/design job and practice art on the side for myself. It's taken me years to truly get over all this and accept it since I do still want to make stuff that inspires others and receives praise; but I'd want it to be over something I'm truly passionate about and can stand behind, something that communicates an honest message. Something that is more 'me'. When you make something that isn't you and it becomes your identity, its devastating. But its a lesson I'm glad I was able to learn early on.

[@ebiosh2032]

social media is like a beast humans just cant tame. its like, sometimes its so cool to have a pet tiger but then you have to deal with having a tiger. your experience resonates so well with me and ive still not restarted social media after deleting it (for the second time). definitely want to focus on making heart felt artwork and find alternative ways to share it..maybe ill go back at some point but the numbers game is brutal!! good on you bro

[@Faelyke]

"If you only look at the number, you will only be disappointed."

[@1yndingdong92]

"if you wanna make art and animation a passion, you'll also have to learn to make it fun for yourself and learn how to make fun of yourself with it" Totally relate to this and having left the animation industry for over a year now, I've found myself naturally gravitating back to drawing and animating just because I want to. Personally, I define a healthy relationship with art as one where your art needs to serve you just as much as you might want to serve it.

[@ghadlydevastated2067]

I'm still in highschool (going on my senior year) and I'm having so much trouble getting validation in social media. No one looks at my art and most of my artist friends has thousands of followers while I get only a measly hundred. I am fitting into spaces where I feel I should belong in and I feel trash for not being enough or my art is just too awful that no one notices it. So recently, I am in a bad loop of self-loathing that I hated drawing. I despised art and I just burned my sketchbook yesterday. I don't know what path I'm going and in my country, pursuing arts means you're trying to starve yourself and damn your life (my relatives think so and they're the type where only being a doctor or engineer can make you successful). So I thank you for making this video. It helped me kind of decide to stop doing art for now, diving into my other passions like writing and care more about other things. If art becomes back in my life, I will try learning to love it again. Again from a random stranger on the internet, thank you.

[@pinkiepurplez]

I am also a high schooler and hope you can find the path to a career of joy and stability 👍

[@inhuman_human6790]

Dang that’s the first time I heard someone burn their sketch book lol. Sorry for laughing I just didn’t know some people hate their art THAT much. Creation + Enjoyment = Passion my friend. Whatever path you go on, I pray it brings you peace and joyful vibes. God bless you

[@ghadlydevastated2067]

@@inhuman_human6790 Looking back on it, it was indeed funny. That was so impulsive and dumb to do I wish I didn't burn it lol. Most of my proudest watercolor art was in there and I did not bother taking a pic of it lmao. Though I can assure you, my mind is in a better place now. Writing my thoughts helps out a lot and doodling in a random notebook is more fun than making rendered illustrations.

[@inhuman_human6790]

@@ghadlydevastated2067 that’s awesome sis🤩I’m very happy that you recovered so quickly. Writing is VERY good for the mind and I’m joyful that you went down that path. Sometimes minimalism is best for the mind. Like sometimes after I draw something big, I just draw little doodles after. That way I don’t burn out and go insane. But now you know better not to do such things again. Again I’m thankful that you recovered so quickly. Resilient people are the strongest people, so you’re a very strong person. Keep your head up high and I believe one day you’ll prove your family wrong and be who you want to be AND be financially successful. God bless you and I love you(as a sister)😊🙏🏾✨

[@Aeiouaaaaaaaaa]

@@ghadlydevastated2067 I hope you’re doing better now and that you’ve found something that you love doing! Social media algorithms do not favor most creators at all, there are so many professionals with little to no social media presence because building an audience is so difficult even with a lot of skill. I’ve been in that kind of place where I got really concerned over the numbers, but nowadays I rarely post unless I really want to and I enjoy making art now much more than I used to.

[@ShemoKam]

This has been my new year resolution; to stop posting art online and try to love art again. ngl, I started feeling like I "NEED to post again" last week just because 6 months already passed & I thought "my followers want to see my posts" and that just proves its takes A LOT of time to rewire your brain to stop the social media artist mindset 😂 I've been painting for myself, its fun, I have a lot of pieces I could post online but Im commited to my 2021 goal, my accounts may be dead but Im happier 😊 Thanks for posting this video, it made me feel at ease knowing a lot of instagam artists feel the same way 💜

[@Soldiershak]

This is actually why I don't watch any of those "you need to do this to be a successful artist vids" I do whatever the hell I feel like doing. I've actually struggled with this a few years back outside of art. I was trying to make others happy at the cost of myself -childhood trauma coping etc. So I will say my "do whatever the hell I want" attitude took time to develop, this is not saying that it's wrong to be considerate of others, but you have to be authentic with yourself and the reality is that most people just don't care in any meaningful way either way.

[@Mentalbox52]

This is actually a huge problem with scratch. EVERYONE is addicted to the approval of others.

[@wistfuloptimist1238]

Wdym, scratch?

[@ottertoons]

I recently had to delete all my social media apps because i realized i compare myself way to much and it ruins my confidence and motivation. I constantly made fanart to get notice by CC and would get a bit jealous of others who got recognized when I didn’t. But when I did I was on cloud 9. I have felt so much better without the pressure of social media on me! And i’m trying to fix my mindset. Great advice

[@ReginaldMilesG7]

just got out of high school here. Honestly I can Relate to this quite a bit nowadays I’ve been trying to seek some kind of Validation for my artwork,not really from social media but more from freinds and such and even asking for feedback so I can get better. Problem means it’s just hasn’t been working out they usually just don’t give me any feedback or really say anything about my art, which that and me being rather self-conscious about my artwork and being nowadays when the main things identify list it’s kind of just weighed hard on recently. especially since I’ve been trying to get certain projects off the ground that I’ve just haven’t gone anywhere with. Either way I’m just glad you talking about this I think I just personally need to Just focus on doing more things for me, admittedly some of the art I was doing was partly for me but at the same time it kind of felt like I was doing it out obligation if anything else.

[@playcebovision5319]

SO I have the same anxiety about not working enough, and taking huge breaks, but NOT because I want approval from others, but because I feel like as an artist I should be churning more work out personally. Like, it baffles me when a trailer for a new game shows up and within the HOUR fan artists have made tons of fan art. Like, HOW?!?!??! It takes me ages to finish anything

[@charlesdoeseverything9716]

KZbinr and scientist Mark Rober only makes about 5 videos every year. I guess since there's not pressure to upload a video every single day, the videos can be worked on more and their quality can rise. Kinda like art, if you know what I mean. The quicker you pressure yourself try to finish it and put it out, the quality could be less apparent then what it would be if you spent more time on it.

[@AdaptiveReasoning]

2020 is what made me give up on social media. I got some moderate early validation when I was younger, but life happened to me hard, and I couldn't catch up to what I needed to be to obtain any validation. I still would love a win, but I ran out of energy to fight an algorithm, myself, and listen to a multitude of more popular strangers and their problems when there was nobody to hear mine. So I downsized my presence heavily and started to work on stuff without posting at all. Still trying to figure out why I'm here and how to spend my limited energy. But at least I have slightly more to go around now that I'm a bit more out of the loop. (Art Twitter can be exhausting, lol.)

[@Churlz]

That's a huge mood

[@skiedev]

I was the same way. Gave up or deleted all my creative accounts. It started to feel like all of my art was supposed to go towards political, social, world problems. The characters and stories or even vent art that genuinely came from me by me...was now supposed to always go towards a 'thing's that was for others. It was my personal time but if it wasn't going towards others problems I was now a 'bad' person simply for doing my own thing with my own account. It was all just too much.

[@RubykonCubes3668]

Yes. This. For myself, i also abandoned in 2017 a manga i was making for 3 years. I ... I just expected it to have a better reception than some sonicthehedgehog and mlp:fim fanart. Needless to say my dissapointment was unmeasurable aswell.

[@deevbunnyan3742]

People liked my 3D models, but I knew they could be better, and they are getting better... Much better!

[@marinazhang4395]

Me: listening to this without visuals Toniko: "Go follow Sam Smith" Me: ...huh?

[@paolaanimator]

Honestly I only made social media to upload art/animation but I always felt like I'm not good enough or not learning fast enough compared to other artists. It didn't help that I was addicted to video games so I didn't practice as much back then. I was also hard on myself with low self esteem. I want to be a 3D artist/animator so these took longer to make. I had really low self esteem to the point I stopped posting and have a hard time making art when I dislike my own work. Only recently I am doing better, exercise, resting, thinking more positive thoughts help a lot, less gaming and more practice. I don't post everyday, I only like to post progress on social media and then just focus on myself to improve. I hope that I will improve more quickly.

[@vickisigh2674]

thank you so much for making this video, i relate so strongly to everything you talked about. i’ve never seen these thoughts expressed so honestly before in the online artist space. it’s not easy to admit these sorts of things since the brain can sometimes label them as personal shortcomings. but i think there’s a lot of strength in being able to own up to not so glitzy and glamorous parts of online popularity/excess of external validation. that it often comes with a deficit in other important areas of our lives that we need in order to feel….alive, whole, and content.

[@themilennialmilllepede7994]

I think this is because of our culture, society and civilization. We live in a culture where people expect you to please them over yourself. People in our society tell you to do things that make them happy while taking away things that make you happy as punishment (no TV for a week!) or giving them stimuli they don't like scolding, spanking and so on) so in my mind this isn't the result of the individual its a sign that our culture is too bent on forcing others to do as expected because "I can do it why can't you? You're so lazy! You don't try!" blah blah blah. We also tend to ridicule others for not living up to one's expectations as well when it comes to art. We drive perfectionism to dangerously toxic high levels in our culture. I think it's because we have this desire to conform others to the will of "authority" due to their own manipulation of others who drove them seek out validation and approval of others for the same reason. A toxic cycle that we need to break.

[@Dak_Artz]

Honestly, what I needed to hear, It's really hard for me to create stuff wanting an audience, and wanting to grow more, wanting to post everyday although that's not possible. Whilst also hating majority of my stuff. As well as wanting to make stuff, but having no ideas. hearing your videos as of lately help me try and look at art through a different lens though. So thank you for that!

[@bruisewort]

when you post something online and barely get recognition for it but regardless it doesn't feel like you lost your dignity and self-esteem, that's a sign that you love your craft so much your own "unpopular" but closer-to-heart work doesn't let you down. although it still sucks to think of all the times i wasted on sulking about how i'm "not good enough" instead of using said-time to improve my skills, i'm glad i even learned this lesson even when it has to be the hard way :)

[@toani8056]

Toniko!!!! That talk was really great. I definitely found myself in that situation as well. Especially connecting with others and finding true friends. Voicing your honest heartfelt opinion, or hesitation.. Or what am I without animation? Did I ever work on my personal life outside of art? I could be less than a normal person if you take away animation and achievements. So that's why this talk is important, and why fresh artists may seek validation and put themselves through crippling situations. The reasons are endless. To each their own. I think it's a life-long journey of self-discovery and what each person truly wants to do with their crafts. For me personally, it's definitely becoming a master of my own animations and thirst for knowledge and techniques! It could even be escapism, boredom, and lame reasons to really do what I do to be very honest. Sometimes, after committing this far, I even had the thought "did I really want to be an animator? Or is it the only thing I was extremely skilled at and can't quit at this point, so it's the only path for me?". I ended up saying to heck with it all and deleted my previous social media. Chased an anime job to start fresh and begin a new journey that was 'my own'. As for when you had trouble bucketing on Toonboom, I'm pretty sure that's because you might've accidentally cleaned some lines on the wrong art layer (Colour art layer), there's a shortcut many new toonboom users hit by accident during work, I forget the hotkey. It's a common issue. Your videos are great! I support you regardless of what you make or do! Your early tutorials in the past were the brain blast I needed early on. So you've won my loyalty a long time ago! Validation or not :P

[@stratovolcano7813]

This is a really interesting topic because I think it’s something a lot of people get sucked into without realising how unhealthy it is. You can trick yourself into thinking making art for popularity/the algorithm makes you better, because learning how to appeal to the masses is almost a skill in itself. It’s funny that this is almost the opposite idea to imposter syndrome but it’s still rooted in similar feelings of inadequacy. In the end, a balance is better etc.

[@FloatingSunfish]

Whenever you do something subjective, make sure you do it for fun. If it works, great! It fails, at least you had fun.

[@PigmanMovie]

I can definitely relate, back when I'm about to create a series when I was about 14 in 2019, called The Lost Bunny (which is a failed project) I was hungry for validation, so I just go to Friends and instead of creating a relationship thru interactions, most of the times I just talk about My work, and just shove My creation to Their faces, They appear "supportive" tho I might have annoyed Them a bit looking back now, but that doesn't matter to Me back then, all I care about is the validation, looking back now, I was kinda a narcissist back then. Fast forward to March 2020, I released My new series "Tiny Head adventure" and I was picturing this as My masterpiece, and the "I'm going all out" piece. But hype got turn to disappointment, the negative was soo high that I was caught off-guard, and that create stress, and the more stress I have, the more bad decisions I make, before in the middle of 2020, I ask Myself, Why am I making so many bad decisions? And I decided to just spend less time on the internet, and just focus on Myself for a bit. Fast forward to present day, I rebooted "Tiny Head Adventure" with less ambition, not a lot of great animation, but it is mostly focused on the Storytelling aspect, and most People and Me really like it, of course it's not perfect, and it will never be, but I find Myself more happier working on My project with less pressure, disconnecting Myself from the internet help Me a lot. A hard lesson I learn is that just caring about validation is not good, and at the end will hurt You when that validation doesn't come, Your shouldn't based Your personality solely on just Your work, because it's not healthy, and for Me, it means that My whole personality feel threaten when somebody criticize My work, There's a lot more to life than just work, And the last lesson that I learn, don't expect to find a meaningful relationships just by making good work.

[@sapphictoad4842]

This definitely helped me realize how much I pressure myself in animation and digital art, everytime you post a video it always feels like im talking to someone who relates and have the same struggles I have. It's always a treat hearing your voice dabble into the problems of someone who's trying to progress forward. Thank you, and also hopefully you're taking care of yourself too

[@frostbitex23]

Before when I entered the world of art, I didn't cared much about social media, likes or that crap. I was just living my own pace and growing on my own but... ... suddenly, I ended up getting flak just because I draw slowly and I don't follow the trend of "popular art", that was followed by having someone's rapid growth and achievements being rubbed into my face. That very event changed me from that carefree artist into someone in a constant state of desperation to earn validation and approval. I will confess, it even made me resort to draw things I don't want anything to do with because of that and it made me never proud of anything I create. It made me measure growth and improvement through metrics and numbers and the moment things go south... that's where I start to resort to unsavory means.

[@nin2ds]

Thank you Toniko for sharing your thoughts.. I used to be like this not too long ago. I've got a lot better now and for once I found my joy in art again and I love what I create, but I still get this creeping feeling that I'm supposed to set myself much higher, do better and have a professional look to myself or else people could look down on me. I feel guilty for just being true to myself, it's strange

[@Torrle]

Lots of great advice here. Nearly all of my art and animation I make is the fun and personal kind, since I know I'm the only one I need to please. Never developed an urge to show it off, though.

[@AnnaNikonova_newmilky]

Thank you for this! I deleted my Instagram recently exactly because of the same things you’re talking about. I wanted to focus on myself and understand what I really want to do, what I’m interested in. Feels really good.

[@Vanyx1000]

Personally can't relate but i'll send this video to my art friends. Very insightful, thanks Toniko!

[@andrewsharpify]

Awesome man glad I bought your course! It keeps animation a lot more fun.

[@arjb1046]

Thank you for making a video on this. Honestly, I only really use social media to network and just upload my art. I try my hardest to tell myself that even tho my art may not get all the likes and reblogs, the fact that its out there for anyone is enough for me.

[@fotdk1]

I get the sentiment to draw things for yourself and not care about numbers, but at the same time making content these days is like throwing something down a void.

[@kimaly7718]

Thank you so much! I really need to hear this 😊 making animations or just a drawing now feels kinda demotivating sometimes cuz in the middle of making it I always think "hm.. I'm making this, but for what? For me? To satisfy someone? My parents? Is this what I'll be working on for the rest of my time?" and there's just no answer for that.. But now I see that I should just literally do what I like! I mean my parents have told me to make what I like but I still tried to limit myself with just cute and not so dangerous concepts cuz I didn't want my parents to think that what I made is bad or against their beliefs. I'll probably wouldn't go as far as making a horror or wild stuff in my head but I'll definitely not gonna go for that cutesy stuff anymore 😁❤

[@mrshumancar]

Really need this, thank you.

[@bunnyrabbitlives]

I decided to watch this because it seemed like it could apply to anyone not just animators but painters, writers, and more.

[@reikadoodles]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, they made me feel seen.💐I hope you have a lovely day!

[@kolibrirose7679]

I am so proud of you Toniko. This video showed how much you have grown, your maturity and depth as a person. You are an big inspiration to me, and I look up to your tought processes and values. I am not creating any publicly shared art myself, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that I had a very toxic relationship with art myself as I was going trough college. I went trough so much therapy and mental struggles to get from my art block to where I am today. I am glad I have found someone like you I can finally relate to, and who is honest and open to tell us what it's like on inside. Wish you a good day and fulfillment with whatever you are doing right now. Love from the Netherlands

[@kellybmackenzie]

Great video, this i a really important discussion! Also, I cannot stress this enough, I love your puppy so so much

[@lacroustillenecroustillepl2637]

woa that video comes right when I needed it, realisted a couple weeks ago that my only motivation for drawing/animating was attention and approval from other and thats was the main reason why I hated what i was drawing but HAD to share it, to keep feeding my social medias account I started sharing less because of internship and so I started drawing for myself more, to just have fun and release the work pressure and that makes me feel good and proud of my dummy sketches You motivated me even more to draw for me and distance myself of social medias engagement hell loop

[@luciavegames313]

I had something happening to me right now [at this exact moment I feel completely burnt out...] and it's about an art school project that I had to have done just yesterday, with less than a month to do it all [what happened is that the teacher decided to cut down a whole month to do it...] and since I was going for 2D animation, this screwed me up too bad. All I was seeking for was good grades with this, but I got completely burnt out and as much as I wanted, I couldn't pull out to even finish the animatic of it... this frustrates me even more because that project was the key to save me from the bad grades I had left in the first trimester by a lack of organisation on sending so many homeworks I had left behind for the same reason... it makes me so sad I fell in this horrible pit and even if I saw this video, I cannot get out of this approval seeking doom, thanks that such approval is linked down to how my grades will be to progress in the career I want to be... I really hope I can get through this someway....

[@pepinyostep3592]

OMGG i can relate to this word for word 😮 knowing that an artist i look up to also feels and has felt the same way is so reassuring!

[@whisperingdreamsart]

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts Toniko, I’m been watching your videos for a while and they are really helpful for artists that struggles with themselves. But for the most, thank you for been honest. There is a lot of videos trying to sell and ambitious and sometimes irreal way to live as an artist. There are lots of creators that are lost in toons of toxic advices. As you said, we need more personal sharing from more social media references. So yeah, thanks for your videos and big hugs from a fan.

[@cachetonx3]

This is exactly what I needed to hear right now, thank you so so much for sharing this :')

[@inyuji]

Thank you so much for sharing this

[@perkon_]

These videos are and always have been helpful.

[@bananabike279]

Very good topic, more artists need to be aware of this!!

[@FinnArt]

Thank you so much for this video, Tonika. It resonates very much with me, I got a bit emotional. Need to start making my own things instead what I percieve others want.

[@VP-tn1ip]

This is really open my mind to another pov that's been buried within validation, glad stumbled onto this one vid

[@anteaterproductions]

Toniko, thank you so much for this video. I really needed this as I have felt that HUGE guilt for the past year not posting much. The thing is, it's really bad that I am because so many people in animation already work FLAT OUT! Like, those that can make the time to post stuff outside of work really have a good balance, but it feels like default for some of us to do both. Say this year, nothing I'm working on can be seen until next year, but because I'm not posting anything this year you get this horrid feeling that people think you're not working hard enough or something. It's all internal of course, this is personal stuff that people need to overcome, but I do think some of the animation community could benefit from being a little kinder to each other when it comes to our way of work.

[@supreemcourt9181]

Lets jus agree that social media has attacked everyone despite what profession or hobby u have.

[@need2thneeds132]

i do really resonate with this video. im nowhere near the industry yet, but as a animation content creator i get so wrapped up in validation that it becomes my only motivation sometimes. dont get me wrong- ive improved SO MUCH these last few months BECAUSE of the praise my content got, but it becomes toxic when its my only driving force. Especially when monetization comes into play too. I really wanna work on original content a lot of the time, but my audience who wants to see that is very low, and since i use my revenue to save for college i sometimes feel as if its a waste of time. i love what i do and my audience, but i also want to work on myself and what I wanna make too.

[@user-uw7lu2sp5n]

This's a very good advice thank you for sharing man

[@DarthBiomech]

A complicated topic. On one hand, don't become a slave of your audience and don't allow it to dictate what you create, how, and how often. On the other hand... The audience's reaction is the reason for which I _share_ my work (basically, the ONLY reasons I share it into public), and in several cases, it's an "I wouldn't continue with that project if people weren't showing interest, as I'd felt like I'm wasting my time" philosophy.

[@reem.voiceactress]

Thank you sooo much I am a beginner at this field and your channel has helped me a lot in many ways. I am so glad to be aware of this thing from the vey beginning since I have an Instagram account with only 26 followers, although I can see how fast I am devolping my animating skills there was always this nagging feeling that I am not doing enough because I am not getting recognition now I am glad I did not in order be aware of this issue before I grow a big number of followers

[@2shadowgamer2]

Thanks for this video 😊

[@tweakanimations2225]

That intro always brightens up my day

[@ROKMO]

Thanks so much man for sharing this!!

[@Twiddle_things]

THANK YOU

[@daggerstarfighter]

dug this one a lot as someone trying to reframe how i think about my productivity since im really a workaholic

[@madstergarden187]

I saw this i ponder it for a day and it was like a lightbulb it’s so true all great art is made from the heart.

[@madstergarden187]

And I will admit the heart is not always positive it’s can have a verity of emotion

[@cedricadougba324]

Thanks, GOD bless you.

[@Aogabgab]

This was nice insights

[@comicszoneuniverse]

I only draw 6 month a year for paying my rent and eating. I absolutely don't care about social "approval".. and when I can stop drawing, I do, because after working in storyboard for more than 10 years I start to be really really burn out about this inhumane industry. I only draw for paying my bills. The other time I am never seated at my desk: I am outside and doing everything unless drawing.

[@demonnogo]

Do you have any advice for becoming a freelancing artist?

[@denizwithz9589]

Woah. A video that's talking about me. I'm gonna see it

[@sirwilliamwindmill]

I really enjoy your video, I definitely can relate.. I did Gobelins not cal-arts but I can pretty much relate to ending up that program without too many friends.. regardless. The validation of having people enjoy your work or an audience is a double edge sword.. on one hand you cant really promote your art or make it profitable without audience engagement but on the other, like you said when you start building stuff just for the audience or refreshing the youtube page to see if the views went up.. you're hurting your art and your health... its a balance.. Good job here man you earned a subscriber!

[@pebblescarpetcat]

_Ah yes, that intro hit me like a truck. And a bus. And a plane.._ That's when you know you'll be getting the info you need :'D I think I have been caught in the downward spiral of validation for a while now, so thank you for this! Sometimes I forget to be proud of my finished projects

[@joaopereira817]

Totally true.

[@ChimiMyChanga73]

Good talk--

[@somasaasaa4850]

I think of myself as the artless artist, and I’m sure I’m not the only person like this. But essentially I don’t think I’ve created a single work of art. I’ll I make are tests of my technical skills (which are maybe level 3 artist?). I don’t really know how to feel about this on the one hand I’ve been able to improve quickly I’ve only been drawing for a year but on the other hand I don’t have anything I’m proud of . I can’t express myself threw art or make anything abstract. Every work is just a rush to get it finished. To explain the situation in another way I going to tell you my lostest point as an artist. My lowest point as an artist was after I watched the movie soul. And I realized I’m the fish wanting to see the ocean but who also finds saltwater boring. The solution in the movie is to just stop and do what truly inspires you and I tried that I stopped drawing I started “living life” but that was almost worse. Constantly going to the next thing I haven’t experienced yet like life’s some kind of amusement park. No I need a goal to pursue so I started drawing again and I’m having a great time doing it. So why am I complaining? I guess I just don’t get it how do you love your art? How do get inspired to work on something? I think I might have been able to do that when I was starting out as an artist but now I feel trapped in this constant cycle of self improvement that has no room for creativity. (If your read this I apologize I don’t understand what I’m saying ahhhhhhhhhh I hope you have a good day)

[@cornedbread3669]

Here we are once again, Tonjiko and his unexpectedly cathartic life lessons that can be applied to more than just art. I don’t have a lot to say, thanks Panjiko. Thankfully I already learnt this lesson sooner, but I hope others can also improve or atleast get a short break from their stress.

[@c.mdoeseverything1736]

Thank you

[@BoReads]

This speaks to me as a writer.

[@Possumbreath]

that's so wild that Tiny Nomad didn't get a lot of recognition, it's my favorite of your student films and how I originally found you! it STILL makes me cry every time I watch it. the message of this video is great too and important but I just wanted to come to the defense of Tiny Nomad sdjfoids

[@starandpaper6066]

WOOOOOOOORD!

[@PikachuSexingAgumon]

Honestly, this only makes me want to work as hard as you did, and I regret not working this hard when I was a kid. It's kind of like the joke: "I'm not good enough to have an imposter syndrome", like, first work as hard as you fucking can, then deal with the shit that comes with that

[@locusruizlopez5997]

Yes

[@linebeckrobbins6466]

I’m lucky I found fishkeeping, because… well. I did, and still do, care a lot about attention and validation. but, the hobby of caring for another animal and being able to see the results- that helps a lot with knowing that, like. you’re good at things. its not just feedback that you get from people that youre not sure about how genuine they are, its feedback from animals that have their demands and needs. still trying to figure out the art for approval thing though. I still fall prey to it, which sucks. I want to make things for myself again, but its like I’ve forgotten.

[@cyrenec9316]

Im 22 years old and will graduate soon in a month after 6 years in my course of animation (its 4 yr course but i failed my thesis film twice). And i do have the fight inside my head wanting to have vaildation vs me being ok with less than 50 likes. That also includes watching some 16 years old in animation doing so great and being famous and me getting jealous and hating myself for not getting to learn in the same age because i only learn the basics of art at 18.

[@AdaptiveReasoning]

Gonna be honest: The kids keep getting younger and better than you or anyone could have possibly imagined. You have to learn to shrug and say "good for them". They had newer technologies younger than you or the previous generations, better education, etc. They had more work to discect online, more peers, more everything. That's progress! Just try to be true to your own experiences, and know they'll be jealous when they're blown out of the water by some younger whippersnapper later.

[@kupeart3746]

I don’t care about popularity - tiny nomad is my favorite film of you

[@rebecaluna6885]

I always feel im never going to be recognized so i just focus on improving my skills so i can creat and animate all the storys i think. I guess im lucky to watch this types of videos it makes me remember to not care that much about likes and that kind of things.

[@MissyMona]

Honestly, I remember trying to look at Ethan Beckers work and being so unhappy with his videos. He promotes working until you hurt yourself. People say he's playing a character, so that's why he acts the way he does. But I prefer someone like you who decided to be upfront and honest about your experiences. You're already an amazing animator, you don't need to prove yourself by making big projects all the time.

[@TonikoPantoja]

oh when did he say that? I'd love to know more about the context of that.

[@shachintheartist]

I am neither above nor below someone , I am just a human.Stop seeking validation. pleasing people is not the purpose of life. The purpose is to expreience & live & let live. Sharing Lesson 1 . Seeking approval can make us invisible. Lesson 2. Learn from everyone follow no one. Thanks for the wisdom in video .

[@stephaniewozny3852]

I seek validation through art because no one cares about me as just a person. 🙁

[@valeriaaraujo9962]

I decided to take a break of social media and just study and maybe create another art account in the near future but I'm sincerely unsure about going on the internet again now. I started to create and indulging myself in whatever I really like and it's so fun! Receiving likes and praises sure felt great, but when I did things just with this purpose I would draw like one or two times a week, now I'm drawing everyday and I don't think I have ever been so excited about drawing like I'm now.

[@JBarista08]

Also this advice could also go to people who want to do independent animation as well so thanks Toniko

[@m.sdejavu1821]

i rlly wish this video was spread around

[@igotbit9454]

whoa you're good.

[@RegenerationOfficial]

That's why I leave stuff that I finished and just come back after some time or after some other project. The only criticism I care about are the people I worked for and my quality control. People normally don't know the path to the objective

[@octomar1815]

Instant Validation is an addiction :')

[@highdefinition450]

Oh shit this dude went to Calarts. Sometimes I really wonder if it's actually worth it, I'd be curious about a video like that

[@drollycoffee1599]

Ive been posting artworks in social media for 4 years already but it's really hard when the posts get a few likes with the same friends and families. I was in that mindset of seeking validation from artists and every posts made me think if this was good enough for my followers, or will I lose some? It got to the point where I lost track on what I really want to do with my art career. Just until this year did I try doing art because I love doing it and I want to express myself through my art. There may still be times where I doubt this mindset, but deep down, it's fulfilling how I genuinely love my art because I just do.

[@Nogardtist]

imagine having minimal recognition

[@Yipper64]

5:28 hmm yeah thats kind of the problem with my mentality, or at least how my mentality has been for a while. Im not specifically looking for internet street cred but something I have been working on for like over two years now, on and off, its a memey videogame. I know it sounds silly to work on a joke for over two years but im genuinely tired of starting and not finishing projects. Allthough, I suppose if I dont even work on it, thats a bigger issue, isnt it? Honestly I dont even know if thats it. Whatever it is, there is something hurting my motivation, ive got to get through it and complete this. Not to be popular, but just to do it. 9:45 yeah thats the part I think I dont get yet. how do I take breaks without losing interest in what I was working on entirely? Basically how do I come back from a break?

[@tarz1109]

You were part of Fluidanims? Now that's a surprise, did you have a different name? Music at 13:33?

[@jpuc5568]

My old mindset playing league of legends.

[@jpuc5568]

I'm still in bronze BTW.

[@Rinkyu]

I reciently made a speedpaint on my channel, any crtique would be nice. Have a nice day everyone! I also relate so much to this video.