What If They Hate It?

“Recognizing that people’s reactions don’t belong to you is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you’ve created, terrific. If people ignore what you’ve created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you’ve created, don’t sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you’ve created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, and insult your intelligence, and malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest – as politely as you possibly can – that they go make their own fucking art. Then stubbornly continue making yours.” -Elizabeth Gilbert

You put your whole heart and soul into making something and no one cares. Worse they hate it. What to do?

First, remember you can’t control their response. Nor should you try. It’s not up to you.

What is up to you is that you cared enough to look deep into your heart, found what you were passionate to say and why, decided to manifest it with excellence and generosity no matter what, and you were brave enough to share it with the world. Or as Teddy Roosevelt once exhorted, you “entered the arena”, you “dared greatly”, you “strove valiantly”, your face was “marred by dust and sweat and blood”…you did the deed. That’s all that counts.

Now, do it again.