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TJ Lubrano's avatar

Ahh I so resonate with this! ❤ It also made me think about how I've dealt with comparison trap as an illustrator. Whenever I found myself comparing a tad too much, I reminded myself that this happened because I saw something in them that I could have as well. It was like they were a mirror for my own potential. This didn't always immediately work with feeling calmer or more confident in myself, especially if they had a certain appearance that supported them, but after a little while it did help to get a different perspective and to release the comparison.

I usually shifted to the question, "do I truly want to do what they are doing?" - The question obviously got a bit altered depending on what I was comparing, haha. But very often, I didn't really want to act like them or have what they had. I usually wanted the feeling that their e.g lifestyle portrayed for me. Feelings can be obtained in many ways, right? And knowing this makes it easier for me to embrace my own journey and the labels that describe me as a creative soul. 🥰

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Ahhh yes! I know that feeling! It’s really great and important that you managed to identify whether or not you did in fact want what they had. It’s something I struggle with at times too 🤍

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TJ Lubrano's avatar

🤗❤ I’ve been trying to remember when it began to click for me, but the last few years are a bit of a blur with all the shifts & changes, haha.

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

I suppose sometimes it’s a gradual shift that you don’t always notice happening.

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TJ Lubrano's avatar

nods that’s so so true ❤

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Serena Camacho's avatar

Thank you for your honesty in this essay Jenna. I share so many of the same self-doubts. I have days that I feel confident and others in which I’m plagued with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. It’s a never-ending fight, but I believe it’s part of my work here on this earth.

Thanks again for sharing.

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Thank you for reading Serena, it’s somewhat comforting to know that so many others feel that way too. I think you’re right, the self-doubt is part of life and part of being creative.

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Beverley Dickson's avatar

I so resonate with your post Jenna and recently I’ve been practicing more gratitude to reduce the amount of comparisons I make. I am finding it helpful to look for what I can be thankful for in someone else’s ✍️ ❤️

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

I’m so glad you resonated with this Beverley, thank you! Yes, that’s a great way to balance - be grateful for our own journey, but use others for inspiration, not comparison or jealousy.

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j.e. moyer, LPC's avatar

I think we are all poems, each of us. Maybe we all need to write about a poem who doesn’t feel like a poem. What would your poem sound like?

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Oh yes! That would be a great poem to write. I will ponder over the words and let them come to me.

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Thank you! I’ll check it out

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Lezel Simons's avatar

I'm not just a poet😊 this was a helpful reminder and perspective. Loved the pics especially.

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Thank you so much! I’m glad it resonated 🥰

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Nelly Bryce's avatar

Hmm yes. Thanks for helping me to look at comparison differently x

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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Thank you for reading, I’m glad it helped. I still very much feel contradicted with comparison, but I feel thinking this way helps x

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Apr 21, 2024
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Jenna Nicole Stevens's avatar

Definitely! And it’s certainly okay to feel that way.

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