You’re Not Doing This Alone - Read This If You Feel Behind

30 Apr

If you’re feeling behind right now, let me tell you something important - you are not the only one. The creative path isn’t smooth. It’s full of detours, waiting, overthinking, and seasons where nothing seems to move forward no matter how much effort you put in.

When we feel stuck or behind, it’s not just about the work. It’s about how alone it can all feel. And I want to talk about that today, not with a sugar-coated message, but with honesty, clarity, and support.

Let’s unpack the three places that make us feel most isolated as creatives and how we can start to shift them.

1. The Comparison Trap (and how to step out of it)

Scrolling is often when it hits the hardest.

You see someone posting their latest collection or announcing a licensing deal, and suddenly, your to-do list feels heavier, your pace feels slower, and your progress feels like it’s not enough. That voice creeps in: “They’ve figured it out. Why can’t I?”

But here’s the truth - comparison removes all context. You’re measuring your behind-the-scenes against someone else’s curated front-facing moments. It’s not a fair match. Their life, energy levels, support system, available time and years of experience? All different. All invisible from the outside.

To break the comparison cycle:

Limit passive scrolling. If you’re not in a good headspace, avoid Instagram or Pinterest. Log off when you feel self-doubt rising.
Mute or unfollow accounts that trigger negative thoughts, even if you admire the person. You can always re-follow later.
Start documenting your own wins. Keep a "creative progress journal" (this can be digital or a physical notebook) where you jot down things you're proud of each week - no matter how small. It's proof you're moving.

Comparison dims your view of yourself. Stepping back gives you a clearer one.

2. Feeling Isolated (and what to do when the silence feels heavy)

Designing is often a solo act. You're sitting at your desk, drawing, tweaking, second-guessing. There's no team chat. No feedback unless you ask for it. And sometimes, that silence becomes loud.

If you’ve ever launched something and heard crickets, or posted a piece of work and got no response, it can make you question everything. You start wondering if you’re even meant to be doing this.

Let me say it plainly: your worth is not tied to other people’s reactions. Lack of engagement doesn’t mean your work isn’t good. It just means the algorithm didn’t show it, or people are scrolling without commenting, or your audience isn’t in a place to respond that day. That silence isn’t personal.

To reduce creative isolation:

Join a creative accountability group. Look for groups on Facebook, Slack or Discord with creatives that do what you do or through courses you’ve joined.
Start a recurring check-in with one other designer. A 30-minute voice note exchange or monthly coffee Zoom to talk honestly about where you’re at. One real connection beats 1,000 silent followers.
Use your platform to share what you’re feeling, not just what you’re making. When you talk honestly, you’ll be surprised how many people say “me too.”

Feeling isolated doesn’t mean you’re the only one in the room, it means we need to make the room smaller and warmer.

3. Building Real Community (without needing a massive audience)

The creative world often makes it seem like community = big numbers. But real community is never built from a follower count. It’s built in the DMs, the emails, the comments where someone says, “Thank you for saying this out loud.”

If you feel like you don’t have a circle of creative friends or don’t know where to begin, it’s okay. This isn’t about being extroverted or having lots of time. It’s about being intentional.

Strategic ways to build a support system:

Be the first to reach out. Message someone whose work you admire. Let them know what resonated with you. That simple act of kindness starts conversations.
Create a monthly “open studio hour” online. Invite a few fellow artists or past students to co-work for an hour on Zoom. No pressure, just showing up together.
Attend small online workshops or creative meetups where people are encouraged to talk. Start by asking one person to chat afterward.
Share more of your creative thought process. When you open up about what you’re working through, people feel permission to connect, not just consume.

Community isn’t waiting for you to be “ready.” It’s built through honest conversations, small gestures, and consistency.

You’re Not Behind - You’re Building Something

It’s okay to grow slowly. It’s okay to feel unsure. What matters is that you’re still here, still showing up in your way.

So if you feel behind right now, come back to this:

You’re not alone in your doubt.
You’re not alone in your pace.
And you’re not behind - you’re just building something real.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog post and realise that we all feel alone at times and this is totally normal. If no one’s said it to you lately: You’re doing better than you think. Your pace is still progress. And there’s a seat for you at the table, exactly as you are.

Want to take a small step today? Reach out to someone you admire, or leave a comment on someone’s post that made you feel something. Connection starts with one moment of courage.