For the Critics:
There is a time and a place. And while criticism is important and necessary in order to foster growth, the time and place is rarely—if ever—immediately following a performance/showing/reading, while the artist is surrounded by their people. In any scenario, you have the opportunity to present your criticism (even if it’s harsh criticism) with generosity and grace…or to use your criticism as a weapon.
For the Creators:
When we receive unsolicited, hurtful criticism, we can choose to set boundaries. Not by throwing a fit, or calling for backup, or even quietly cursing. By saying, “You have the right to say what you’d like in this moment, but I also have the right to not listen.”
Boundaries for the creatives look like: deciding whose opinion of you matters, and why—and largely disregarding the rest. As Brené Brown would say, there’s always going to be jeering from the cheap seats.
If you didn’t make your thing for them, then it’s likely they’re going to criticize it. That’s okay—wear it as a badge of honor. You made something so unique, so particular, that it inspired someone to make a concerted effort to criticize you. When it comes right down to it, that’s pretty damn awesome.
(Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash)