Staying organized is the hardest part of my job sometimes lol...

Once a month, at the beginning of every month, I sit down and spend an afternoon planning my big monthly goals/to do lists and looking back on the progress I’ve made since the previous month.

I know I mostly just share nsfw fantasies here, but this has been really really helpful for me. As someone who works for myself in a creative (and therefore completely objective field) its easy to fall into a sneaky spiral of negative thinking and comparing myself to my friends and peers. By doing this monthly sit-down, I keep myself on track for the future and I can clearly see my own improvement. Even if it’s small, or even if it goes down one month; it’s still better yet than 6 months or a year ago.

It’s important to be able to see your accomplishments, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to strive for better! Comparing yourself to others isn’t always bad, as long as you do it constructively. Think about why you think they’re “better” and what you can implement in your own work to try their strategies without copying them.

When I was a full time illustrator this mindset shift helped me so much. I used to get so down on myself about not being as good as other artists. I’d be so sad and have so little confidence in my skill that I would just quit for days or weeks at a time. I finally decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and instead study the work of those I admired and figure out EXACTLY why I thought they were better. And then I would do studies and practice and try to copy their exact styles

(I did not release that work, because it was done strictly for study and was often traced or replicated as closely as possible- which is perfectly okay for your own, private learning)

What I’m getting at is, if you’re struggling to see your improvement, take something concrete and track it. Write it down, keep a journal of progress, whether it’s creative, physical health, mental health, a skill you’re learning- anything at all. Track it! Prove to yourself that you are growing, even if you’re afraid you’re not!

Be well, and have a wonderful November! ♥️♥️