I know I can be a bit obsessive. It’s one of my faults. But I’ve learned that it’s just best for me to let my obsession run its course. I’ll get less obsessed over time.

My latest obsession involves checking way too often to see if I have any new likes, comments, or followers on my posts and videos. I now understood how teenagers get so addicted to getting likes on their posts. What started out as sharing because I created something I thought was interesting become wanting that rush of adrenalin as I saw people responding to my posts.

But checking too often has some negative consequences. Instead of just putting content up because I created something fun and I wanted to share it, I started to feel some pressure to create content just to keep people engaged. It was backwards. I suppose it is the same as having deadlines. The thought becomes what am I going to create, just to have something to post, instead of creating for the sheer joy of creating and then sharing it.

I really enjoy writing. It’s a lot of fun. And although watercolor painting is a recent hobby, I do it because it is very calming and I love seeing my vision materialize. I post about my writing and painting because I feel things that created aren’t made just for the creator to enjoy, but so other people can enjoy it as well. Just the same way I love seeing what others have created.

But as I’ve posted and realized that I was getting likes, comments and followers based on what I put up, I noticed I was getting a little obsessed checking to see if there were any new likes, comments or I added new followers. I was excited when I did and disappointed when I didn’t or if it was just the follower or two that liked and commented on everything.

I have to admit, I don’t like that kind of stress – feeling like I have to create something just to have something to post so I could get more likes, etc, and I have wondered about how other creative people deal with it. (If you have some good suggestions, please comment.)

What is helping me is creating somewhat of a schedule for myself. Since I have several different avenues of creativity, I have a goal of doing one of each a week. One #KindleVella Chapter of #IdyllilyWild (which is almost a complete book), one #NanaTime video (currently reading #TheSeventhCity, the first book in the #KingdomofFarin series, and one painting that I use as a writing prompt.

If I am able to keep my schedule, I have several posts for one week and I don’t put too much stress on myself. Do I still check to see if there is any response way too often? Yes, and I probably will for a while, just knowing me. Am I disappointed when there isn’t anything new or the likes and comments are from the follower that likes and comments on everything? Yes.

But I’m not taking myself too seriously. My initial goal is still the same: be myself, create what speaks to me and don’t try to be like someone else, and share it for other people to enjoy. I am one of many people putting their creations out into the world. If what I do is liked by someone else, awesome. If not, then I’m still going to do what I do and just enjoy being me.

#Sharonlletson #sharonlletsonauthor #fictionwriter #watercolorart #authorslife