Why you shouldn’t worry what others think about your music

Worrying too much about the opinions of others can quickly lead to burnout, which does good for anyone. Here are some more reasons why this is a bad idea and where you should focus your energy instead.

by Jay of Reverbnation Blog

In a world ruled by social media and streaming platforms, it can be tough for musicians to detach from caring what the world thinks about their music. It’s normal to feel affected, but putting too much stock in other people’s opinions about your music can be detrimental as an artist. Here’s why:

Pandering to audiences can backfire

Making music you think the world wants to hear might sound like a good strategy for success, but it’s something that has the opposite effect for most artists. Don’t be afraid of failing with your own original ideas – it’s actually these ideas that can lead to a breakthrough in your career. Even though creating something that’s authentic and unique to you can be a challenge, it gives you your best shot at making something memorable and enduring. 

It’s unhealthy to create from a place of self-doubt

There’s nothing wrong with wanting people to like your music. After all, having some interest in what others think about your work needs to happen if you want to develop your career. But there’s a difference between caring and caring too much – the latter can absolutely crush your spirit in the long-run. Try using those nasty comments as motivation to grow as an artist instead. 

Remember, you are not defined by the opinions of others and there’s no way to please everyone. It might feel hard or even impossible to do, but there’s a balance that needs to happen between accepting some amount of criticism and knowing what to tune out. 

Choose what and who to pay attention to

Adopting discernment can help you accept some criticism without letting disappointment weigh you down. It’s about paying attention to thoughtful takeaways of your music and ignoring things that aren’t helpful. For example, obsessing over streaming numbers isn’t helpful. A low play count doesn’t necessarily mean your music is bad. On the other hand, a negative review might contain constructive feedback. However, choosing whether to tune out or pay attention to these things is completely up to you. 

How you approach this should depend on what you think will ultimately help you make the best and most authentic music you can. You’ll never win over everyone with your music, and that shouldn’t be your goal. By making sure you’re doing what you love first and foremost, you’ll be in a more optimum state of mindn to withstand criticism and disappointment.