do you happen to have any tips for beginner or struggling artists when it comes to being happy with your work? ——— Oh hell yeah. Lots. I'll start with the fact that even those who have spent years in art still feel inferior to other artists--bc i do that too, sometimes. I think we artists compare ourselves to everyone around us all the time, and while it can be motivating to improve like that, it can also be draining. So it's important to be kind to yourself !! ALWAYS !! Art is supposed to be fun, and if it's not (like it's just work), that's fine too, but remember that it's never a measure of who or what you are as a whole person. I think it'd help if you have a separate identity apart from being an artist; maybe you're a kind and cheerful person too ! Maybe you have other hobbies. It's important to avoid using being an artist as your only personality trait because everyone experiences lows with their art, and it hits harder when it's all you have as an identity. I've been there. It's not a fun experience. I'm still learning to be more thsn just my artist identity even now. Another thing that would help is to make sure you don't match other people's pace. Make your own. Who cares if this other artist is younger than you but is achieving more ??? So what ?? There's no age limit to being good at art. Hell, some legendary famous people only started the career they're known for when they were 50 something. Some of them even had to change careers, so if art isn't for you as a career, then you can still keep it as a fun hobby while taking something else more seriously. Lastly, don't obsess over follower count. EVER. That stuff doesn't matter and it will have to stay that way if you want to stay happy with your work. You can work hard to gain more followers and its fun to gain lots of gratification and validation when you have huge numbers in your traction tabs, sure, but ALWAYS REMEMBER that your art is yours, therefore you should do what makes you happy. Don't like trends ? Don't follow them. You want to draw something wacky ? Something cliche ? "Boring" ? DO IT. The only person you need to consider and cater to when it comes to YOUR art is YOU. I like to believe that people will be influenced to love your stuff if you love it as passionately and genuinely as possible. People are drawn to things with life and soul in it; YOU give that life and soul to whatever you make from the blank canvas. Don't let other people, follower counts, or some whacky productivity lie take that from you. HAVE FUN. Do it YOUR way and the rest will fall into place. TLDR, just treat it all with grace. Trust the process and the small steps. Be kind to yourself. Don't rush it and do what feels right at the moment. Take art breaks if you have to. EVERY DRAWING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. Compare yourself and your progress to no one but yourself only. You got this 🫶