Not Everyone’s Art Is For You.
PSA to haters who forgot how scrolling works. And a hug to creators who keep showing up.
I’ll never understand the people who think it’s their civic duty to hate on creators.
I’m not talking about thoughtful critique. Not the hilarious memes. Not a nuanced opinion that gets you thinking.
This is a specific brand of hate that’s so needless, the likes of: “I hate this. You suck. Stop creating.”
This is someone who woke up and thought: “You know what I’ll do with my one precious life today? I’ll go shit on a stranger’s work.”
What part of your brain short-circuited and went: “Yes. This is the most productive use of my time today”?
We see this happen all the time. But when I saw someone do this to one of my favourite writers, Alice Lemée, it got my blood boiling. Her newsletter is one of the top ten joys of my life. Right up there with hot chocolate & voice notes with my bestie. Her writing is warm, witty, and so human.
But of course, some man had to write to her and declare that her writing was:
“Self-indulgent shit. Stop writing.”
Umm… Who made you the Dean of Admissions at the Academy of Worthy Creators?
Did you forget you have free will?
Let me reintroduce you to the powerful life-altering invention called “Close Tab.” Or if you’re advanced: scrolling past.
Not everyone’s work is meant for you. And that's fine! That’s literally the point of having such a variety of creators on the internet. Not liking someone’s work doesn’t give you the license to hide behind a screen and channel your boredom to bully people online.
Presumptuous of me to think that was common sense. Basic lessons to be a decent human being.
And I say this not just as a protective reader. I’ve personally experienced this and seen it happen to numerous creator friends.
I’m a dancer. I choreograph and post reels on Instagram. Behind each 30-second reel goes hours of practice, self-doubt, sweat, choreography tweaks, editing, overthinking, praying for good lighting and a decent hair day.
After all that, I'd receive the most vile comments without an iota of thought:
“So ugly”
“Lose some weight before you dance”
(Y’all know that’s not the worst we get, but just to keep it PG13)
Not “your angles could be tighter.” Not “the music isn't synced.” No actual feedback. Just freshly brewed, proudly anonymous, hate. By men (because it’s always men :) ) who’ve never risked putting anything of their own out there.
Let me be clear. I’m not saying, “Please like my work, I worked so hard"
I’m saying: If you don't like it, you can leave. Instead, you stay. You hate-watch it. Leave a hateful message, that tells nothing about my work and everything about your rotting insides.
Why?
What is this compulsive need to hate? You think it’s cool to weaponise free speech as an excuse to dehumanise?
Gotta burst your bubble
You are not a cultural gatekeeper.
You are not the literary Hunger Games panel deciding who lives and dies.
You are not God's appointed editor-in-chief of the internet.
You are just a bitter person with a Wi-Fi connection and way too much unprocessed rage.
Some reminders & cheat code to be a decent human
Creators are human.
You don’t have to love their work.
But you must remember they're people too.
Nobody is taping your eyes open and screaming "Watch my content!"
If you don't like it, walk away. Curate your own digital garden. Spend your time on creators you enjoy.
You have free will. Use it. And if your only hobby is leaving mean comments on other people’s art — It’s time. Go to therapy, bro.
And here’s a bonus lesson from Bambi for you.
To every creator who endures toxic comments:
Hate comments are never about you. Your art may or may not land with the audience, but you’re still human.
And anyone who can’t talk to you like one has no business talking at all.
You are here to make art. To try. To take up space.
You don’t need permission from a bitter stranger in the comments.
Keep creating.
The internet needs more brave and bold hearts — not anonymous venom.
And in wise Taylor’s words:
