This video will make you STOP SCROLLING

Summary

In this video, Soui, a full-time anime artist, shares insights on how artists today are struggling with distractions like social media, self-doubt, and the pressure to perform. She encourages artists to focus on improving their skills and creating consistently, rather than seeking shortcuts or comparing themselves to others. Soui also discusses the importance of eliminating distractions, embracing digital awareness, and building a routine that fosters creativity. The video stresses the value of persistence, embracing the journey, and not being afraid of being average while striving for growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media addiction can hinder creative work and personal growth, often leading to comparison and anxiety over success.
• 😀 Artists should focus more on creating a robust body of work rather than overthinking success or worrying about selling their art too soon.
• 😀 Reducing screen time and focusing on real, offline activities, like drawing or reading, can help artists regain focus and improve their skills.
• 😀 Drawing for the sake of enjoyment and personal growth, rather than for external validation, can reignite passion for art.
• 😀 Acknowledge that success in art and in life takes time, and shortcuts (like using AI art or chasing viral trends) won't provide sustainable growth.
• 😀 The concept of 'quantity over quality' is key in artistic development—producing a large volume of work accelerates improvement.
• 😀 It's important to accept that, in the beginning, being 'average' is okay—growth comes through consistent effort, not perfection.
• 😀 Create a healthy relationship with social media: eliminate distractions, curate your feed, and don't let it dictate your value as an artist.
• 😀 Focus on building your skills and self-belief rather than constantly comparing yourself to others in the industry.
• 😀 Physical media (like sketchbooks, art books, and printed references) is essential for inspiration and skill development, beyond what is consumed digitally.
• 😀 Artists should be kind to themselves during their journey, and remember that small steps towards improvement are still progress.

Q & A

Why does Soui feel concerned about the current state of artists?

Soui is concerned that many artists are paralyzed by fear of judgment and addicted to social media, preventing them from drawing enough to build a strong body of work. Artists are overthinking their careers without focusing on improving their craft.

How has Soui managed to reduce their phone usage and focus on their art?

Soui reduced phone usage to just 2 hours a day, enabling them to focus more on their business and art. They suggest that others can follow this method to reclaim their time and focus.

What is the issue with constantly comparing oneself to successful artists on social media?

Soui believes that constantly comparing oneself to successful artists on social media leads to feelings of inadequacy and unrealistic expectations. It encourages unhealthy competition and can make people feel like they need to replicate others' success to be successful.

What role did social media play in Soui's previous mindset and career?

Social media, particularly Twitter, contributed to Soui's feelings of inadequacy and unnecessary competition. They found themselves scrolling through rage-bait, envy-bait, and extreme content that fueled negative emotions and distracted from their work.

How does Soui suggest artists should deal with distractions and focus on their craft?

Soui recommends limiting social media usage, eliminating apps from phones, and replacing the time spent on social media with physical media such as sketchbooks, books, and art magazines. The goal is to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with the core reasons for creating art.

What is the significance of the pottery class parable in the video?

The pottery class parable illustrates that quantity leads to improvement. The team that focused on producing a large number of pots (Team A) ended up with better results than the team that focused on making a single perfect pot (Team B). Soui uses this to emphasize that consistent practice is essential for artistic growth.

Why does Soui say it's important to embrace being 'average' as an artist?

Soui encourages artists to stop worrying about being exceptional all the time. They stress that it's okay to be 'average' because art requires time and effort to improve. Comparing oneself to the small percentage of top artists on social media can create unrealistic expectations.

How can an artist start building a more productive relationship with social media?

Soui suggests that artists create intentional habits for using social media, like saving inspirational images and organizing them in a way that helps improve their work. They also recommend using digital wellness tools to track and limit social media time.

What does Soui mean by saying 'creating is not about making sure you're always doing the best'?

Soui emphasizes that creating art is about consistency and courage, even if the results aren’t perfect. It's more important to keep creating and improving than to obsess over making every piece flawless.

How does Soui recommend overcoming the fear of drawing and self-doubt?

Soui advises artists to stop overthinking and simply start drawing, even if it's just doodling or drawing from imagination. They suggest creating original characters (OCs) to bypass the need for references, as this allows for more free-flowing creativity.