Random People on the Internet

"Winter Blue", 20x20 mixed media on wood. Prints available on my website. 

 I've been making generous use of the block button recently. There was a time when blocking someone wasn't something that came to mind when I got a negative comment online. But with a growing audience, the occasional critical comment has become something else entirely. From people telling me to "give up and just get married", or that my work is "unoriginal" ( or better yet... "complete crap"), comments from random strangers has become something I've had to actively deal with, to make sure they don't mess with my head.

Comments on social media can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can provide valuable insights and perspectives that we may not have considered before. On the other hand, they can be hurtful, offensive, or simply unproductive.

Here are some tips for dealing with random comments on social media:

Take a deep breath and remember that it's just the internet. It can be easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and take things personally, but it's important to remember that these comments are just words on a screen. They don't define who you are as a person.

Consider the source. If the comment is coming from someone you don't know, it's likely that they don't know you either. They may not understand the context or perspective that you're coming from. If the comment is coming from someone you do know, try to consider their intentions. Are they trying to be helpful or are they just trying to start an argument?

Carefully consider whether or not to engage. If the comment is inappropriate or offensive, it's okay to just ignore it. There's no obligation to engage with every comment that comes your way. It's perfectly fine to delete it and block the person... sometime that can be the best course of action. However, if the comment is well-intentioned and you feel like you can have a productive conversation, it could be in your best interest to consider responding. I've developed a few friendships with artists in other parts of the world that started with simply responding to a comment. And engagement on a social media post tells the algorithm that your content is interesting to your followers, and shows it to more people. 

Stay calm and respectful. Even if you disagree with someone's comment, it's important to stay respectful in your response. Avoid personal attacks or insults, and try to focus on the issue at hand. Getting angry and having a comment war doesn't achieve anything, and can affect your state of mind.

Take a break if you need to. If you're feeling overwhelmed or distressed by the comments you're receiving, it's okay to take a break from social media. It's important to prioritize your own well-being and mental health.

Overall, it's important to remember that random comments on social media are just that – random. They don't define you, and you don't have to let them get to you. By staying calm, respectful, and taking care of yourself, you can effectively deal with random comments and keep your social media experience positive.