Life's A Chibi: Jealousy over Ability

Ever watched someone pull off amazing feats that you thought it was humanly impossible? Ever witnessed impossible acts that leave you breathless and amazed? Ever gazed at something that you thought it was impossible for any human being to create out of nothing? Deep down, do you wish you could do something like what you just witnessed - the need to be just as good as the talented person, or sometimes even better? Do you compare your skills to theirs and feel like you are not talented at all? Do you feel envious over something that you can't do to save your life?

I wanted to do an image about this for some time now but I didn't want it to be just about artist, but about other unique talents and trades. Now and then, I would watch some interesting videos online of people doing amazing stunts, pulling off astounding tricks and creating works of art that takes one's breath away. I would watch them repeatedly, just to see how it's possible for someone to be so amazing at what they do. I start to question my own abilities and feel rather small compared to what I've just witnessed; comparing myself to them and what they can do. This also goes with artwork too. No artist is the same. Everyone has a different style and a different method to do a piece of artwork. Some are simple and laid back, others are more intense and interknit, leaving you questioning how is it physically possible to create something so amazing.

You start to feel like your talents are inadequate. You start to feel down about yourself and question your own self worth. What makes you so special compared to other people? Why can't you be as talented or creative as the ones you admire? What are they doing differently? What are you doing wrong? Will you ever be able to do something like what you just witnessed? The more you ask yourself these questions, the more you feel down about your own talents and your self-esteem plummets.

The hard part is to constantly remind yourself that your own skills are unique. Yes, there are people out there who can do better than you. They can do something you do with quicker speed and talent. But you need to remember that they were taught differently. They had different study habits and skills that you were never taught or experienced. They used different tools and methods that were unavailable to you or something you can't physically perform. However, the way that you were taught and create and personal talent is unique in itself. You can do actions and have personal skills no one else can copy or be as good as. They may try to copy it or try to pull it off, but only you hold the crown for having a unique ability. It's the small things you do that make your ability and talents unique. It may not look impressive or flashy as the next, but it's your own and it's unique. I constantly have to remind myself, that as much as I want to be as good as this artist or that artist, my own personal style and talent is unique and I'm good at certain things I know others have a hard time trying to do or pull off. It's what makes me a unique artist and person as well.

You have your own voice, your own style, your own talents, and your own strengths. You may be jealous of someone's work or talents, but there will always be people out there who will be jealous over certain things that you can do. It might be someone that you are jealous over as well. You may feel like your own talent and abilities are not important or a waste, but others will think the complete opposite and say what you can do is amazing.


artwork © 2014 Alex Cockburn