Is it bad to be negative sometimes?

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I believe that most artists/wordsmiths/poets/etc. feel they are extremely negative toward their own works when its mostly hyper-critical because no matter what the end result doesn't always match up with the vision in their head. I am a writer, pencil artist and amateur painter, and I get told all the damn time how good I am at these things. Doesn't matter because its never good enough for me. I believe thats why professionals hire people to be their critics instead of doing it themselves. If they didn't they would never put any work out. Hence why we have editors, promoters, managers, etc.
Being negative and being critical may seem like the same thing but it is not. You most likely take your work seriously, at least thats what I do, and it comes out sounding negative.
We artists of any format have to allow for outside opinions to influence our "view" a bit. Also accepting that perfection is unattainable is paramount if not easy. Basically we have to eventually hand off our creations to others at some point and accept that it may not be as good as we wanted but if others like it we did well enough.
Easier said than done, I know.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

This isn't a question of being negative or positive; that is an emotion you outwardly apply.

What you are talking about is self confidence... and I think it is bad that you don't understand your own strengths. Understanding your key strengths and weaknesses is the winning factor in being able to better yourself in what you are doing. You then know what you need to work on, and what you can use to enjoy life more.

For instance, I am not very good at written work, and shy away from it subconsciously. This has been identified, and I am now practicing more often to build my confidence. I don't like written work, but am still trying.
On the other hand I am good at my core job, and oft get praise for that. I agree with you, I hate recognition, and find getting and giving praise awkward and out of place, but it's only bad if you also don't beleive them, even when you are being told your strengths.

It is something you should look at, and maybe look into seeing a counseller about, as it can lead to depression or alienation of those around you in the future.

 

[krazykidd]

Yes it's bad to be negative. Fake it till you make it! Then when you make it rub it in other peoples faces. Works for me!

Also, you think you're bad, but others think you are good. Continuing to think you are terrible is not healthy for your growth. Write something, identify what you think is bad, and improve on that.

 

[Aramis Night]

People often assume I'm arrogant without actually talking to me, all the time. In truth I don't think very much of myself. I believe I should have been aborted for the sake of my parents who could have otherwise had far better lives. At the same time, as bad a light as I see myself in, I see most people as much worse. And that is the source of my own pride. I may be a piece of garbage, but I'm still better than the abject bile I'm surrounded by. But I keep myself grounded with reminders that I'm only better than others by comparison, not because I'm actually good by any real metric.

So the next time you start to feel worthless, just look around at all the people you see around you and then make a comparative judgment. Hopefully, it help's. If it turns out looking around you makes you feel inferior, than just accept being a loss, but take comfort in knowing that at some point someone will look around and see how worthless you are and decide not to kill themselves as they decide they still have some bottom they haven't hit yet.

 

[Descalon]

I'm currently in the process of writing my dissertation. And everyone I've spoken to who's going through a promotion has had the feeling that they're frauds and wannabe's. Logic dictates that this is not true, just by sheer statistics, but still that feeling persists.

I personally believe it's healthy to have certain doubts about yourself every once in awhile; it makes you feel human and fallible and knocks your feeling of superiority down a few notches.

 

[Headsprouter]

Well, I reject nearly all compliments because I'm mediocre when it comes to almost everything, and I get really bitter because I look around me and see talented people who are able to express themselves in a way that will get them taken seriously, because they're good at it, and on top of that, they're probably socially good and attractive.

So grump grump grump. But you have art skills, you don't need to be like that. Art skills are the best skills, i've always thought. no matter what you like, you can proliferate it as much as you want, because you can create fanart...and visual stuff passes language barriers. it's a great way to express how you feel about something.

Writing skills...eh, too much middle man. You can never guarantee you're getting your point across. It's why movies based off books are never seen as good as the book, because people always interpret thing their own way when it comes to text.

And sadly, it's the only thing I'm even sorta good at, that and soaking up knowledge like crazy when it comes to my interests, but sadly that's only when it comes to useless video games...

As for negativity, it's good sparingly. A bit of self-doubt or criticism goes a long way, as does positivity.


This song makes it all better. Try all the time...

...in this institution...

As for prayer...I dunno. If you want, I guess. :L

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

There is no simple answer to this. However, with any form of creativity, it is often good to be negative. I hear people say constructively critical instead, all the time. But in practice, when it comes down to your own work, you will always be unfair in comparison to what you may think or say about other peoples creations. You will always notice the slightest flaws in your own, on bad days you wont accept them and will despise them. On good days you will be able to live with them and may even find them necessary as part of the whole.
Negativity in life in general isnt fun by any standards, but by fuck does it help create much deeper, meaningful work. Though an overindulgence, intentional or more often...not, in such darkness can lead to disconnection and insanity.
As an artist (for lack of a better word) myself, whether it be drawing, music, writing; i completely understand your issue. Its only very rarely that i feel confident enough to like what ive done or am doing. Mostly i always want it to be better...perfect. Even mindblowing. But until then everything is just practice. I hardly even keep what i create, either giving it away to those i like or even made it for, never seeing it again...or destroying it in moments of manic self hate.
On those more positive days, it saddens me to think how little i have to physically show for how much time and love i put into what i do. But then the negative comes along and i dont care again.
Perhaps what you should gain from this is that you shouldnt let negativity stop what you love doing. Maybe even learn to embrace it as a tool for creativity. And for gods sake, dont think that anything you have done wasnt worth doing. Consider it an emotional bookmark for your life that you can quickly flick back to in the future to realise just how much youve changed.
Inner peace out

 

[Ometochtli]

It only bothers me when someone is so extremely negative or positive that it starts to feel like they are becoming detached from reality.

 

[Esotera]

You can get pleasant surprises if you're negative all the time, for example I thought I'd failed a piece of coursework for university but it got back with marks of 73%, which I'm now over the moon about. But it is definitely a bad thing to be constantly negative about things, particularly if it's about your own achievements. In this internet age there will almost certainly be something better at you at everything, it's best to accept this and just do the best you possibly can at your chosen hobby. If you can react to constructive criticism and identify things that need improving, then there's no point in beating yourself up by being negative.

 

[Euryalus]

Yes... and no? It depends entirely on how you frame it. The problems arise when the things you're negative about are untrue, or you waste your time worrying about what you or other people think of you for having those flaws instead doing something to fix it.

Don't moralize shit or think you're worthless at whatever. Its a waste of time. You wanna be better? Then do things to get better. It's as cold and logical as that.

And for the latter sometimes you can't fix it, and if that's the case, then don't waste time worrying about it.

In the grand theme of schemes a lot of things really aren't important. You have a retarded looking cowlick? So? You're not very attractive? So? What of them? Does it really matter?

Relevant quote!

"If someone speaks evil of you and its untrue, laugh. If it is,correct it." -Epictetus

I honestly couldn't give less of a toss about your problems if I don't know you.

We love you too Grumpstar

Always expect the worst in things and to yourself. That way you'll be pleasently surprised at every turn ;o)

Not as fun in practice man. :/

Best to just not expect things and learn to take them as they come.

Knowing something shit is coming or expecting in can needlessly increase anxiety. It doesn't however make you any better at dealing with it.

"Moderation in all things."

Especially murder... wait... I think this aphorism may need to be tweaked a bit to work XD