my reply to a discussion question

[johncomic]

What motivates you to keep going with your work?

 

It took me a long time to realize that my work is something that I do for myself. If I'm just sitting around feeling down, then if I grab a pad and draw something, or a notebook and write something, then I invariably feel better, during the doing and afterward. It nourishes my spirit -- I dunno why I keep forgetting that it does, and need to keep re-learning that over and over. But so be it. Right now, I am in a space where I remember it, and do it.

 

TBH I have pretty much given up on my work really mattering or making a difference to anyone else. For many years I clung to that hope. But now I realize that I don't actually need someone else to validate what I do. I mean, it'd be nice, sure, but... the fact that it's good for me is all the reason I need to keep doing it.