2|24|25Hello, Gem. How’s your heart? I pray it’s thriving. Let me tell you what’s been on mine.
For the Love of It x K.M.
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Let’s be honest, most of us have, at some point, craved recognition for the things we create. Whether it’s writing, painting, building a brand, or just pouring our hearts into a passion project, we secretly hope someone will see it, love it, and validate it. But Gem, what happens when the applause doesn’t come? When the likes are low, the sales are slow, or the world just isn’t paying attention? Do we stop? Or do we keep going simply because we love what we do?
Research shows that external validation can be both a motivator and a trap. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that when people focus too much on external rewards, like praise or recognition, their intrinsic motivation—the joy of creating for its own sake—actually decreases. In other words, when we rely too much on applause, we risk losing the passion that made us start in the first place.
Think about it: some of the greatest Black artists, writers, and visionaries created their best work without widespread recognition—at least not in their lifetime. Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God was overlooked during her time but later became a literary classic. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s art was often misunderstood before gaining the recognition it deserved. Even Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American poet, had to defend her work to skeptics. Yet, they kept going, because the work mattered more than the response.
Let’s not sugarcoat it, though, Gem. Creating through silence is tough and sometimes painful. We live in a world where success is often measured by visibility… or else people will start deeming you and your contributions to the work irrelevant. Social media conditions us to seek likes, shares, and engagement as markers of worth. If we let numbers define our art, we lose our magic.
Here’s what happens when we detach from the need for recognition:
Freedom in Creation: When you’re not creating for an audience, you create for yourself, making it raw, unfiltered, and true. You never know who needs that from you and whose life you will impact by pressing forward.
Authentic Growth: You improve because you love the craft, not because you’re chasing validation.
Longevity in Passion: Those who create for the love of it are more likely to stick with it long-term. It makes you unstoppable no matter what.
Gem, if you’ve ever felt discouraged by a lack of recognition, you’re not alone. You know we will always remind you of that. Here are some ways to push through and keep doing the work:
Remember Your Why: Ask yourself why you started. If the answer is deeper than applause, you’re on the right path.
Detach from the Outcome: Your art and work are enough. Whether one person sees it or thousands, it has value. Period.
Create Rituals, Not Just Results: Build a practice around your creativity. Show up for it daily, regardless of who’s watching.
Celebrate the Process: Growth happens in the quiet moments. Every project you create is a win. Your passions matter beyond recognition.
Poet Nikki Giovanni once said, “Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts.” The same is true for our creative work. The success isn’t in how many people praise it but in the fact that we did it at all—showed up, created, and honored the gifts we were given.
So, keep going.
Write the book, paint the canvas, start the business, craft the vision.
Do it all without waiting for someone else to tell you it’s good enough. It already is, and you need to jump on board with accepting that mindset!
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Share this blog with fellow creatives and encourage them to keep sharing their beautiful art and minds with the world.
Until next time, keep creating, growing, and showing up for yourself. -K.M
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