Appreciated
“It doesn’t matter how many people don’t appreciate you or your work.
The only thing that counts is how many do.”
Kevin Kelly
Scrolling for likes or chasing mass approval is exhausting. That’s why I try not to do it anymore. Kevin Kelly’s line is a reminder that real, true, & meaningful connections will always beat getting ignored by the masses.1
A small group of real fans who understand and value your work will sustain you far more than a sea of polite passerby (who won’t ever really give you the time of day anyways).
Take Banksy. His work2 is not aimed at pleasing everyone; it’s aimed at provoking, surprising, and speaking to people who care about the message. Some viewers ignore or dismiss his pieces; others are moved enough to share, defend, and protect them. That devoted response (and not the universal praise that so many seek) is what gives Banksy’s work power and longevity.
For creatives, the lesson is simple: stop trying to seek out or to optimize for an impossible “everyone.” Find the people who resonate with your voice. Learn from their reactions. Serve them better. Their attention, feedback, and loyalty will sharpen your craft and keep you going when the rest of the world scrolls on.3
TODAY’s CHALLENGE:
Think of one real person or small group who responds deeply to your work. Maybe a mentor, a fan, or a friend. Today, send them something you’re proud of and ask one specific question: “What moved you here?” Use their answer as the seed for your next piece of creation.
If you were to sum this whole post up, the theme for today would be this: Focus on the people who truly appreciate your work. They matter infinitely more than the indifferent crowd.
Fewer indifferent eyes, more meaningful ones. That’s where real art grows.
The above quote is from Kevin Kelly’s book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I’d Known Earlier (page 157).