Still an artist, but I’ve decided to stop trying to make money from it. I’m done trying to build a brand in a world that often feels indifferent. No more online commissions, requests, or Patreon pages—I’m not a business, and I don’t want to be. The constant pressure to market myself, to turn my passion into a product, has drained the joy out of creating. The online art world can be exhausting. It’s oversaturated, competitive, and often unforgiving. Algorithms dictate visibility, and unless you’re constantly churning out content or catering to trends, it’s easy to feel invisible. The hustle of self-promotion, the endless cycle of posting and hoping for engagement, can make you question your worth as an artist. It’s not just about talent anymore; it’s about who can shout the loudest or play the game the best. And honestly? I’m tired of playing.

This decision didn’t come lightly. It’s been a long, painful process of realizing how much of my mental health I’ve sacrificed in the pursuit of validation and financial stability. The constant comparison to other artists, the pressure to be ‘unique’ or ‘marketable,’ the fear of irrelevance—it’s all taken a toll. I’ve struggled with depression for years, and the online art world has only amplified it. The silence after posting something you poured your heart into, the rejection from potential clients, the feeling that no matter how hard you work, it’s never enough—it’s crushing. There were days when I couldn’t bring myself to create because the weight of expectations was too heavy. I’d stare at a blank canvas, paralyzed by the fear that whatever I made wouldn’t be ‘good enough’ to sell or gain traction.

But stepping away from the monetization side of art feels like a relief. It’s a chance to reclaim my creativity for myself, to make art because I love it, not because I need to pay the bills. It’s a way to protect my mental health and rediscover the joy that drew me to art in the first place. I know it’s not a solution for everyone, and I deeply respect those who can navigate the online art world without losing themselves. But for me, this is a necessary step toward healing. I’m learning to let go of the idea that my worth as an artist is tied to likes, followers, or sales. My art matters because it’s mine, and that’s enough.