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In 2024 I took Bonnie Christine’s Immersion course, and it launched me onto my current path. Originally, I didn’t join her Flourish community due to finances and a bit of overwhelm. However, recently I decided to join the revamped Pattern +, and along with the inspiration it brings, I’ve also noticed how easy it is to slip into comparison when surrounded by so much beautiful artwork.
Being a part of Bonnie Christine’s Pattern + community has been such a gift. I love popping into the group and helping when someone is stuck in Illustrator, answering questions I can help with, or sharing little tips I’ve picked up along the way. It feels good to be able to contribute, and I genuinely enjoy cheering others on in their creative journeys. I also enjoy the feedback from others on the work I am creating, and the access to monthly design briefs. I’m happy I joined and I feel the resource is a very valuable one.
The Trap of Comparison
Comparison is such a sneaky thing, isn’t it? On one hand, seeing other people’s work can spark ideas and motivate me to keep creating. On the other hand, it can feel crushing. Suddenly I’m not just looking at their work—I’m holding it up against my own and declaring myself “less than.” Bonnie refers to these a a “weed”, and that is a very accurate description. A weed can sometimes appear suddenly, even in a well maintained garden.
In a field like surface pattern design, it’s easy to feel like everything is a competition: who lands the brief, who gets licensed, who gets the most votes. And while those things matter, they don’t define our worth as artists.
Still, knowing that in my head doesn’t always stop the tug I feel in my heart.
What I’m Learning
I’m trying to reframe how I experience these moments. A few things that help me:
- Remembering my story. My artwork is shaped by my life, my experiences, and my perspective. No one else can create from my exact lens.
- Not every brief is for me. Some design challenges or licensing opportunities simply align better with other artists—and that’s okay. The right fit will come when it’s meant to.
- Progress matters more than perfection. When I look back, my skills have grown tremendously. Even if I don’t win a brief today, I’m stronger than I was yesterday.
- Small rituals help. When I feel comparison creeping in, I close my laptop, take a breath, or go back to my sketchbook. Creating without pressure helps me reconnect with why I love making art in the first place.
A Word for Anyone Struggling
If you’ve ever felt this way, I want you to know you’re not alone. Creative communities are inspiring, but they can also bring out our insecurities. That doesn’t mean you don’t belong.
Bonnie is right—there really is room for you. There’s room for me. There’s room for all of us.
I may not win every design brief or land every license, but I’m learning that my work deserves space simply because it’s mine. And yours does too.
So next time you feel the weight of comparison, remind yourself: you don’t have to be “better than.” You only have to be you. And that is more than enough.
✨ Do you ever struggle with comparison in creative spaces? How do you shift your perspective when it shows up? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
❤️ Kelly
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