You’re a photographer. In between sending out your emails for the day and editing your photos, you browse other well-known photographers’ websites and blogs. You tell yourself it’s for inspiration. You start scrolling through the posts, “oooing” and “ahhhing” at each beautiful photo. When you’ve reached the end of each post, your mood has changed. Suddenly, you feel less than and start questioning yourself. “Why can’t my photos look THAT good?,” you say in your head. An overwhelming sense of self-doubt creeps through you as you go back to editing your photos. “That photographer is AMAZING, there is no way I’ll ever get to THAT level,” you think over and over again. The truth is, you’ve just entered into a very dark and negative thought process, one that I know many photographers (and other creatives) have experienced. I know this because I’ve been there and I can help you get out of it.

As creatives, it’s in our nature to want to compare ourselves to other creatives. When we stare at other photo blogs, wedding blogs and Pinterest we sometimes feel the twinge of self-doubt. Almost like a negative magnet that pulls you to judge everything you’ve created. But what we forget is that just because another creative is good at what they do, doesn’t take anything away from our talent. Instead of getting down on yourself, be happy for your fellow creative. When you stop focusing on what others are doing, you’ll find you have more time to make your own work look amazing!

If you feel like every time you check out another creative’s blog, you automatically go to that negative place, than it’s time to bring you back to a world of positivity and joy. Here are five ways to help you beat that funk, start enjoying other artists’ work, and feel great about the work you are already creating.

1. Close Your Web Browser
Instead of visiting tons of different blogs and websites each day, wondering what others are creating – invest that time into your photography! Close your web browser and start creating your own masterpieces. Do not worry about what someone else is blogging about today. Start perfecting your skills! Put all your time and energy into your art, you’ll feel better about the work you’ve created and you’ll see it start to blossom.

2. Stop Being So Hard on Yourself
We all started somewhere. Even those amazing photographers whose blogs you “stalk” daily. They had a beginning and they worked really hard to get where they are today. So do you! Don’t worry if you’re “not there yet.” Because, guess what? There is no “there.” This is a journey; a journey to learn from and enjoy. It’s about setting goals for yourself each day to achieve what you want. You’ll find that you will start crushing those goals and putting new ones in place, always getting better at your craft. With hard work and determination, you’ll get where you want to be. Learn as much as you can, work hard, and know that you are on your way. And maybe give yourself a hug for all the amazing things you’ve accomplished so far. You’ve earned it!

3. Reach Out to the Artists that Inspire You
If there is a photographer or creative that you really admire, tell them! It takes nothing away from you or your work to reach out to other artists. Congratulate them on all the beautiful work they’ve accomplished. By doing so, you’ll make their day, you can stop hiding and openly cheer them on, and you might even make a new friend in the process. All the photographers I ever admired, I reached out to. Even if it was as small as writing a little email or commenting on one of their photos. From those messages I’ve developed friendships with other photographers, attended workshops hosted by my favorite creatives, and learned amazing new things along the way!

4. Find Inspiration from Things Other than Photography
Nature. Catalogs. Cookbooks. Clothing. ANYTHING! There is beauty and inspiration in everyday life. Find the beauty in your life! I personally love going through catalogs like Pottery Barn and Anthropologie. Not for the photography but because I love what another artist outside my field is creating. This inspiration fuels my creative spirit and brings me joy along the way.

5. Take a Break
Sometimes the best medicine is to step away for a little bit. If you can’t seem to shake that negative magnet, leave it alone for a while. When I’m feeling down on myself or my work, I leave my desk and go outside. I hit up the trail right by my house and go for a 30 minute walk. Within ten minutes, I’m more relaxed. The breeze blowing through the trees and the happy people smiling at me as I walk by them puts me in an amazing mood. When you step away, you can recharge your positive mindset. Plus, all my best ideas come from me clearing my head, taking a walk, and not worrying about what others are doing.