If you’re a blogger, or a content creator of any kind, you know how easy it is to lose yourself and your sense of purpose in the competition of the social media world. At the snap of a finger (or a scroll of your screen), it can take over you, consume you with the endless pressure to do more, to be the best, to have just as many followers as that influencer you admire so much.
It’s so easy to get hooked on praise.
It’s so easy to find yourself fishing for more and more compliments, for approval that you do have what it takes and you’re not failing.
In fact, it’s so easy that sometimes you can’t resist it.
How do I know this?
Well…because that’s how I feel.
It was when I felt disappointed by the seeming lack of enthusiasm in one comment on my writing that I realized I was in trouble. The crazy thing is, the person was so sweet and just gave glowing feedback…but in that moment, it wasn’t enough for me. I was truly shocked by my disappointment, felt like I was the worst person on earth to not have been content with the praise I’d received. Who would be so greedy – *coughs* so needy – as to say “Mmm, not good enough” to kind compliments?
Well, I now realize lots of people would feel that way. No matter how selfless you are, you can probably relate, if you’re really honest.
You create something you’re honestly – and rightfully – proud of, you show it to someone, and when they don’t gasp and gush in awe and wonder at it… a subtle disappointment nags at your heart.
When your book doesn’t become an instant bestseller, you wonder why hers did and why yours didn’t.
When half of the world doesn’t stop to watch you and listen to what you have to share, you get depressed.
Honestly, we can all admit that sounds pretty pathetic.
In fact, you would most likely dismiss the over-dramatic display of awe, if you did get that, as insincere flattery. Even if everyone in the universe said you were the best and greatest at your craft, you wouldn’t believe it.
But you still want it.
Never Enough from The Greatest Showman comes to mind. Some probably find it uncomfortable to sing along with because, well, how on earth could someone be so bold as to admit that nothing is enough for them? But you know what? It perfectly captures the painful, strangely overpowering emptiness and need for something deeper that everyone, at some point in their life, will experience.
Towers of pure gold aren’t enough. All the shine from one thousand spotlights pointed at you isn’t enough. You could hold the world in your hands and it still wouldn’t be enough.
Maybe you’re not a very greedy person. But there will always be something in you that is NEVER satisfied with what you get, with your own efforts, with all you own, material and abstract.
It’s depressing enough to give up on all your dreams.
and so far this post is depressing enough to sink into a wormhole and never open your eyes again i apologize please keep reading
SO IN SPITE OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS APPARENTLY UNFIXABLE PROBLEM…
There is a solution.
It’s not focusing your attention and devoting your life to being loved and admired and popular. Because you will be disappointed. It’s not allowing yourself to be completely driven by the urge to have more followers and likes and views. Because you will be disappointed. It’s not hinging your sense of worth on approval from others. Because you will be disappointed.
Instead, it’s surrendering everything to God, surrendering your failures and your victories. Put Him ahead of all other desires, day by day, moment by moment. You don’t need anyone else to make you valuable, because you are made in His image and He has a purpose and intricately developed plan for your life. (Believe it or not, it’s even more amazing and complex than the plot you have for that poor unsuspecting character of yours.)
He knows your name. He knows you. That is enough.
In order to get rid of that depression which hits whenever you see the stagnant follower count or the disappointment you feel when you get praise that somehow doesn’t satisfy, you gotta remember that you don’t need approval from others. You can’t be dependent on their praise in order to feel valuable, or to believe that your story matters. As sweet as praise is, it becomes toxic when you being to depend on it for emotional support, and believe me, it’s soooo easy to do, but don’t.
It’s a choice you have to make.
And just like any good thing, it’s the harder of the two options you have. There’s no effort in addicting yourself to praise and attention. But the heartsickness that comes with it doesn’t make it worth it.
But if you do your best, then surrender and leave the results in God’s much more capable hands, you’ll reap the rewards of peace and true freedom. Let go and be okay with the fact that there will always be something metaphorically hanging over your head, like it says in Cimorelli’s song I Am Enough:
Cause I’ll never win, I’ll never be the best // there will always be something hanging over my head // But I let it go, my life goes on // I still exist, and I am enough
Because you’re made in God’s image and He’s given you everything you need.
Now, DO NOT GET ME WRONG. I’m not saying to not pay attention to your follower count, or strive to get better at your writing, or to reject any negative feedback since you’re already enough.
If you’re a writer and you have a story to share with the world, you need readers, m’kay? No one is going to read that masterpiece if they don’t know about you, honey. You should be working to grow your follower count, start a fanbase, all that kind of thing. Be ambitious! Improve your writing and be open-minded when it comes to feedback!
In fact, don’t take this post’s title the wrong way; I actually encourage you to make goals for subscriber growth and engagement with your content.
Just don’t make it your career goal, the motivation that spurs you on. You need to go deep and get to the root why your story (or whatever content you’re sharing) matters to you. Ask yourself, what’s the message you want to share with the world?
That’s a quick way to get past the shallowness, the dissatisfaction, the emptiness that comes of fixating on likes and views on your posts.
And my friend, I’m also not saying you shouldn’t enjoy the praise you do get. You FULLY deserve it after all the hard work you put into your projects! *gives you a hug* ❤
Just don’t rely on it. Because I promise you, it will disappoint.
But I can also promise you that the freedom, the joy, and the peace you find in Jesus will always be enough.
Can you relate to this or have I deceived myself and I’m actually totally alone in this? Have you ever felt like no amount of success could be enough for you? What is your purpose in the work you’re passionate about? What’s your favorite gif? 😀
Saraina Whitney 
Really great post, and something I needed to hear! Thank you for this!
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Aww, I’m so glad that spoke to you!! Thank you for reading!!! 😀
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Yes! Thank you so much for this post, Saraina. I love your honesty and your openness, because I think we’ve all been in that same spot whether we want to admit it or not. But when we turn our eyes upon Jesus and what eternally matters, things look a lot different. (Not to say it’s always easy to look at everything from the right perspective, but that’s another one of those places where the Lord strengthens us and upholds us with the right hand of His righteousness!)
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Ahh, thank YOU so much, Vanessa!!! <333 Yeah, it definitely seems like a pretty common problem. That's so true! (Haha, now I'm always reminded of Untold when the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus comes to mind. 😁 *happy sigh*) Amen, it's not always easy, but the Lord is faithful!
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Wow! That hit home…have you been spying on me? Lol…seriously I relate all too much with this post…it is sad and I’ve been trying to do batter but it’s so easy to get hung up on follower counts and comments.
I’m definitely right there with you…thank you so much for this amazing post and for being so open and honest! The truths your sharing are priceless! I really needed and enjoyed this post!
Thank you!
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HAHA! Weeell, I didn’t want to admit it, but I actually have been spying on you… 😜 Aww!! *hugs you* At least we can relate. Yeah, it’s so easy to get hung up on that, almost as if that’s what it was made for! 🙄 😂 (I really was writing that to remind myself of those truths just as much as others!) I’m sooo glad this was helpful, my friend!!
Thank you!!! ❤
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Lol…*hugs*so easy! It’s not like you want to wither it just happens. ❤
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Yes!! But with God’s help we can fight it! ❤
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Thanks for sharing this, Saraina. You’re definitely not alone in this struggle, and I needed to hear those reminders. 💜
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You’re so welcome – and thank you for reading, RuthAnna!!! 💜 Aww, I’m glad we can relate! (Well, not glad we have those struggles, but you know what I mean. 😉 😀 )
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This is so relatable and hits the nail on the head. It really is easy to get focused on the numbers and praise. Great reminder! Thank you for sharing
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YES! So easy! Aww, thank you for reading, Virginia!!!
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Amen, girl! Thank you so much for this post. It’s so true! It’s way too easy to turn to the world to fill us up, when the only thing that can truly satisfy is Jesus. I really needed this reminder today, especially since I tend to fall into the comparison trap more often than I’d like to admit. Thanks for being open and honest about this… I don’t feel so alone in my struggle now! Cheering you on and praying for you in your journey. Thank you again for the encouraging post! <333
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You’re so welcome!! Amen, you said that perfectly! Aww, well I’m so glad this came at the right time for you. ❤ Heh, you're definitely not alone. (I shall admit, I was kinda nervous to share it, but the good kind of nervous. 😉 😂) Thank you SO SO much!!! I'm praying for you and cheering you on too, Ava! <333
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Well said, Saraina. I would add that He is the only one we should write for. We need an audience of One only. When that happens, we can focus on why we’re writing–to glorify Him and not gain earthly accolades (think Colossians 3:17). That then trickles down into how we are able to address and view our human audience. It is only by His will that anyone will ever read our books in the first place. Instead of writing for praise, we need to give our stories to Him and ask that He use them however and whenever to further the spread of the Gospel.
Anyhow. Well said! It is so easy to become starstruck by numbers, whether social media, reviews, adds on Goodreads, etc., that we often lose sight of the real reason we’re writing. Thank you for the reminder. ❤
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Thank you so much, Madi!! Oh, AMEN. I completely agree!! Thank you for adding that point! We need to dedicate our writing to Him alone and focus on glorifying Him through our books rather than to gain praise or readers. Ha, yes, startstruck is the right word! *wry laugh* May we always remember Who we’re writing for!
Thank you for reading!!! ❤
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*hugs* I needed this. Thanks so much for this encouraging reminder, Saraina! (Yes, I can totally relate!) And I love that Star Wars gif lol.
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*hugs you back* Aww, you’re so welcome!!! Thank you for reading!!! ❤ LOL, I love that gif too – just couldn't resist using it! 😂
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Yo! That was a really good one 😀
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Yo! THANK YOU 😀 😉
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So, SO true. And you are definitely not alone. NUMBERS DO NOT DEFINE OUR WORTH, CHRIST DOES.
(And as for the gifs… I laughed out loud at “that’s not how the force works.”)
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Thank you, Emma!! And AMEN, girl!!!! (Hahaha!!! Mission accomplished! 😜Whenever I watch the movies and it comes to that part, I just crack up. It’s hilarious!)
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Dhaofbsofh YOU ARE SO NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO THINKS THIS!!!And if you do, I will smack you upside the head with my broom. 🤣🤣🤣 (Actually, I probably … Well, now that I think about it … 😏😏😏)
Thank you for this post, girl!! Man, why is it so hard to not want validation from people? 😂😂😂 *squeezes you back in a hug, since you gave the hug and I ain’t one to deny it … unless you’re a creep 😂 which you probably aren’t 🤣* ❤
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THANK YOU AMELIA!!!!!! Haha, I’ll believe you then! Wouldn’t want to get smacked with a broom. 🤣 (😑 Girl.) You’re so welcome!!!! I knowww. *hugs you back in the non-creepy hug ❤ 🤣*
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*cackles in Spanish, even if she doesn’t know how to exactly laugh in Spanish 😂* (¿Síííííí? 😁) And thank you for the non-creepy hug. 😂
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😂 ¡De nada, mi amiga! (That looks very incorrect but who knows lol… *smh* I did a few years of Spanish but that was a while ago so I forgot a lot, sadly.)
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Hey, that might actually be right!! You have the upside down exclamation point, the feminine form for friend … You’re good to go, sis! 😃😃 (I should reconvert you then. I’m currently learning it; so having somebody to converse with or at least … have basic conversing with … would be pleasant! 😁)
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*pats myself on the back* Whaddya know! YAY! 😀 Haha! (AHH YES! And I need to be reminded of all the things I forgot lol! 😀 )
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That Bilbo GIF is perfection. XD Wonderful post!! I really struggle with this (like more than I’d like to admit), and it was great to realize others do too. Thanks for the post!
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I know, right?!! He’s just perfect gif material 🤣 Thank you so much!!! Aww, you’re most certainly not alone in that struggle. 😉 Thank you for reading, Joelle!! 😀
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That is so true!!!! And by reading the comments, it’s obvious everyone feels this way.once in while. Great job!
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Lol yes, Bilbo’s awesome! *nods* TRUE. Thank you so much!!! 😀
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Wonderful reminder Saraina! Thank you!!
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Thank you, Grace!!! You’re so welcome – and thank you for reading!! 😀
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This is an amazing post, Sariana!! Exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you! I believe it’s important to have subscriber goals like you said but you shouldn’t let that define who you are or where you find your happiness. I do that sometimes. Thank you so much for this reminder! 💙
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Ahhhh thank you so much, Allyson!!! Aww, I’m so glad this resonated with you! 💙 EXACTLY. I think it’s important to have those goals but not let them be the thing in which you find your identity and happiness. 😉 You’re welcome, my friend! 😀 ❤
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SARIANA I LOVE THIS. Okay, but like I 100% relate to you on trying to seek your worth and value in other people’s praise and opinions. I’ve gotten so caught up in this in fact that there was a time in my life, I felt so utterly worthless because I thought my worth was equated to how good I performed. Whether that’s in school, blogging, writing, or anything I do in life. And to be honest, I’m still this way, but God’s been teaching me a lot about finding worth in HIM and not in me. So THANK YOU SO SO SO SO MUCH for sharing this post!!!! It was truly an encouragement to me!!! <3333 Also, I LOOOOVE that Cimorelli song!!!! It's so cool to meet another gal who listens to their music, as I don't usually find many people who know about them. *high fives* What's your favorite song from them?
Oh, and the Hobbit GIF was my fav. 😉
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AHHHH THANK YOU GIRL!! Aww, I’m so glad we can relate to each other in this, although I’m sorry it’s been a struggle!! ❤ YES! Our worth is found in God and not our accomplishments! You're so welcome!!!!! So glad it was encouraging!! 😀
*gasps* Oh my goodness you like Cimorelli too?!!! AHH!! *squeals* I've only come across like two people who know about them, outside of the whole CimFam community of course! 😉 😀 They're my favorite band, and so I have tons of favorite songs from them, but Alive and Hope for It are two of my favorites!! Do you have a favorite song of theirs?
*high fives* ME TOO! 😉
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Reblogged this on and commented:
Hello everyone! How’s Nanowrimo going for you? I’m working on several things this month and have been amazed so far how much I’ve been able to accomplish. But in order to do this, I spontaneously decided to only post here on Mondays… Sorry for not giving you that warning! But next month I’ll be returning strong so stay tuned for that!
For this first Monday, however, I’m reblogging an amazing post by Saraina Whitney! I absolutely love her blog and recommend you check it out. She always posts such amazing content! I hope you enjoy this post as much as I did… Enjoy!
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Thank you SO much!!!! 😁 ❤
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