Creative people need feedback. That concept cannot be argued at all. We need criticism. Constructive criticism. But sometimes, there is born a creative like myself who needs something else.
I've always been the sort of person who needed approval in life. Whether it was a job well done or a drawing painted, i needed that pat on the back. Unfortunately, despite glowing praises and accolades of attention one harsh word from any one remotely significant person had the ability to destroy me. I used to dwell on the negative comments more than on the positive ones. It was a flaw. It is a flaw. Thankfully, it is one of those things people normally cannot tell about me. I come forth as super confident, super positive super human to most people. Throughout college my work was always bold and my presentations extremely well delivered. I actually admit that myself. Arrogant as it may sound, it is the truth that my work was great. Not flawless, but great. I got rave reviews when my i presented my final college thesis. It was an ambitious project for an undergrad thesis but i did it. I pulled it off. One juror, though, remained unimpressed. He gave me an 80% as opposed to my other two jurors who gave me 92% each. I knew it was just bad luck, i knew not everyone can love a specific piece of work... but it bothered the hell out of me. My mother calls it a "Virgo" trait.
In six days i launch that undergrad thesis as a proper re-vamped coffee-table book. Again, i am putting myself out there to be judged, criticized, appreciated and...judged again by a bigger, meaner crowd. The entire creative industry of Pakistan. Life would be so much simpler if people were nicer. If their harsh comments were spoken in softer tones, if the world wasn't so eager to put other people down so that they can seem cooler. Where as one part of me is ridiculously excited that this book is about to be launched another side of me is bracing myself for the hideous and ugly comments i may have to hear. I never built that wall around me. I tried very hard to but i couldn't. I can pretend very well, that mean things don't affect me. But they do. A lot. More than they should. But where lies one weakness, lies one strength to pull one through it. And my strength is that i am great at moving on. No matter how profusely i hurt over broken hearts and broken promises, over lies and betrayal...eventually i move on and stop hurting. After sometime, i can actually smile at the offender and truly feel good about smiling at them.
Anyway,
this post has turned into more of a heart pour rather than my usual morally constructive posts. There is one moral here though; trying to please everyone may not always be a bad thing...not building a wall around you can be good too...at least you know you tried and at least you know you lived.

Will post after the launch now.
Wish me luck ppl! :)