Comparison is the Thief of Joy | Artist VBlog

Comparison really is the thief of joy — and lately, I’ve caught myself doing far too much of it.

Since leaving my corporate career to become a full-time artist, I’ve been incredibly lucky to spend my days doing something I genuinely love. But somewhere amongst the painting, markets, commissions, exhibitions and constant question of “what’s next?”, I realised I’d started measuring my progress against everyone else’s. Their sales, their exhibitions, their opportunities, their version of success.

And the funny thing is, I’m not even sure I want what I’m comparing myself to.

In this latest Artist Diary, I’m taking you behind the scenes as I work on a dream Japan commission, head out plein air painting at Paint Knutsford — with a rather lovely surprise at the end — and take some time to think about my own North Star. What do I actually want this career to look like in 2027 and beyond? And, perhaps more importantly, what don’t I want it to become?

It’s a slightly more reflective one about comparison, money, creative burnout, ambition and remembering to play the long game. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why everyone else seems to be further ahead, I think you might relate to this one.

Grab a coffee and have a watch below — and I’d love to know how you quieten your own comparison gremlin.