There’s a moment right after a drawing flows effortlessly – sparked by a reference that arrived at just the right time – when the temptation to share is huge. It feels like joy, like connection, like a win that wants to be seen.
Sometimes, especially with a quick sketch, sharing right away does amplify that joy. It’s light, playful, and there’s no real risk (aside from Instagram censorship, of course).
But when a piece goes deeper – when it feels like the start of something more personal or revealing -sharing too soon can flatten it.
Like opening the oven before the bread is ready.
I’ve noticed that those premature shares give a hit of dopamine—but often at a cost:
- The motivation disappears
- The work stops evolving
- The sacred moment becomes content
It’s not always easy to tell when it is the right moment to share. Art isn’t baking. There’s no timer to say, “Okay, now it’s safe to open the door.”
Am I withholding something meaningful from my audience and my model?
Am I denying myself a needed boost of confidence?
Or am I protecting something that’s still in the delicate stage of becoming?
So lately, even at the expense of staying “active” or “relevant,” I’ve started keeping more of the process to myself.
I miss some of those dopamine highs – but now there are less “abandoned children” along the way – I’m able to finish most of what I start. And when I do share, it feels truer. More whole.
