Grassy,
It seems like I have a lot of haters.  How should I handle them, and
the situation as a whole?

Thanks,
#1 Worldwide

#1 Worldwide,
There are no shortages of quotable opinions on the topic of “haters”,
but I’ll resist the temptation to flood this space with content edited
quotations from the likes of Katt Williams, Dane Cook or Manio.
Instead I’ll endeavor to provide original thoughts.

Much like bullies, Haters are a symptomatic development of insecurity
and self-loathing. The Hater’s brain is biologically incapable of
letting events, actions, artwork, etc. stand alone without comparing
to the entirety of creative thought. If you let a Hater read something
you wrote- “It’s not Hemingway.” A comic you drew- “I have a friend
who’s a ‘real’ artist.” No matter what the topic of conversation, a
Hater has seen it done better.

While I can certainly agree that it is obnoxious to deal with Haters
in daily life, I try to remind myself that the fault lies within
them. As frustrating and maddening as it can be to absorb criticism
from a Hater, we non-Haters always have the option to walk away. A
Hater can never escape their own hate. Just imagine the torment, the
horrifying insecurity that must develop from a true Hater’s
Inner-Hater hating them ceaselessly. Haters become proficient in
hating, by practicing on themselves.

Pity the Hater.

Haters see other people: taking risks, creating art, learning,
growing, aspiring; all without the handicap of comparison shooting
down their efforts before they begin. They see these things and they
hate them. What choice do they have? The only skill that a Hater is
able to cultivate is that hate. Without realizing it, they’ve
practiced hating themselves for so long that they don’t even recognize
it as hate when they spill it all over your hard work. Repurpose that
hate, aspire to do what which is “Hater Proof”- that’s what I do. It
may be impossible, but it keeps me motivated. If you have a lot of
Haters, take it as a sign that you’re doing something right.

Don’t Hate, Cultivate.
Grassy