The thing you’ve spent years learning — training, struggling, practicing, honing — someone’s going to come along and critique it. Without invitation, without credential, without empathy … they’ll offer an opinion.

And that’s OK.

You don’t have to take it personally. You don’t have to take it at all if it doesn’t suit you.

Your goals, aspirations, and tastes will align with some, but not with everyone.

Listen to what helps. Politely ignore the rest.