When the Likes Don’t Come: Creating in the Silence

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how quiet it feels out there.

I post my art to Instagram. I film reels and time-lapses for TikTok. I have my own website, my own shop, and even offer print-on-demand services. But despite pouring hours—and heart—into everything I create and share, the response is often… silence. A few likes. Maybe a stray comment if I’m lucky.

It’s disheartening. Not because I expect thousands of followers or viral videos, but because when you’re putting so much of yourself into your work, that silence starts to feel personal. Like maybe what you’re making doesn’t matter. Or worse—maybe no one even sees it at all.

I know I’m not alone in this. I know so many creatives feel the same ache when their art disappears into the void of the algorithm. We’re told we need to “post more,” “optimize captions,” “jump on trends,” and somehow perform this exhausting dance between authenticity and what performs well. But sometimes, no matter what I do, the numbers stay low.

So why keep going?

Because despite it all, I still believe in what I’m making.

I believe in the power of art to connect, to soothe, to challenge, to inspire. I believe that even if a post only reaches five people today, it might mean something to one of them. I believe that building something meaningful takes time—and sometimes a long, silent stretch of it.

But I’m not just sitting still. I’m experimenting. Trying new formats. Updating my website. Talking more about the process behind the pieces, the story behind the work. I’m being honest with myself—and now with you—about how hard it is to keep sharing into the void.

Maybe this blog post will get lost in the algorithm too. Or maybe it will land where it needs to.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. You’re part of the reason I keep going. And if you’re a fellow creative feeling the weight of low engagement, I see you. You’re not alone, and your work matters—even when it feels like no one’s watching.

Let’s keep making anyway