[OP removed by author]
honestly you just have to post to get it out. either it sits for only you to see and remember or it goes out and gains life. what helps me is to remind myself of things that excite me about the project. is there a message or emotion i find important? does it say something about me or my abilities? are there choices i think are especially interesting? maybe people will connect to it the way i connect to other works? something's not "done" for me until i send it out, and this has been a huge source of motivation.
i'm admittedly new to atchan and its general sphere, but i've been involved with other creatives a good bit. sometimes the best way to overcome this fear is to make it a forced choice, or to recognize everyone else is up against the same hypotheticals and barriers you are. it's a fact people will see things that you did not in your work. it can be unfortunate, but it's also exciting, no? i'm sure i've connected deeply with works whose authors created them with something different in mind. and if people don't see what you're going for at all, then it's useful insight into what needs to change, what needs refining, what you can do differently in the future, &c. nothing like a death sentence.
and it's scary putting yourself out there! i think even those who share everything and anything are anxious. but as long as there is a culture of people engaging with art earnestly, your vision will be respected. this goes for conversation too--even if it doesn't earn a reply or anything, you're still building a presence, which everyone had to do at some point.
i hope i make sense, because i really do empathize. sharing my work helped build confidence in my abilities, which helped me get more confident in sharing my work, and so on. it's always ongoing. sometimes i have to imagine nice words ahead of time to get the courage (^^;
post it to nobody. i mean in the end really nobody cares that strongly about whatever you make. unless it strikes a chord with them emotionally, then they'll care a lot. but you have to let go of the pressure that you're putting on yourself because, seriously, no one cares. and that's a good thing. you can just do whatever the fuck you want and if people like it then yay and if they don't then oh well, you can keep doing it for yourself.
Sounds like you're missing out on some community -- I hope you can find some! It also sounds like you're a little antsy around the possibility of your stuff not making an impression on the people you admire. Is there anyone in your life who you think you could share anything with and they'd still love you or whatever?
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