How to Accept Feedback Without Getting Annoyed & Offended AF

I Had A Problem Receiving Feedback

I'm not embarrassed to say that a really good friend of mine has talked me off the ledge more than once (thanks, Diamond). Feedback can be annoying, offensive and just wrong.

Interesting feedback I've been given:

• "Can you make it pop more?"
• "I know I asked you to change that, but actually can you do the opposite?"
• "My 80-year-old grandma thinks it should be this way . . ."
• "I know this is my 100th message, but add this word here and take away this word."
• "I know I said clean and modern, but can you use these completely unmodern colors?"

LOL. I would go nuts with all of the back and forth and adjustments. And, I'm not gonna lie, I was offended AF! Like: "Why are you taking shots? I think this looks great?"

The Tea: How I Accept Feedback Without Getting Annoyed

A few years ago, Diamond gave me the most amazing advice. She said, "You are not your work". At least that's how I remember it. She's actually really good with life changing one-liners. One day i'll have to make a post of a list of all the amazing one liners she's said that changed my perspective.

Back to "you are not your work". I interpret this as: I design something and then I put it out into the world EXPECTING feedback. If there are no changes - cool. If there's a spreadsheet worth of edits - great. My work does not define my worth. I'm happy to grow. When I honestly look back, 9 times out of 10 it looks better. Making it "pop" does make the flier read better, removing words makes it cleaner, your 80-year-old grandma is smart as hell, and those non-modern colors add an unexpected depth to the design.

I give my work freedom to live it's own life.