Finding Acceptance in the Music World (and Why You Don’t Need It to Keep Going)
Creating music in the public eye — especially in the age of YouTube and social media — can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. One day you gain subscribers, the next day you lose a few. One song gets a burst of views, another (usually a favorite LOL) seems to vanish quietly into the void.
It’s impossible not to feel those ups and downs. It’s human.
But over time, something becomes very clear: even the most iconic, critically respected, beloved musicians in the world have faced doubt, silence, and discouragement — sometimes from the very people closest to them.
When I started digging into what artists I admire have been through, it changed how I saw my own journey. It reminded me that rejection or indifference isn’t a sign of failure — it’s just part of being a creator.
Here are some of the most grounding, eye-opening quotes I found:
On feeling misunderstood or “too different”
“They laugh at me because I’m different; I laugh at them because they’re all the same.” — Kurt Cobain
On emotional highs and lows
“I could go from feeling like I can do anything to feeling like a piece of shit.” — Chris Cornell
If Chris Cornell — Chris Cornell — felt that way at times, then the emotional swings we feel as independent creators make perfect sense.
On refusing to make music you don’t believe in
“The label wanted us to be more commercial, and I refused. I couldn’t make music I didn’t believe in.” — Jeff Martin, The Tea Party
This is especially one of my favorite bands. There’s apparently constant pressure to chase trends, polish things into something “popular,” or conform to what others think will perform better. I heard a quote one time, I don’t know who said it, ‘Jesus Was a Non-Conformist’. I feel like this very much applies to this topic and a good affirmation.
On people telling you what you should be
“It’s so hard to keep anxiety away when the world keeps shouting what you should be.” — Eddie Vedder
On your personal circle being slow to support
“When you start doing something different, the people closest to you won’t understand until everyone else does.” — Trent Reznor
“People that know you personally are always the last to support you. It’s weird, but it’s true.” — Billie Eilish
This is something almost every creative person quietly discovers. Silence doesn’t mean they don’t care — it means they don’t know how to react….they in a way are ‘too close’ to it. Even minimal or minor success.
On criticism, and change
“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area.” — David Bowie
“People will leave. They will criticize. That’s the cost of doing something unique.” — Maynard James Keenan
“You can lose a hundred fans for trying something new, but you’ll gain one who truly understands you. That’s worth it.” — Trent Reznor
On feeling not good enough
“Every day I think, who am I fooling? But I keep going because the music means something to me.” — Chester Bennington
“Sometimes the only person who believes in the song is the one who wrote it.” — Chris Cornell
On walking your own path
“A strong spirit transcends rules. Make your own path.” — Prince
“You can be the most amazing artist in the world and still someone will say you’re terrible. So you might as well do what you love.” — Freddie Mercury
On growth happening in the right time
“Trust in God’s timing. Even a dream deferred isn’t a dream denied.” — Johnny Cash
“Real success takes real time. When you rush it, you ruin it.” — Lauryn Hill
So what does this all mean?
It means you’re not behind.
You’re not strange.
You’re not failing.
You’re creating — and creation has always come with resistance.
If even the legends faced discouragement, criticism, silence, and doubt, then your experience isn’t a sign you should quit.
It’s a sign you’re on the same path every real artist walks.
And at the end of the day, the only thing you truly control is this:
Make the music you love.
Make it because it matters to you.
Make it because it’s your voice.
Make it because it’s what you’re called to do.
The rest — the views, the subscribers, the recognition — will come in their own time.
And when they do, you’ll know you stayed true to yourself.