Music Mental Health Diary Entry Day 10: Why You Shouldn’t Fear What People Say About You in the Music Industry - Good or Bad

By Rich Steve Beck

I’ve spent hours obsessing over what people think of me. A comment on how I run my community, who I've recently liked or followed, which person I've added as a friend to network with, and critiques of how correct or incorrect my comments are on social media. But here’s the thing: worrying about opinions—good or bad—is a waste of energy. In an industry as subjective as music, people are always going to talk, and that’s not something you can control.

The Weight of Other People’s Words

For me, the hardest part about being in the music world is knowing that my work is constantly under scrutiny. Whether it’s a review, a social media comment, or feedback from a collaborator, I’ve let those words define me more times than I care to admit. You might feel the same way—like every opinion carries this immense power over your confidence. Does hearing someone’s take on your music ever leave you feeling like you’re walking on eggshells?

Why We Care So Much About Opinions

It’s human nature to want to be liked, but in the music industry, this need for approval feels amplified. I’ve chased validation through streams, likes, or compliments, only to feel empty when they didn’t come—or worse, when they did but didn’t satisfy me. You might find yourself doing the same, seeking reassurance that you’re “good enough.” But here’s the truth: no amount of external praise will ever replace the peace of trusting yourself. Does craving approval ever feel like a treadmill you can’t step off?

The Trap of Taking Everything Personally

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that not everything said about me—or my music—is actually about me. Sometimes, people’s opinions say more about them than they do about you. I used to spiral over a negative comment, wondering if it meant I wasn’t talented or if I’d made a mistake. But now I remind myself that art is subjective, and not everyone will resonate with what I create. You might notice the same pattern—how easy it is to internalise criticism as a reflection of your worth. Does taking things personally ever leave you feeling stuck?

Good Feedback Can Be Just as Paralysing as Bad

Here’s something I didn’t expect: positive feedback can be just as overwhelming as the negative. When someone loves your work, it’s natural to want to recreate that reaction every time. But chasing that high can stifle your creativity, making you afraid to take risks or try new things. I’ve felt that pressure—the fear of letting people down if my next project doesn’t measure up. You might feel it too, the weight of living up to expectations. Does praise ever feel like just another kind of pressure?

How to Stop Letting Opinions Control You

Over time, I’ve learned to take opinions with a grain of salt—both the good and the bad. For me, it’s about focusing on why I make music in the first place. If I’m creating from a place of authenticity, then other people’s opinions—whether glowing or harsh—don’t have to dictate how I feel about my work. You might find similar freedom in reminding yourself that your art isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. Does letting go of the need to please everyone feel like a relief—or a risk?

Finding Strength in Detachment

Detachment doesn’t mean ignoring feedback altogether. Constructive criticism can be invaluable, but I’ve had to learn to filter it—to separate the useful insights from the noise. You might find the same balance by asking yourself: Does this feedback align with my vision? Does it help me grow, or does it pull me away from who I am as an artist? Does learning to detach feel like reclaiming your power—or like losing a sense of direction?

The Freedom of Not Being Everyone’s Favourite

At the end of the day, trying to make everyone happy is a losing game. For me, accepting that not everyone will like my music has been incredibly freeing. Some people will connect with it, and others won’t—and that’s not only okay, it’s inevitable. You don’t have to appeal to everyone to matter. Does imagining letting go of the need to be universally loved feel like a burden lifted—or like stepping into the unknown?

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Rich Steve Beck is a podcaster (PMFC Global TV), pro audio engineer/producer community leader (Produce Mix Fix and Conquer), full Music Producers Guild member, and pro mastering engineer who's worked with platinum-selling and Grammy-winning audio engineers.

He is also on a huge journey discovering about his own mental health and has felt a calling, as a large music community leader, to be an advocate for open mental health discussions across the industry.

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It's good to talk x