My Unreasonable Jealousy
Jealousy Can Be So Destructive
Introduction
Over the past couple of weeks I have been seeing a lot of members of Vocal+Plus Assist getting Top Stories on Vocal, often multiple ones close together. I am over the moon for the people I know and maybe slightly peeved about others who are āVocal Favouritesā who seem to get Top Stories because of who they are but that is probably due to my own personal tastes. We canāt like everything and we donāt have time to read everything.
So Why Do I Get Jealous?
Itās not really jealousy, I do believe that is a hugely destructive emotion, although I have used it in the title of this piece and for this particular section.
The thing is I have had two Top Stories in November, now think about that. There are 700,000 creators on Vocal, not all of them active, but even one story a month as a Top Story must be way above average so I should not feel jealous of anyone. Some of my friends recently got their first Top Story and I am just expecting it to happen for me.
In reality I think that I have failed if I donāt get a Top Story, but I know I have produced something worth reading because of the feedback I get from my friends and audience in the various Facebook Vocal groups that I am a member of.
But it really makes me think of the many stories that I read and am in awe of, thinking I could never write something as good as that, and then see that these are not Top Stories when I think the should be, and then I realise that lots of my friends are not getting Vocal recognition for their work, although Vocal will argue that they are being paid for their story to be read and it is up to them to build their audience.
So How Do I Deal With My Jealousy?
I look at my own successes in my eighteen months on Vocal. I donāt know how many Top STories I have had and that says how privileged I am because I have lost count (I think Vocal should have a Top Story indicator and a read count on our Profile list as the normal Stats are flakey to say the least). I do actually write a hell of a lot on Vocal with an average of fifty posts a month so I maybe should not be surprised that Vocal moderators sometimes notice my articles.
I also take delight in seeing others get Top Stories and always try to congratulate them and share in their happiness, and I do love the praise that I get when I get a Top Story.
Conclusions
Going forward I will still get twinges of jealousy when I donāt get a Top Story and it hurts that I have never appeared on a Vocal Challenge list, but that pales into insignificance when weighed against the love, support and encouragement that I receive in the Facebook Vocal groups and from my friends.
Because of my continual Challenge failure I think I am the only Vocal creator who is not bothered when Challenge results are announced, and for me, that is a good thing.
I am incredibly grateful for the position that I am in. Not everyone can write about anything in any form at any time which I seem to be able to do. I have actually posted at least one post in every Vocal community, I am unaware of anyone else who has done that although some would say my posts must have not been very good, but they all have had a decent response.
I will finish with my poem about my favourite Facebook Vocal Groups.
Have a good day and do not let jealousy get the better of you. I included "Jealousy" by Todd Rundgren's Utopia as a soundtrack for this.
About the Creator
Mike Singleton š Mikeydred
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Comments (9)
You shouldn't be jealous. You've had quite a few top stories. I get what you're saying though. Sometimes I publish a piece that I am quite proud of and think it may deserve a Top Story, but alas it doesn't. Then I get one on something like Mashed Bananas, possibly the silliest thing I've ever written. I have no idea. Also, I now jealous that you got a comment from Vocal on your story. Well done.
This is so open and honest, Mike. Itās also totally relatable. I have also been on Vocal for 18 months and Iāve only had one top story. I donāt publish as much as some creators, but I have had so many times where I published a story and felt like I totally nailed it, and I kept checking the front page, only to be disappointed again. I am happy and excited for all of my friends in the Vocal groups when they get top stories or place in challenges, but I also feel like a failure because even my best efforts donāt seem to be good enough. I can take some comfort that there are so many creators that do such amazing work that also arenāt placing in challenges. I have to just imagine that my work would do better if I found the right audience. ā¤ļø
Writers are complicated creatures!!! only another writer could relate to the tornadoes of emotions we go through on a daily basis! Thank you for being honest and sharing your experiences!
I really enjoy this piece. As a new Vocal reader/ writer it gives me insight and reminds me to stay grounded and focused on improving my writing. Thank you.
We get jealous, too š Really appreciate all of your contributions to the platform!
I think we all get like that sometimes
I felt this! Iāve only gotten two top stories in the year Iāve been on Vocal. š It gets me down sometimes. But, since joining the vocal groups, Iām so happy to actually be getting my stuff readš„¹ I have a lot of stories on my page sitting at 0,0! I love Vocal but I do think there is some stuff that needs some tweaking. In the meantime, we can support each other :) Thank you for being honest and capturing the feelings of so many of us!
Thank you so much for your honesty, Mike! You are not alone - I, and I would think many, feel that same twinge, although I am over-the-moon when others get noticed - especially if I know them as friends! š¤
I love that you're such an honest, kind and genuine person! If you ever get jealous, it doesn't show. It's hard not be envious of the spotlight sometimes. I have a harder time not getting recognized in challenges than if I get a Top Story or not, but I'm working on that. And being part of amazing fb communities with people like you in it, makes all the difference. Great article :)