by Devin Noir, Founder of Devil May Cry Tattoo
When you’re building something of your own, whether it’s a business, a brand, or a creative body of work, comparison can sneak in wearing a mask of motivation. It’ll tell you that studying someone else’s growth will help you grow. That measuring yourself against others will push you harder. But in reality, it rarely fuels creation. It usually just feeds self-doubt.
I’ve learned this the hard way, both as an artist and a business owner.
In the early days of my tattoo career, I couldn’t help but look around. At the artists whose techniques felt more refined. At the ones whose followings grew faster. At the ones who seemed to be moving with ease while I was still figuring out my voice. I didn’t realize at the time that comparison doesn’t just slow your momentum, it warps your perception of reality.
And in creative work, perception is reality.
What You See Isn’t the Whole Story
We live in a time when creators, founders, and entrepreneurs are expected to be visible. But visibility is a performance. Social media doesn’t show the missed opportunities, the moments of doubt, or the years of silent work that go into overnight success. It shows a highlight reel, edited for engagement.
When you compare yourself to someone’s public-facing version of their journey, you’re holding yourself to an illusion and punishing yourself for not measuring up to something that isn’t even fully real.
I’ve worked with dozens of people over the years who’ve told me, mid-tattoo, about their fears of falling behind. What they all had in common wasn’t a lack of talent. It was a lack of inner stillness. They were so consumed with tracking other people’s progress, they couldn’t hear their own inner voice.
Your Only Competition Is Who You Were Yesterday
There’s a myth that greatness comes from beating the person next to you. In my experience, greatness comes from beating the version of yourself that wanted to quit. That almost gave in to fear. That was tempted to imitate instead of innovate.
Every creative breakthrough I’ve had came when I tuned back into my instincts—when I stopped looking at the outside world for validation or permission and started creating what felt aligned with me. Not the trend. Not the algorithm. Me.
The truth is, your unique path can’t be replicated. And that means it can’t be compared, either.
How to Break the Comparison Cycle
Breaking free from comparison isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a practice, something you recommit to every day. Here are a few truths that have helped me keep my focus where it belongs:
- Limit your intake. If consuming certain content makes you feel smaller, turn it off. Curate your environment like your mental health depends on it — because it does.
- Create before you consume. Start your day by building something from your own mind before letting other people’s voices in.
- Celebrate small wins. If you’re always looking at how far you have to go, you’ll never honor how far you’ve come.
- Use envy as a mirror. When you feel jealousy, ask: “What does this reveal about what I want?” Let it inform you, not shame you.
- Remember your why. Trends fade. Popularity is fickle. But purpose is fuel that doesn’t run out.
Real Power Is Authentic
There’s a reason my tattoo studio is called Devil May Cry. I believe in honoring power and vulnerability, and truth and transformation. Real creative power doesn’t come from doing what others are doing. It comes from doing what only you can do.
If there’s one thing I could offer to anyone building something new, it’s this: the most dangerous lie you can believe is that you’re not doing enough, fast enough, well enough. That lie is born of comparison, and it’s the enemy of growth.
You are already enough. And what you’re building will become extraordinary the moment you stop looking sideways and start looking inward.
Devin Noir is a veteran tattoo artist and founder of Devil May Cry Tattoo, with over 7 years of professional experience specializing in Neo-Noir, Blackwork, Sigil Craft, Cyber Sigilism, and Engraver-style design. Devin is invested in supporting the next generation of artists, and currently mentors emerging tattooers and is exploring the development of a formal training program to help advance the craft and culture of modern tattooing.