Sewashree Boruah on criticism, projection and surviving the comments section

The comments section can validate you, frustrate you, and sometimes confuse you. Sewashree Boruah writes about learning how to deal with all three.

My relationship with my comments section has evolved significantly over time, and I think that’s mostly because I changed. Initially, I was extremely attached to it. I used to measure my performance based on the number of comments I received. If engagement dropped low, I’d feel low. If it was high, I felt validated. It was a very rocky emotional business model. But now it’s different. The comment section is louder, more chaotic, sometimes more toxic, but I’m calmer about it. Not because I don’t have feelings, but because I’ve realised something basic - your comments are reactions, not reality. They’re immediate emotional responses, not carefully formed truth. Once you truly understand that, it creates a very healthy path.

Learn, not believe

I do read comments, but I don’t treat all of them equally. When someone gives specific, thoughtful criticism, I pay attention. Well, sometimes, but mostly it's like “mujhe mat sikha na.” I probably need to work on that. But random negativity or name-calling? That’s just noise. Not every opinion deserves access to your nervous system. Many comments are written in passing, in bad moods or out of boredom.

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Navigating through toxicity

Comment sections tend to turn toxic very fast. It’s almost like crowd psychology; one harsh comment permits five more. You know, I’ve had moments where people said pretty wild things about me, even things that made me go “wait, what version of me are you watching?” Once, I heard people were calling me completely unhinged and comparing me to crazy stuff, and honestly, I didn’t even know it was happening until someone told me. That was surreal. But instead of spiralling, I joked about it. Humour helps me process things faster than outrage.

Negativity moves fast

Negative comments used to stay with me longer. Now they pass through quicker. Some still sting, I won’t lie, but they don’t stick like before. I’ve learned that being visible online automatically invites projection. People don’t just see you, they see their assumptions about you.

For upcoming creators, the best piece of advice I have is to stop building your self-worth inside your comment section. It might sound cliché, but use it as feedback, not as identity. Engage when you have the emotional energy, trust me, and step away when you don’t. You’re allowed to protect your mind. Ignore what you want or sometimes punch down.

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One more thing - make the content you actually want to make. If it’s unconventional and some people don’t get it, that’s okay. Not being understood by everyone is not a failure; sometimes it’s just originality in progress.

At the end of the day, I’m here to create whatever I want to, whenever I want to.

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