Comparison is the thief of joy. You cannot be happy for someone else if you are not happy.
As a former hater, it took a very long time to realize that the reason I was a hater to certain people was because I wanted to be where they were. When you are not content within yourself, seeing someone else where you would like to be can be upsetting because you feel that you should be where they are, not understanding that everyone’s journey is different.
The truth is that haters are fans in disguise. Why else would they be so invested in your life?
When you are not doing well in life, nobody cares to hate or be envious of you. Because nobody wants a miserable life, we all want to be successful, and when you are not, it upsets you to see other people being successful because you feel that is where you should be, not them. Success looks like different things to different people. Success to one person could be being a mom while success to another could be owning a business. Depending on your worldview, we all have a preconceived notion of what success is or looks like to us. Where haters go wrong is to look at someone else’s success and compare that to themselves, not taking time to appreciate their successes but instead wanting another person’s success.
What haters need is to heal, but in the entertainment industry, having haters is important. If you want to be in the entertainment industry, then you should be prepared to have haters. Why? Your success is going to upset others, especially those who think that they should be where you are. Always keep in mind that haters are not random people; they are simply bitter failures that are yet to heal, and you should use them to continue winning. As you continue growing in the industry, use your haters to promote your projects and accomplishments. That is what they are there for. Just don’t focus on the haters only.
Someone who is focused on themselves does not have time to hate. Haters are people who are not where they want to be, and it kills them to see someone else do what they have failed to do. Anyone who compares themselves to others could find themselves becoming a hater. But when you are focused on you, it is hard to worry about what others are doing.
The choice is yours; you can focus on you, or you can be mad that others have chosen to focus on themselves and found success. The people that hate Kenyan music have never made a song, let alone made a hit. That’s why it is so easy for them to type rubbish. It’s easy to think that someone else’s life is easy when you have not lived it. As an artist, do not let haters get to your head; see them as part of the journey and an indication that you are on the right path. It upsets people to see someone do what they cannot. People hate Kipchoge and cannot even run a 5km. People hate on artists and can’t even make a song. Those who can’t, hate, and those who do get haters. If you have haters, keep going and keep doing. Your success only hurts those who think they should be where you are. Those who don’t compare themselves to others and are happy with themselves will be your fans. Any real hater will tell you that they wish they were you, but remember, nobody wants to be you until you are doing well. You are not doing well enough if you do not have haters; work harder.