"Praise and criticism seem to me to operate exactly on the same level. If you get a great review, it's really thrilling for about ten minutes. If you get a bad review, it's really crushing for ten minutes. Either way, you go on"

Ann Patchett’s observation invites reflection on the fleeting impact of praise and criticism. Human emotions are often tied to external validation, yet both compliments and disparaging remarks share a temporary effect. Positive feedback, such as a glowing review, can bring an exhilarating rush, filling one with pride or satisfaction. However, that feeling quickly dissipates; it lasts only a short while before daily realities set back in. On the other hand, criticism can be deeply discouraging, stirring self-doubt or disappointment. Yet, even this sharp sting fades with time.

What underlies Patchett’s point is the essential message that neither praise nor criticism should determine one’s sense of worth or dictate creative motivation. The excitement or pain brought on by external opinions is transient, worthy of note, perhaps, but not the axis around which life or work turns. Whether lauded or chastised, the day moves forward and the person must move with it. There is little permanence in these emotional fluctuations. The work remains, the process endures, and one must continue, regardless of the audience’s response.

This perspective carries a subtle endorsement of resilience and equanimity. It encourages a relationship with one’s work (or life more generally) that is rooted in intrinsic motivation, rather than extrinsic validation. Patchett’s wisdom suggests that making, writing, or living for the sake of external approval is an unstable pursuit, vulnerable to the unpredictable tide of others’ opinions. By treating both applause and censure as passing moments, neither to be clung to nor overcome by, one is free to return to the essential activity: creation, expression, or simply carrying on with life. Ultimately, both praise and criticism are part of the background noise; what truly matters is the perseverance to go on, undeterred by temporary highs or lows.