Brother... I genuinely don't have words right now. I actually teared up reading this. 🥹
You perfectly put into words exactly what I have been battling with mentally. The imposter syndrome of using AI tools alongside manual editing is real, and sometimes it makes you feel like your effort doesn't count. Hearing someone as experienced as you validate the entire process—the generating, cleaning, organizing, and refining—means the absolute world to me.
I am going to frame this advice in my mind: 'Don't sell your work out of desperation, and respect your own work.'
Thank you for not just giving feedback on my assets, but for giving me the exact reality check and motivation I needed as an artist today. You are a true mentor. 🙏