Am I the only one who feels that my island is always inferior to everyone else’s?

[ConfusedDad]

I feel like after all the people who post their islands, people who invite me to their island, and my island is a freaking mess, I’m just sad. And although I have a plan for my island, I keep changing it because it feels too “basic.” Am I the only one??

 

[KazooSquirrel]

This is actually fairly common.

Just remember your game plan for your island and stick with it. Slow and steady!

Don't get so caught up trying to compete that you end up with an island that looms nice but feels hollow because you focused too hard on keeping up with the Nooks and not on thr fun of the journey! It's a mistake many make! (myself included!)

 

[Belle T]

It's the "grass is always greener" trap of human psychology. For a number of reasons--not the least of which is because as creators, we can point out the cracks in our own presentations that might fly under the radar to the casual observer--we are all our own worst critic. There's also a phenomenon where people can subconsciously convince themselves that things are more impressive simply because they belong to someone else. For example, you might find yourself impressed with the graphical presentation of a game on a friend's setup and then find it lacking on your own setup, even when both setups are more or less identical. It's just human nature to compare.

My advice is to see the things that you feel superior to your own and view them as sources of inspiration, rather than as indicators of your own lack of talent. Remember, these people didn't start off with an island that was a work of art; they had to build it up just like everyone else.

 

[Croconaw]

I just try not to look at other islands. Even just looking at inspirations, it’s hard not to compare. You just have to learn not to. My struggle was not knowing what to do. I lacked creativity and imagination. I wasn’t impressed with anything to try it with my island. I thought some things were cool, but I didn’t want to do it with my island because it didn’t vibe with me.

 

[QueenCobra]

I never really felt this way, since I'm new to the series and my primary focus was completing the museum. (Still not there yet lol.) However, I saw someone make a Hamilton-themed stage on their island and it was beautiful...! I wasn't jealous but it inspired me to do some more designing, like I painted one of those wooden cut-outs where you put your face for pics (don't know the name) with a sumo wrestler. (So when you stuck your face in, you became a sumo wrestler.)

However, I understand where someone COULD feel jealous, based on social media. I say go with whatever aesthetic you like, or design an object based on your interests. That way, you not only give your island a unique design, but it's something you can enjoy. (That's the whole point, right?)

 

[maria110]

I feel that way all the time. But I like my islands even if they are inferior. They don't have to be the best to be enjoyable.

 

[DarkSlayer1331]

I always feel like my island is so bland and boring compared to everyone else's. But then I think that I actually prefer playing on an island that's simple. The really nice islands are fun to visit and run around in and check things out. But to play every day, I just think that I'd be more annoyed trying to get to all the different areas, to find the fossils and catch bugs and all that. Keeping my island natural and basic ensures that I have maximum potential to be able to play, and that's the most important thing to me. The thing to remember is that everybody is different, so what the game means to each person is unique, and what we really want out of our islands varies.

 

[Crash]

i feel like this literally every single time i go on tumblr (or even here) and see some of the ridiculously gorgeous islands some people have made, and often they've finished it in like a few months whereas mine has been ongoing since launch day. i've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours on my island and i really love it, but it inevitably starts to feel lackluster the more i look at other islands. i think it's a really normal feeling to have since it's a game that revolves so much around creativity and encourages players to share their creations/designs with others.

the best advice i can give is what i've been telling myself since i first started playing animal crossing way back when - just take your time and enjoy the game for what it is. design your island for you, not for anyone that might visit. it's much better to take your time and really create something you love than to rush just to try and more or less compete with the others out there. not to mention that everyone's island was a mess at one point or another, even the prettiest and most impressive looking ones.

 

[LordSheep78]

You are just like me

 

[PacV]

Not the only one.

 

[GolguiAr]

All the islands I have visited so far were super crowded with stuff, to the point where navigation was quite difficult for someone who is not used to the layout of the island.
Is that what people call "beautiful"? It would seem so, because everyone seems to want to reach that level of display of items.
In some islands it is indeed iteresting to see what atmospheres they've created, but still, I would prefer a more simple island, where you actually have room to play. It feels more "natural". So, maybe ask yourself what goal you want to reach: display as many stuff as possible, or keeping it simple? Basic is good too

 

[Moritz]

I once made an island that was perfect in every way. Thematically on point. Looked amazing if I do say so myself. A really great island.
I hated it.

It lagged something horrid.
Because of my theme I lacked any creative freedom.
Every part of my island was so intrinsically linked to each other, if I ever wanted to shake up one area, I'd have to redo the whole island.

In the end, I just deleted it.
And when I went back to having an island that was just normal, all my issues were gone.
No framerate drops. Creative freedom was back. I could wear fun outfits again and not look out of place.
The game was fun again.

My experience isn't everyone's, but you might find that having that dream island is actually a nightmare.

 

[Clock]

It happens and it's one of my main sources of burnout

 

[honeyaura]

I always feel like my island is so bland and boring compared to everyone else's. But then I think that I actually prefer playing on an island that's simple. The really nice islands are fun to visit and run around in and check things out. But to play every day, I just think that I'd be more annoyed trying to get to all the different areas, to find the fossils and catch bugs and all that. Keeping my island natural and basic ensures that I have maximum potential to be able to play, and that's the most important thing to me. The thing to remember is that everybody is different, so what the game means to each person is unique, and what we really want out of our islands varies.

THIS. Before having to restart again (Switch went ), I decided to go simpler and gave myself the challenge of no terraforming as well (hopefully I stick to it lol). Less pressure, plus I found that a simpler layout made playing much more feasible. Plus, I personally can't handle the lag that comes along when a town is too busy.

And to anyone interested, here is a more "minimalist" approach (and many more out there)

 

[meltydoll]

Since the day one I always felt like I'm playing different game than everyone else just by looking how people had build their islands.

 

[kemdi]

I used to try to make my island look like everyone else's, but it was always too cluttered, too basic, too much copying, etc. I liked the game when I first started playing, but was so unhappy because I was trying to make my island into what everyone else thought was good. Eventually, I had to sit and think about what I wanted. I slowly started shaping my island according to what I liked and not what everyone else liked. Maybe some visitors thought my island was basic, but I didn't care, because it was what I wanted. After some time, my island really felt like mine, regardless of what anyone else thought.

The trick is to think about what you like and what you want, and slowly shape your island according those. If you constantly try to play how everyone else is playing, or try to like what everyone else likes, you're not going to enjoy the game, and will end up making yourself really unhappy in the process.