Somewhere along the way, I stopped chasing perfection, and started chasing magic instead. It was a subtle shift, imperceptible to most, but for me, it was the difference between feeling constrained and feeling free.
I used to strive for flawlessness in every brush stroke and every line on the canvas. But as I pursued this unattainable ideal, I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated and uninspired.
It wasn’t until I realized that perfection was an illusion that I was able to let go of that need to control every aspect of my art. I began to see beauty in imperfection, and to appreciate the unexpected moments of spontaneity that came with embracing the unknown.
I stopped trying to force my art into a predetermined mold and instead allowed it to take on a life of its own.
I stopped worrying about what others might think and started creating from a place of authenticity and vulnerability.
Perfectionism is boring. Like a perfect instagram picture, we have seen way too many these days.
I discovered the magic that had been there all along. The magic of a brush stroke that captures a fleeting moment of emotion. The magic of a melody that stirs the soul. The magic of a performance that transports an audience to another realm.
Now, I approach my art with a sense of wonder and curiosity, eager to see where it will take me. I no longer chase perfection, but rather the magic that can be found in the imperfections. And I know that in doing so, I will continue to grow and evolve as an artist, always striving to capture that elusive essence that makes art so special.
10 signs perfectionism is blocking your creativity
- Procrastination: If you find yourself constantly putting off starting a creative project because you’re afraid it won’t be perfect, you may be letting perfectionism get in the way.
- Fear of failure: If you are afraid of making mistakes or failing, you may be less likely to take risks and try new things in your creative work.
- Over-editing: If you spend too much time revising and editing your work to make it “perfect,” you may be stifling your creativity and preventing yourself from exploring new ideas.
- Rigidity: If you feel like your work has to fit a certain mold or follow strict guidelines, you may be limiting your creativity and preventing yourself from experimenting with different approaches.
- Lack of satisfaction: If you are never satisfied with your work and constantly feel like it could be better, even if others praise it, you may be letting perfectionism get in the way of enjoying and appreciating your own creativity.
- Self-censorship: If you are constantly second-guessing your ideas and worrying about what others will think, you may be censoring yourself and not allowing your true creativity to shine through.
- Lack of experimentation: If you always stick to what you know and what you’re comfortable with, you may be missing out on new and exciting creative possibilities.
- Inflexibility: If you are too rigid in your creative process and refuse to deviate from your original plan, you may be missing out on opportunities to explore new directions and ideas.
- Comparison: If you constantly compare your work to others and feel like you’re not measuring up, you may be undermining your own confidence and creativity.
- Overthinking: If you spend too much time analyzing and overthinking every detail of your work, you may be getting bogged down in the details and losing sight of the bigger picture.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself, it may be helpful to take a step back and reassess your approach to your creative work. Remember that creativity is a process, and that making mistakes and taking risks are all part of that process. Focus on enjoying the journey and expressing yourself, rather than getting hung up on achieving perfection.
Check out my post about find your artist’s temperament here: https://yingmclane.com/find-your-artists-temperament/
Cheering you on!
Ying
