As creators, we often find ourselves tangled in a web of self-criticism. But what if embracing our imperfections is the real key to creative liberation and overcoming perfectionism?
Man – I am my own worst critic. My natural tendency is to find fault in everything I do and create, even if I can objectively see that it’s actually good. Some people would argue that this is a positive thing; that having this attitude makes one try harder, and get better.
Well, some people are dumb because I’m here to tell you that that is absolutely not the case.
The truth is – when I’m in a healthy relationship with my work, I create more, I draw more, I write more, and I’m happier doing it. When I thoughtfully review my work, celebrating its strengths and kindly critiquing its flaws, I improve. When I self-criticize (in a negative way) I usually just end up losing the will to do anything more at all.
The struggle with perfectionism
I believe that this attitude toward my creations is a result of perfectionism and a poor internal self-narrative. I actually do understand where both of these conditions originated in my life! But the real challenge is defeating them and creating new patterns of behavior to work around the hard-worn ruts that the wagon wheels of my brain-train keep falling into.
Yes, i know that this analogy falls apart almost instantly because trains belong on tracks but I just wanted to draw a brain-train.
I am uncomfortable with a lack of perfection in my own life. For example: this image is bothering me:
Why? Because the sphere of the lightbulb isn’t completely even. Even as I’m typing that out, I understand how absurd that statement is! That doesn’t change that it’s actually a pretty awesome 2-second illustration of a lightbulb!
Creative processes aren’t perfect. You cannot get perfect results on the first attempt, or the second, or the twenty-ninth. My desire and internal struggle for perfection hinder my ability to truly engage with something that I enjoy, and possibly even prevent me from feeling satisfied in life.
The beauty of every attempt
The creative process, whether a one-off project or a lifetime of growth, practice, and creation, is never perfect. Every effort is beautiful, from the most basic stick figure, to the most exquisite still-life. Why? Because each item that is created is a new reflection of the person who created it, of a process of creative expression, of a skill being enhanced and refined. Embracing this understanding is pivotal in moving beyond the confines of perfectionism, recognizing that the beauty lies in the journey, not just the destination.
Great artists don’t just sit down at a canvas and immediately have a finished product. They first work on studies, and sketches, and sometimes even writing. And then they sketch again on the canvas. Same goes for sculptors and writers. Even this highly introspective blog post goes through rumination, outlining, false starts, shelving, returning…
That’s the interesting part of this for me – when it comes to writing, I am far less critical of myself, and I embrace each step, instead of hating them. And as I write more often, I find myself less critical of the other creative pursuits that I engage in. Actively embracing the creative process and understanding the need for refinement, without the pressure of perfectionism, results in better written work. I can see this effect in real time, and I naturally begin to apply it to other endeavors, gradually overcoming the urge for perfection in all forms of creation.”
The role of reflection
More than just basic self-reflection, reflecting on previous works is an important part of improving skills. Looking back to what I have done in the past with an open, positive attitude allows me to celebrate what I have done well, and where I can improve on my process. I like to look back through pieces I’ve drawn, words I’ve written, routinely. This doesn’t just help me improve my skills, it’s helps me center myself, reminds me of where I’ve been, and helps me to focus on where I’m headed.
It’s more than just reflecting on my own work – I’ve also found that it’s vital that i spend at least a few minutes every day working through my own mental space. I’ve outlined a couple of ways I do that already but it’s also not uncommon now for me to take some time when I’m feeling run down, to spend some time exploring where I am mentally.
Cultivating a positive mindset
It can be incredibly hard to find the positive when working on creative tasks; all too frequently I can find myself obsessing over a line, re-working and re-drawing over and over until it’s completely hopeless. What I’ve found that works well – for me – is to create a policy of interruption. When I notice myself moving negative or obsessing over perfection, I’ll pause, find something in the work that I do like, and have a brief internal conversation about why that was a success. When I do this, it leaves no room in my thoughts for the hateful obsession, and I am able to move forward, often realizing that the ‘mistake’ is either not really a mistake, or actually adds character to the piece!
Self-compassion and understanding is vitally important to fostering a healthy approach to creativity and artistic works; they are essential for overcoming perfectionism. Without these tools, there is only despair, misery and loss. There’s enough hatred and vitriol in the world as it is, no one needs an inner critic feeding the fire of criticism.
Overcoming perfectionism
As I’ve navigated through my own creative struggles, I’ve learned (or, perhaps, more accurately, am still learning) that the key isn’t perfect, flawless works, but but overcoming the pursuit of perfectionism to find joy and meaning in the act of creation itself.
I really think that when we cultivate a positive relationship with our own creations, we nurture a space where creativity can thrive without the constraints of harsh self-judgement. Exploration and experimentation should be encouraged! We should strive to love what we create, and even celebrate the imperfections, recognizing them for what they are: the character and soul of the piece, a reflection of who we are, and milestones on the road to better works.
I invite you to join me in this journey of self-discovery, overcoming perfectionism, and creative celebration. Start by selecting one of your recent creations – it could be anything from a sketch to a written piece, or even a simple craft project. Spend a few moments reflecting on what you love about it, acknowledging the effort and thought that went into it. Then, share it with someone close to you or on social media, not for validation, but as a statement of pride in your creative journey.
What creation of yours can you look at today with a new, kinder perspective?
