Perfectionism – Allowed to be Imperfect
Creativity Killer #1, Perfectionism
As I walk through the daily pieces of my creative business, some days come easier than others. Sometimes, I’m focused and on task and cranking things out. Then other times, I feel as though I’m slogging through mud while walking uphill in a snowstorm.
What makes the difference? Why are my ideas all exciting and energizing one day and too hard and unappealing the next day? What gets in the way of my motivation and kills my creativity? In this post, we’ll talk about the first of seven creativity killers and give ourselves permission to move beyond them.
What is perfectionism?
On a quick Google search, the dictionary will tell you that perfectionism is the refusal to accept any standard short of perfection.
But then, what is perfection?
And who sets the par for perfection? Think about it. Who defines perfect.
When I face my own perfectionism, I don’t meet my standards. In fact, even in the face of others telling me I did well, I don’t agree because I see the areas where I could improve.
Perfectionism shows up in varying degrees and you may have perfectionist tendencies in one area of your life and not another. I wander in and out of it all the time. It’s affected by how I’m feeling, who I’m surrounded by … sometimes, I think it’s affected by the weather. Whatever the environmental factors, my perfectionism varies in intensity from day to day and project to project.
When creativity and perfectionism mingle, defining perfect becomes even more difficult. Perfect leads us to believe there is only one way to create something beautiful or worthwhile and it amazes all who see it.
Even that statement squelches creativity because creativity is born of original and unique. People are born of original and unique. So that means, no likes or dislikes agree completely. No perfect truly exists in creativity.
How does perfectionism kill my creativity?
It shows up differently at different stages of the creative process.
- I fall for the belief that one result exists, captivating all who see it, and I paralyze in my search to find it.
- It keeps me hovering in the planning stage because ideas are fun but I don’t know how to pick the right one or the best one.
- Perfectionism mocks me as I learn because learning naturally carries a level of mess and ugliness.
- I struggle to know when something is done and my work becomes sprinkled with never-ending projects.
So, it’s real. How do we move past it?
Perfectionism isn’t easy to beat, but some things help me loosen up when faced with the rigid monster.
- Ignore it. Be brave and share your work anyway. Who cares if people see you learning. Maybe they need the reminder that life isn’t perfect.
- Try abstract art or play with a few techniques instead of working on a detailed project. Check out these posts to get started.
- Choose to be a beginner. Try something new and let yourself be new to it.
- Read Allowed to be a Beginner.
- Try some Easy Calligraphy.
- Set a time limit to push through your personal critique. It’s okay to evaluate your own work realistically to look for areas where you can improve, but if it turns negative or stressful, it’s time to step away. Do something completely different. I literally move away from painting and into writing or go for a run until my mindset clears a bit. Then, I go back to the work with fresh eyes and a new perspective.
- Take a step back. Sometimes, I’m simply too close to the work. I see all of the wiggles in my thin calligraphy upstrokes and all of the misplaced smudges in my watercolors. If I take a step back, some of those things disappear into the bigger image, adding character rather than a glaring mistake.
When I work, I look closely at my project and see all of the little imperfections, like this watercolor blob. 
When I step away, sometimes the “imperfection” adds to the feel of the whole piece rather than taking away from it.
- Finally, if you can’t get past yourself (even if you can but you need another perspective), then ask someone else. Remind them you appreciate honest feedback and promise not to get upset … and then don’t. They gave you what you asked for, helpful feedback not criticism.
I hope this helped you identify the pieces of perfectionism that affect you and your creativity and I hope that you have some tools to face it when it appears.
You’re allowed to be imperfect.
Just don’t stop being creative. We need your unique contribution.
Happy creating!
Joanne Groff
Just a brainy creative with a fascination about how people think and understand. I use watercolor and letter design to encourage connection ... with self, the environment, and especially the people who live there.
