Thief of Creativity
Amber sunlight peeked through a nearby window as I stepped into my creative nook. I stood in front of a tall, handcrafted antique table. Similar to a rolltop desk, it opened up to reveal 6 quaint, little drawers—holding everything from acrylic paint to scrapbooking tools to my latest beads and charms. I stood quietly in front of this tall table in the afternoon light, selecting a few beads for my project. As I put together a new pair of earrings, my mind started to wander. I drifted back a couple years, to a different season of my life.
An Unfinished Project
My thoughts were interrupted by sunbeams stretching closer to me. They lit up my table and a crystal dish full of beads, each one catching and refracting the waning light. A glistening string of emerald beads captured my attention.
Ah, yes. The bracelet I never gave as a birthday gift because it wasn’t “good enough.” Have you ever done that? Have you ever stopped yourself from finishing something because you knew it wouldn’t be perfect? I wish I could say that was a one-time occurrence. As a creative, I want to make something beautiful that is also thoughtful and unique—something that holds a little piece of my artistic soul. The truth is I’ve abandoned many handmade gifts and creative projects, because I pre-emptively rejected them. But in all that time, who was my harshest critic? Not my loved ones, not my coworkers, not even acquaintances. It was the insidious specter of Perfectionism—the thief that stole my creative energy and left me with nothing but savage self-talk.
Another Approach
It often seems like being a perfectionist goes hand-in-hand with creativity. Maybe, in the right proportions, it helps us excel. But more often than not, it holds us back from even participating. I’ll finish that novel some day, when my dialogue is good enough. I’ll audition for that solo when my voice is stronger. I’ll pass on baking cupcakes because mine aren’t fancy enough. Do you notice something about this? These thoughts keep us from living in the present and actually enjoying it. And if you never give yourself permission to fail, or even try, you’ll never have the opportunity to grow your skills.
Remember, your life isn’t a perfect performance…it’s you playing in the sand. It’s you throwing paint on a canvas. It’s you dropping beads all over the floor. It’s you being your wonderfully authentic self.
Don’t waste a precious moment on what “should” be. Start creating. Put your heart into it—play, experiment, refine. Allow your art to fully take shape. Then let it go with grace. Give your homemade gift with pride and know that it represents a snapshot in time. Every creation will have its own life, its own fleeting moment in the sun.
Beads & Breakthroughs
Green glass baubles and glistening silver charms
Delicately strung in an elastic orbit,
Held together by a tenuous knot.
Perfectionism examined my handiwork and scolded, "Not good enough."
Her mantra was so ingrained, it almost passed for fact.
She demanded that everything must be flawless.
I threaded the bracelet through my fingers
and replied,
"Creativity has no flaws,
Only a promise to be real.”
The Logbook Prompt:
⚓Perfectionism loves to tell us “not yet.” What is one small, imperfect thing you're going to create this week just for the fun of it? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!
