A New Approach to My Creative Journey

Hello, dear readers! 

Today, I want to share a personal revelation:

I am a recovering perfectionist.

This isn’t a new revelation. But actively participating in my own recovery is a change. As a child, I remember facing the gripping fear of perfectionism. Perfectionists often struggle with procrastination. It is a strange irony. You want to accomplish something, but you live in a place where anxiety prevents you from even starting. Growing up, I always had a messy room, not because I wanted to live in a mess, but because I didn’t know where to start. And when I did start, I was paralyzed by any mistake or perceived misstep.

In the past, I would approach projects like this blog with rigid barriers and unrealistic expectations, which often led to guilt and hindered my creative spirit. This fueled the vicious cycle of procrastination.

This time I’ve decided to do things differently. I want to share my new approach with you.

Embracing Flexibility

To break free from the shackles of perfectionism, I’ve decided to adopt a more flexible mindset. There are no rules here. No boundaries. And no expectations to post regular content. Instead, when inspiration strikes, I will create for you. So, while you shouldn’t expect a blog post three times a week or even every week, you can rest assured that when I share something, it’ll come fueled by genuine inspiration.

Releasing Work When It’s Ready

Another important aspect of my new approach is to wait to publish a series or body of work until completed, or at least in a state where I’d be happy if I didn’t create any more. In the past, I have often shared my work too early in the process. While the reaction was usually positive, it left me feeling pressured to produce more on a strict timetable. It sparked my inner critic, who doubted that any progress would be as good as what I had already done. For me, this often kills my creative spirit.

I currently have several series in the works. You will see them once they’re ready. This approach helps me avoid setting expectations that could lead to the dreaded procrastination cycle.

Adapting and Evolving Along the Way

I fully expect my approach to change and evolve as I continue this creative journey. The key is to remain open and adaptable, learning from my experiences and fine-tuning my process as needed. By embracing this fluid mindset, I’m optimistic about its positive impact on my creativity and overall well-being.

Creating is a soul-healing endeavor for me. It is good for my mental health. It makes me better at everything else in my life. It makes me a better mother, wife, and teacher. I NEED to create. I need to create for myself and for my own soul. This new system allows me to be inspired and gives me the flexibility I need to explore new passions and paths.

So far, letting go of perfectionism and adopting a more flexible approach to my creative work has been a liberating experience. By shedding the weight of unrealistic expectations, I can now focus on what truly matters: the joy of creation and the connection it allows me to share. I look forward to embracing this newfound freedom as we embark on this exciting journey together. I hope my story might inspire others struggling with perfectionism to find their path to creative liberation.