Perfectionism and Creativity: How to Embrace Imperfection and Unleash your Creativity as an Artist

Creativity often seems like a delicate dance between inspiration and execution. For many artists, perfectionism is synonymous with creative block, endless tinkering with details and, in the most extreme cases, a complete reworking of a piece they have just finished.

In other words: perfectionism, which initially serves as an incentive, becomes an obstacle, a sort of golden cage that prevents us from fully appreciating what we have created with our skills. It makes us feel inadequate when compared to other artists on social media and creates a sort of fear of sharing our own work unless it appears flawless.

I’ve experienced this whole process first-hand, and if my brother hadn’t persuaded me nearly four years ago to set up an account where I could publish my first fluid art pieces, I probably would never have found the courage to do so.

It was almost like a challenge to myself to step out of my shell, and even though I wasn’t 100% convinced at first, because I regarded the creative work of others as ‘unattainable’, I have to say now that it was the best thing I could have done. I agreed to share my ‘imperfect creativity’, and in return I was able to observe and learn from the experienced artists, developing along a long path almost without realising it, and thus giving free rein to my true creative potential.

In this article, I aim to explore how letting go of perfectionism can spark creativity and help me grow as an artist.

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Why perfectionism can be a golden cage for creativity

Perfectionism, understood as a genuine drive to avoid making mistakes or leaving anything imperfect in what we do, can be seen as a positive tool for self-improvement, as it spurs us on to push our limits and better ourselves.

However, if it gets out of hand or becomes a full-blown obsession, perfectionism can turn into a gilded cage, leading us to

• develop a fear of failure: we are so afraid of not achieving an aesthetically perfect result when we compare it with other similar works that we allow ourselves to be discouraged before we even start, or feel blocked from completing projects we have already begun because we convince ourselves that they will not live up to expectations.

• Being overwhelmed by a mechanism of ‘overthinking’, where we mull over the technique or the colours to use until we are exhausted, thereby losing sight of the ‘big picture’.

• Imposing unrealistic standards on ourselves that make us doubt ourselves and our abilities.

In reality, creativity should not be a source of stress, but a safe space where we can let ourselves go without imposing anything on ourselves, and accept our imperfect spontaneity.

It is also important to remember that behind every perfect piece of work lie hours and hours of labour, perseverance, dedication and dozens of unseen failures that have all contributed to the creation of the finished work we hold up as a benchmark.

How accepting imperfection stimulates creativity

Accepting imperfection does not mean lowering our own standards. Rather, it means that we are human and, as such, we make mistakes from which we learn and through which we grow.

We need not be ashamed when we make mistakes. On the contrary, we must have the courage to take the plunge and show the world what makes us special and unique, regardless of others’ judgements.

When it comes to the creative process, it is about finding the strength within ourselves to pick up any creative tool, use it, and create whatever our heart or mind has imagined in that moment, and then show it to the world without worrying about any imperfections it might have: What we regard as mistakes and flaws are, in reality, details that, as a side effect, lend the work an extra touch of originality and could define a personal style.

Freeing oneself from the prison of perfectionism brings further benefits, such as:

• An incentive to experiment constantly: we will no longer be afraid to try out new techniques for fear of ‘ruining’ our work.

• Failure will no longer be a burden, and every setback will be an opportunity to explore new avenues.

• Our focus in the creative process will shift to the end result as a whole rather than the details, meaning that each piece of work will require less time and energy.

• The feeling of being freer when we put our emotions down on paper or canvas, at the expense of the (sometimes photographic) precision of the work.

Practical tips for overcoming perfectionism

Take small (and more realistic) steps

Instead of striving for perfection straight away, draw up a sort of roadmap that breaks the process down into several stages, with the sole aim in each stage being to complete it to the best of your ability. Celebrate progress rather than perfection.

Set yourself time limits for completing the creative process

Encourage spontaneity by setting time limits that prevent perfectionism from taking over. If you set yourself a time limit, it will be harder to give in to that instinctive urge that tempts us to alter the finished work more than necessary, at the risk of ruining it irrevocably (this has happened to me more than once).

Learning to accept ‘ugly’ art

I am convinced that the term ‘ugly’ is subjective. A work of art or a creative piece that seems ugly or insignificant to us may be beautiful to others and hold deep meaning. That is why we must allow ourselves the freedom to experiment. Often, works that initially seem rough around the edges can give rise to new ideas or inspiration. Let yourself be inspired by new ideas.

Don’t wait until the end of a project to form an opinion

If we seek constructive feedback from those around us during the process, it can help us improve and make the imperfections in our thinking seem less significant.

Consciously focus on the creative moment

Practise mindfulness and focus on the joy and sense of personal fulfilment that come from what you are doing, rather than on the need for perfection. The creative process should be a source of calm and relaxation, not another cause of stress.

How to find a balance between perfectionism and creativity

Perfectionism and creativity are not necessarily opposites. On the contrary: the key lies in finding a healthy balance, so that the spontaneity of the creative process is not stifled and perfectionism becomes merely a tool for improving technique. You don’t have to abandon all standards in order to be creative.

The role of self-compassion in creativity

Another aspect of accepting one’s own imperfections is the role of self-compassion – that is, the ability to treat ourselves kindly when we fail or when our work falls short of the (unattainable) standards of perfection we have set for ourselves. Learning self-compassion is a key factor. Only in this way can we control or curb the anxiety that overwhelms us when we make mistakes and remain motivated in our art.

Final thoughts

Perfectionism isn’t a flaw, but it becomes one as soon as it stifles our spontaneity and restricts the creative process. If, on the other hand, we learn to accept our imperfections and use them in a healthy way as a tool for personal growth and improvement, it can be an ally in our lives – whether we’re artists or not.

And what about you? Are you perfectionists like me? Let me know in the comments.

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See you soon.

Laura