Less Perfect, More Real
Unleashing Your Creativity by Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism might seem like a helpful trait for creatives, but honestly, it's more like a quiet enemy.You might think being a perfectionist means you have high standards, but really, it’s procrastination hiding behind fear.
It whispers, “If it’s not perfect, it’s not worth it,” robbing you of progress and joy. I get it. I still struggle with perfectionism sometimes, but I am learning not to let fear hold me back.
What you'll find in this article:
How perfectionism secretly keeps you stuck
My personal experience overcoming creative perfectionism
Mindset shifts to move past fear and perfectionism
How social media fuels unrealistic expectations
Powerful lessons from Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi, Ikigai, and Kaizen
Practical affirmations to embrace imperfection
Reflection prompts to inspire imperfect action
You don't need perfection to create meaningful, authentic work. Just start, flaws and all.
Real Talk: A quick personal story
I am a recovering perfectionist.
Ever since I was little, I dreamed of being a designer. Art and creativity were always my happy place, but they remained hobbies, never a career. Even after immersing myself in branding and logo design during the pandemic and realizing deep down this was my true passion, it still took me an entire year to share a single design project. Why? Because it never felt "perfect" enough.
The idea of starting my own creative studio felt even more overwhelming. I constantly convinced myself it wasn't the right time, I wasn't ready, I didn't know enough. "Just one more YouTube tutorial," I’d tell myself. "Just one more course, then I'll be ready." But the truth is, it wasn't really perfectionism holding me back, it was fear.
Eventually, life gave me no choice but to leap into the unknown (two years later, but that's a story for another day!). Honestly, I still wasn’t ready, but I did it anyway. It was hard, really hard. Clients didn’t magically flock to my Instagram. It wasn’t all just fun creativity and designing dreamy visuals. It involved a ton of admin tasks, setting up websites and portfolios, creating marketing strategies, and navigating social media (ugh). The stress was real. There were countless "fake it till you make it" moments, and things were far from perfect (they still aren’t!).
Looking back now, I'm incredibly grateful I took that leap when I did. I've grown so much in such a short time. But I can't help but wonder, "What if I'd started two years earlier?" I can't reclaim that lost time.
Perfectionism isn't about excellence, it's fear of failure in disguise.
It's not about eliminating fear; it's about doing "the thing" despite it. These days, I actively seek out that fear because that's where the magic truly happens. By embracing the uncertainty and vulnerability, I've worked with amazing clients and discovered genuine community. Sure, it’s still a daily mindset battle, but choosing to push through has made all the difference.
I hope you'll push through, too. The fear is worth facing, trust me.
Let's explore how you can move past perfectionism and fully embrace your creative potential.
Excellence, Not Perfection
There's a huge difference between excellence and perfection. Excellence is doing your best and feeling proud of the effort you put in. Perfectionism, though, is chasing something impossible, which only leaves you feeling stuck and frustrated. Action beats waiting every single time. Choosing progress over perfection will always move you forward.
How Perfectionism Keeps You Stuck
Perfectionism might look like careful preparation, but really it's just holding you back. You know the voice—it's the one saying things like:
“What if it’s not good enough?”
“I'll start when I'm ready.”
“I just need a bit more time to get it right.”
Let's be honest: when you're constantly tweaking and perfecting, you're not improving your work, you're avoiding the fear of criticism. This fear stops amazing ideas from ever making it out into the world.
Next time you're waiting for that so-called perfect moment, stop and ask yourself, “What's really the worst that could happen if I started now?” or “What might I actually gain by jumping in right away?” Perfection doesn’t protect you from failure—it actually limits your possibilities. Your flaws aren't signs of failure; they're the stepping stones to growth.
Social Media and the Comparison Trap
Social media makes perfectionism even trickier because everyone's life looks polished and flawless. Comparing your messy behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel isn't fair. Real creativity isn't about creating something flawless for likes or followers. It's about expressing yourself honestly, messily, and bravely.
Redefining Success and Self-Worth
Your value isn't measured by how perfect your work looks. True success is about having the courage to put your work out there, even when you're nervous or unsure. Celebrate every little bit of progress—because those small steps really do count.
How to Embrace Imperfection
So, what does it actually look like to embrace imperfection?
Start before you feel totally ready.
Let yourself make mistakes and learn from them.
Celebrate the progress you make instead of waiting for perfection.
Taking imperfect action is what truly leads to excellence. When you stop chasing perfection, you open up space for creativity, learning, and genuine success.
Wabi-Sabi: Finding Beauty in Imperfection
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese philosophy that teaches us to see beauty in imperfection and impermanence, and it’s a powerful approach for any creative. It reminds us that, as creatives, our work doesn’t have to be flawless to be beautiful or meaningful.
Think of your creative projects as living things. The person you are today is not the same person you'll be in a few years, and that's okay. Your art and your business should evolve along with you. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before sharing your gifts. Show up now, grow openly, and let people witness your evolution.
Wabi-Sabi also encourages you to work with your strengths. Rather than fighting against limitations, embrace them. Your natural abilities and even your constraints aren't setbacks—they’re part of your unique creative identity. Lean into these limits, push them, and you'll discover new opportunities you never imagined.
Finally, Wabi-Sabi reminds us to embrace the natural flow. Trust your instincts. Instead of chasing what's trendy or popular, let your creativity unfold naturally and authentically.
Kintsugi: Celebrating Your Creative Resilience
Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that repairs broken pottery by filling the cracks with gold, highlighting imperfections rather than hiding them. It shows us that flaws and setbacks don't diminish our worth—they add value, character, and strength.
As a creative, think of Kintsugi whenever you face challenges or criticism. Each setback isn't evidence of failure; it’s proof of courage, persistence, and growth. Those moments of difficulty are opportunities to create something even stronger and more meaningful than before.
Your creative journey will have bumps, mistakes, and imperfect outcomes. Embrace them. Highlight them. Celebrate how each challenge has made you stronger, wiser, and uniquely you.
Ikigai: Finding Your Creative Purpose
Ikigai is another beautiful Japanese concept about finding purpose through the things you genuinely love, are good at, and which give your life meaning. It reminds you not to chase perfection, but to pursue what truly brings you joy and purpose. As creatives, when we stop trying to be perfect and instead focus on the value and impact of our work, we naturally find deeper fulfillment and success.
Kaizen (Continuous Improvement): Small Steps Matter
Kaizen is the Japanese practice of continuous, incremental improvement—small daily actions rather than giant leaps. It helps creatives overcome perfectionism by emphasizing progress over perfection. Instead of being stuck waiting to create a masterpiece, Kaizen encourages taking small, manageable actions every day. It shifts your perspective from aiming for flawless outcomes to embracing tiny wins and steady growth.
Affirmations for overcoming perfectionism in your creative work:
My work doesn't have to be perfect to be valuable.
Progress is more powerful than perfection.
Taking messy action today moves me closer to the life I want.
Mistakes are proof that I'm growing, learning, and creating.
I choose authenticity over the illusion of perfection.
My worth isn't defined by how flawless my work is.
Done is better than perfect, every single time.
The fear is normal—I can do it afraid.
I'm allowed to evolve openly and authentically.
What I create matters, imperfections included.
I am committed to the process rather than the outcome.
I am willing to make bad work so I can make great work.
Confidence comes from action.
You've Totally Got This!
You don't have to let perfectionism control your creative journey anymore. By releasing the pressure to be perfect, you open yourself up to growth, joy, and fulfillment in your work. Be gentle with yourself, trust your creativity, and keep taking imperfect steps forward.
Take a moment to reflect:
What amazing idea have you been keeping hidden because it's not "perfect" yet?
How would your creative journey change if you gave yourself permission to mess up?
What would you start today if you let go of needing things to feel perfect?
How has perfectionism held you back from sharing your true self with the world?
If fear wasn't stopping you, what's the very first thing you’d do next?
In what ways can embracing imperfection actually improve your creative work?
What tiny action can you take today, right now, to move your ideas forward?
Book Recommendation:
The Gifts of Imperfection - Brené Brown
“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around, thinking it will protect us, when in fact it's the thing that's really preventing us from being seen.”