If you’re just starting your artistic journey, there is one thing you should be aware of. It’s the killer of all things creative, and that’s perfectionism. Mostly because it’s an excuse to procrastinate, but in the following paragraphs, I’ll show you several reasons why you should stay away from so-called “perfectionism” habits. Ok. Let’s get into this.

There’s a dangerous myth in the creative world—the idea that in order to be taken seriously, to be successful, or to be “good enough,” your work must be perfect—every line crisp, every color harmonious, every word profound, every idea refined.

But here’s the truth: Perfectionism is the destroyer of creativity.

Not the protector. Not the motivator. Not the high standard you need to live up to. It’s the thing that stops you from ever really starting. The thing that whispers, “Not yet. It’s not ready. You’re not ready.” And in that delay — that endless polishing, that constant self-doubt — your creative fire begins to die.

Let’s unpack this — and more importantly, let’s learn how to break free from it.

1. Perfectionism Kills Momentum — and Momentum Is Everything

Creativity doesn’t thrive in stillness. It thrives in motion—sketching quickly without thinking, writing messy drafts, and following weird, playful ideas to see where they lead. But perfectionism stops that motion in its tracks.

Instead of finishing a painting, you’re redoing the same corner for the 12th time. Instead of launching your product, you’re redesigning the logo again. Instead of posting that video, you’re analyzing the lighting for the hundredth time.

The work never gets done. It just gets delayed.

Remember: done is better than perfect. Because done teaches you. Perfect teaches you nothing. One piece completed is worth more than a hundred ideas that never leave your notebook.

2. Fear Replaces Curiosity

At its core, creativity is about curiosity — asking “what if?” and “why not?” It’s about exploring, experimenting, playing, and risking. That’s where originality comes from.

But perfectionism doesn’t allow risk. It only allows control.

Suddenly, you’re not exploring anymore — you’re protecting yourself. You’re afraid to try something new because it might not work. You’re afraid to push boundaries because someone might not like it. You’re afraid to be bold because bold means vulnerable.

The result? Safe work. Predictable work. Work that’s technically fine — but has no soul.

And you know it.

3. You Never Feel Good Enough — No Matter How Good You Get

Perfectionism creates a bar you’ll never quite reach. Even if you do finish something, you find the flaws. You obsess over what’s wrong instead of what’s right. And no matter how far you come, your inner critic moves the finish line.

This constant sense of “not good enough” is exhausting. It leads to procrastination. Burnout. Sometimes it even leads to quitting entirely.

Because why bother, right? If it’s never going to be perfect, what’s the point?

Here’s the point: creative greatness comes from authenticity — not flawlessness.

The world doesn’t need more “perfect” work. It needs real work. Brave work. Flawed, quirky, one-of-a-kind work that only you could make.

4. Your Unique Style Lives in Your Flaws

Think about your favorite artists, writers, musicians. What do you love about them?

It’s probably not that everything they make is pristine, symmetrical, and technically flawless. It’s probably the imperfections that make their work so alive: the scribbled edges, the unexpected word choices, the raw emotion, the human fingerprints.

That’s where style lives. That’s where originality is born.

When you try to be perfect, you erase your quirks. You smooth out your edges. You round off the parts of you that make your voice different — and suddenly, your work becomes just another echo of what’s already been done.

Perfectionism makes you boring.

But flaws? Flaws make you unforgettable.

5. Perfectionism Turns Art Into a Job Interview

When you’re in perfectionist mode, you no longer create for joy, expression, or connection. You create to impress.

You’re thinking, “Will they like this? Will they approve? Will they judge me?” Your creativity becomes a performance instead of an exploration. And that performance pressure is a killer.

The most powerful creative work happens when you stop trying to be impressive — and start trying to be real.

Forget what’s trendy. Forget what’s popular and forget what the algorithm likes.

Ask yourself: What do I want to say? What do I want to feel? What do I want to release into the world?

That’s the only compass you need.

6. Mistakes Are Where the Magic Happens

Some of the greatest ideas in history came from mistakes. From happy accidents. From going off-script.

Creativity isn’t about control — it’s about response. It’s about what you do when the paint bleeds, when the sentence doesn’t work, when the plan goes sideways. Perfectionism avoids all of that. It avoids the mess. But the mess is where the breakthroughs happen.

Make something ugly. Make something weird. Make something so bad it makes you laugh. That’s where the good stuff is hiding. That’s where your growth lives. And that’s what will make you authentic.

7. The Process Should Light You Up — Not Shut You Down

Why did you start creating in the first place? Was it to impress someone? To be perfect?

No. You started because it lit you up. Because it gave you a voice. Because it helped you breathe.

Perfectionism turns that joy into pressure. It takes something that should feel like freedom — and makes it feel like a test you can never pass.

But here’s the good news: you can let that go. You can create because you love to create. You can show up messy. You can share something half-finished. You can be imperfect — and still be powerful.

In fact, that’s when you’re at your most powerful.

8. Perfect is Never Perfect

Perfect for whom? Even if you make the most perfect artwork, many people will probably hate it. They’ll think it’s trash or unworthy. So why not give it a rest, do it the way you want, and have fun?

Some Advice from an Art Teacher

My Intro to Art professor once told us, “Hold your pencil like it’s a wand. Yes, like Harry Potter. This is how you will draw from now on. And if you need to move your body to make your pencil angle the way you want it, then do so. This will create a style that is uniquely yours. It will not be perfect, but it will be your own.”

Ever since then, when I draw, I hold my pencil like a wand and embrace my flaws.

Your Imperfections Are Your Superpower

Perfectionism doesn’t make you better. It only does one thing: it makes you more anxious. It shrinks your ideas, silences your voice, and strangles the joy out of your work.

But when you let go of perfection? You start to grow. You start to take risks. You start to sound like you. And that’s what the world needs — not another “perfect” project, but your truth, flaws and all.

So be bold. Be messy. Be brave enough to be unfinished.

And create anyway.