Letting Go of Perfect: My ongoing journey through Perfectionism

If you’re an artist—or a creator of any kind—you’ve probably met perfectionism.

It shows up quietly at first. You want to get the details just right. You care deeply about your work. But before long, that caring turns into something heavier. Suddenly, you’re stuck erasing the same line over and over. You’re hesitant to share anything that’s not “finished.” You start second-guessing every creative decision, and the joy slowly gets replaced by pressure.

I know this feeling all too well.

As someone who pours my heart into each animal I draw, I want every detail to feel just right. I want the emotion to be clear, the lines to flow, the soul of the scene to shine through. But sometimes, that desire for excellence crosses into perfectionism—and instead of helping me create, it holds me back. I avoid my desk; I post nothing online. I go down the rabbit hole of comparison to other artists and their fabulous work.

The truth is, perfectionism doesn’t protect us. It doesn’t make us better.

It keeps us frozen. It drains the joy from the process.

And it convinces us that unless something is flawless, it’s not worth sharing.

But that’s not what art is about.

Art is about feeling.

It’s about showing up honestly.

It’s about telling a story with heart, even if there are a few smudges along the way.

So if you’re struggling with perfectionism like I do, here are a few gentle steps I’m learning to take; because Yes I’m still working on it:

5 Heartfelt Steps to Help Let Go of Perfectionism

1. Start before you feel ready.

Perfectionism often waits for the “perfect time” to begin—which rarely comes. Don’t wait for confidence. Start with curiosity. Start with what you have. Start with a messy sketch and let it grow.

2. Remember that done is better than perfect.

There will always be more you could tweak. But sharing a finished piece—flaws and all—lets you move forward. Progress over perfection. Expression over hesitation.

3. Focus on the feeling, not the flaw.

Ask yourself: Does this piece make me feel something? That’s what matters most. Your art doesn’t have to be technically perfect to move someone. Emotion is what connects us.

4. Limit your “fixing” time.

Give yourself a gentle boundary: "I’ll let myself make adjustments for 30 minutes, then I let it go." It creates space to reflect without spiraling into endless editing.

5. Celebrate the courage, not just the outcome.

Every time you share your work, you're being brave. Celebrate that. Perfection isn’t the goal—authenticity and connection are.

If no one’s told you this lately:

Your art doesn’t have to be flawless to be powerful.

It just has to be yours. Real. True. Honest.

That’s what people feel when they look at it—and that’s what makes it beautiful.

Let your art whisper love, not perfection.

With heart,

Nancy