Perfectionism: The Lie That My Art Has to Be Flawless

Perfectionism is sneaky.

It wears the mask of high standards, of caring deeply, of wanting to do your best. But underneath that mask, it’s fear. Fear of judgment. Fear of not being enough. Fear of failing in front of people who might be watching.

I know, because I’ve been there many times.

There are times I’ve stared at a drawing for hours, erasing and redrawing the same tiny detail, not because it was wrong—but because I was afraid it wasn’t perfect. I’ve finished pieces and still held them back, waiting for some magical moment when they felt “ready enough” to share.

But here’s what I’ve learned: perfectionism doesn’t protect your art—it prevents it.

Some of my most heartfelt pieces weren’t the most polished. They were the most honest. They carried emotion, connection, and warmth—not flawlessness. And that’s what people remember.

So now, I try to focus on feeling, not flaw. I ask myself, “Does this piece say what I want it to say? Does it move me?” If the answer is yes, then I let it go. I trust that it will whisper love the way it’s meant to.

Because art isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence.

With Love

Nancy