Perfectionism: Why It Isn’t Important

I’m not perfect. And neither are you. First blog post of the New Year, and I’m talking about perfectionism. 

Perfectionism and the Backstory

Becoming a self-published author has literally changed my life. I’ve learned how to edit chapters and design covers (still very much an amateur). I’ve connected with a few readers and authors on social media. And, most importantly I’ve received constructive feedback. 

Yes, all of this sounds good in theory. And it’s been amazing. But, I’m still so hard on myself. I constantly want to do more. I started to feel like—I wasn’t moving fast enough. Feelings of inadequacy had all but consumed me. A need for perfectionism became a reality.

Until—I had an “aha” moment. 

Self-Realization and Perfectionism

Let me begin and say, you’re doing enough. You’re amazing. And, you’ll reach your goals. 

Now, those words took a long time for me to process. I’ve literally said them out loud numerous times. 

We, as authors, have a lot to do. We write, edit, and proofread. And for those of us who design our own covers—we learn graphic design basics. Add in marketing, social media, and life—and it can become overwhelming. 

That’s when the intruding thoughts on perfectionism come in.

“Am I writing everyday?”

“Have I posted enough on social media?”

“Have I perfected my craft?”

“Am I doing enough?”

And then comes—anxiety, self-doubt, and criticism. Those words often cause a “pause” in everything that we do. Don’t let those thoughts win. 

When you start to become wrapped up in your thoughts—take a breath. Remember why you started. And sure, it’s easier said than done—but don’t give up. The world needs to see your work. 

Learning to Balance it All

Ah, balance. Such a loaded word.

If you’re familiar with who I am, as an author, you know that I’ve been writing forever. 

But, in between writing and self-publishing, I also freelance. With clients, deadlines, and appointments I often lose track of time. 

Maybe you’re in a similar position. Maybe you’re a writer—with a 9 to 5. Or, maybe you’re a freelancer like me. Either way, I’m sure it sometimes becomes a lot to tackle. 

That’s where balance comes in. I’ve learned—you have to make your schedule work for you. 

Got a busy work week? Try and write on the weekends. 

Meetings? Family and friend obligations? Just simply need rest? Try batch days (I’ll write more on this later). 

Whatever method you choose—remember that it has to be realistic. 

Also remember—you do not have to be perfect. Your scheduling does not have to be perfect. 

Balancing your writing and life should not overwhelm you. It should make producing content, a lot easier. 

Evaluate Your Work Flow

So, you’ve had positive thoughts. You are balancing writing and life obligations. Things are going well on social media. 

But, you’re beginning to question everything. Again. 

This has happened to me. And, it’s one reason for my silence on social media. It’s another reason why I haven’t published since 2020. 

I had to remember why I started. I also had to remember—what I wanted to say. And who I wanted to say it to. I had to redefine the way that I was doing things. With that—came a lot of imperfectness. 

You have to remember—that your audience—whether big or small—is going to support you. They are going to understand that you’ll have breaks, pauses, and silences. 

You do not have to be perfect—and stick to a strict timeline. You have to be authentic.

Do Not Put Yourself in a Box

Being a creative—is so cool. We are writers, artists, photographers, and painters—the list goes on. We can literally take an idea, and make it into a work of art. It is such a beautiful gift.

But, sometimes we try and maintain a sense of perfectionism. At times, we try and stick to a specific medium or genre. This is beyond limiting. And we as creatives—should stop. 

When I decided to write a novel, I knew that I needed an audience. I knew that coming-of-age works would reach readers, young and old. 

I also knew that I needed to connect with readers, writers, and aspiring authors—so, I made a blog. And to network even more—I started an Instagram account. 

If you’re familiar with my insta—you see I now post a little bit of everything. Quotes. Photographs. Promo. A little bit of my life.

At first—I wanted to focus solely on my novels. But, I’m more than an author. I’m into a lot of different cool things. And, I wanted my supporters to see that. 

So, I removed myself from that stifling box. And now I post whatever I want. You should too. 

Yes, we have to market our works. Yes, we have to be professional. But—we are all individuals—and the world should see that. We are definitely more than the worlds, characters, and plots that we create. 

Let’s showcase that. 

Seek Supportive People

Sometimes the journey in creating art—is met with a lot of self-doubt. No matter the medium, it happens to all of us. 

Add in overthinking and a want for perfectionism—and the process can become overwhelming. 

That’s where support, feedback, and compassion comes in. Sure, we shouldn’t aim for perfection. But, sharing our ideas with loved ones helps put things into perspective. 

Trust The Journey

I want to reiterate—you’re doing great. What you’re creating, is amazing. The world will receive your art—sans perfectionism—the way that you intended.

Trust the process, and keep going.