If you’ve been following me for any time at all, you know that I’m a self-declared imperfectionist, and imperfectionism is a foundational concept when it comes to living a full-color, creative life.
But what does that mean, exactly?
It’s easy to think that imperfectionism means sloppiness. Settling for less than what we’re capable of.
But imperfectionism isn’t that at all, and I want to set the record straight about what imperfectionism is.
The other day I wrote a blog post about it, specifically aimed at my calligrapher readers, because ever since I started doing calligraphy again, after pretty much avoiding it for years, I’ve been struck by how much it brings out my perfectionist gremlins. Practicing intentional imperfectionism for the past few years is the reason I’m able to approach calligraphy again without becoming utterly frozen. So I figured other calligraphers could probably use a lesson in imperfectionism.
But of course perfectionism, and perfectionist paralysis, don’t just hit calligraphers. They hit all of us.
So today I thought I’d share what I wrote in that blog post on the podcast.
Click here to read the original post.
Get the Poster!
Quotes In this Episode
The purpose is joy.
Don’t beat yourself up, love yourself up.
When I can forgive myself for being human, and accept myself as I am, what other people think of me doesn’t have the same kind of grip.
Resources In this Episode
My 4th Annual Create & Incubate Retreat – August 17-21, 2016
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (that’s an Amazon affiliate link, fyi)
Creative Sandbox Manifesto, rule #2: Think process, not product.
Creative Sandbox Manifesto, rule #1: There is no wrong.
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, by Kristin Neff (aff)
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining me this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.
Also, please leave an honest review for Live Creative Now on Tunes! If you’d also like your voice to be heard on the show, leave your question as a voice message right here.
And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.
Subscribe in iTunes | Subscribe via Stitcher
Now go get creating!
PS — Pssst! Know someone who might benefit from seeing this today? Pass it on!
Get the Poster!
It’s a colorful, hand-lettered version of my Imperfectionist Manifesto, combined with my Creative Sandbox Manifesto, so you get two posters in one!
It’s ready for printing and posting on your wall where you can consult it daily (I sure do!) Just click the link to download: