We live in a culture that prizes the finished product — the perfect painting, the flawless photo, the sold-out show. But creativity doesn’t live in finality. It lives in the messy middle, the unexpected detour, the imperfect stroke.
“Art is the journey of a free soul.” — Alev Oguz
Letting go of the outcome means shifting your gaze from what you make to how you make it. It means sitting with uncertainty, welcoming mistakes, and finding beauty in the unfinished.
Why Outcome-Orientation Blocks Creativity
When we fixate on success, we invite pressure and fear of failure. A 2018 study in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts revealed that outcome-focused artists experienced more creative blocks and lower satisfaction with their work.
Perfectionism constricts creativity. It tells us to censor, edit, and stall. Yet, creativity is an unfolding process—one that requires patience, trust, and permission to be flawed.
“There is no must in art because art is free.” — Wassily Kandinsky
Embracing Imperfection: The Art of “Wabi-Sabi”
The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi teaches us to find beauty in imperfection and transience. It’s a reminder that cracks, fades, and asymmetry give character and soul to art—and life.
Applying this to your creative process means:
· Letting marks bleed or smudge
· Welcoming unexpected colour blends
· Celebrating unfinished sketches
· Seeing “mistakes” as new directions
How to Let Go Gracefully
1. Focus on Process, Not Product
Set time goals, not outcome goals. For example, “I will draw for 15 minutes” rather than “I will make a perfect portrait.”
2. Use a “Mistake-Friendly” Medium
Try charcoal, ink, or watercolour—media that encourage spontaneity and flow, not control.
3. Create with Playful Intention
Shift from creating to impress to creating to explore. Ask, “What if I try this?” instead of “What if I fail?”
4. Practice Self-Compassion
Remind yourself that every artist’s journey is full of stumbles and surprises. A kind inner voice helps dissolve fear.
The Freedom in Letting Go
Paradoxically, when you release the need for perfection, your creativity flourishes. You invite curiosity, risk, and discovery.
As artist Mary Oliver wrote, “You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.”
This softening is the heart of mindful art—a practice that embraces the present, the imperfect, the beautifully human process of making.
Brush Hour Prompt:
Create a piece without planning. Let your hand move freely. If you “make a mistake,” add to it or let it be. When finished, sit with the piece for a moment and notice what surprises emerge.
This is something that really challenges me. I find it so hard to let go, to relinquish control. And really, this is where the magic happens. It is something I've struggled with my whole life, for the reason I get incredibly anxious. Experiencing some sense of control, be it checking my finances, tidying, etc, can really help with my emotional regulation. So, with this in mind, letting go isn't easy at all! Still, despite my own struggles, it's well worth doing, and as difficult as I find it, it's a brilliant thing to do.
Letting Go: Embracing Imperfection in the Creative Process.
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This post is a collaborative effort between AI and myself in order to help me work a bit faster.
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