Leap of Faith: Creating Freely in a World Obsessed with Perfection
Introduction: The Misfit’s Dilemma
Have you ever felt stuck trying to make your art flawless? Torn between creating for yourself and creating for profit? Here’s the truth: You don’t have to choose. Your art can be both imperfect and impactful—perfect for the moment.
At M.I.S. Fit, we believe in embracing the mess, the chaos, and the beauty of imperfection. Because that’s where the magic happens.
The Trap of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a self-sabotaging trap. It disguises itself as ambition but leaves you stuck in the same place you’re trying to escape. It’s the voice that says, “It’s not good enough,” before you’ve even begun.
What does perfectionism look like?
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Visualizing Failure: You’re inspired, ready to create, but then you imagine every possible way it could go wrong. You’re already rejecting your art before it even exists.
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The Double-Headed Dragon:
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Busy Work: You distract yourself with trivial tasks instead of diving into the creative process.
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Overwhelm: You try to do everything at once—creation, editing, finalizing—instead of letting the process flow.
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As Elliot Aronson once said, taking a leap of faith is more important for progression—and for culture—than waiting for something to be perfect.
Art Is Therapy, Not a Trophy
Let me start by saying this: Everyone is an artist in their own way. Art is how we express what words can’t capture. Think about it. Someone can say, “I’m sorry,” and you might feel their sincerity. But when Chris Stapleton sings “I Was Wrong,” it hits different.
Art is the expression of the soul. It requires vulnerability—a raw, unfiltered part of you that feels natural yet uncomfortable. That rawness is what makes art powerful.
Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a journey, a process. Treat your art the same way. Both art and healing start with honesty. Let the moment be what it is. Allow your authentic self the freedom to speak.
Steps to Embrace Imperfection
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Visualizing Failure:
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I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve visualized plane crashes during takeoff. But until it happens, it’s just in your mind. Don’t let fear turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
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Ask yourself: What metrics are you using to define success and failure? Art isn’t a trophy. Not everyone will like what you create—and that’s okay.
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Busy Work:
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Set aside time for trivial tasks. Let chores be chores. Don’t use them as an excuse to avoid creating.
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Give yourself permission to just be. Live in the moment of creation.
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Post-Production Overwhelm:
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Figure out which tasks are essential and which ones you can delegate.
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For example, when I was making music, I’d get stuck thinking about mixing and mastering. I didn’t want to learn it—it felt foreign. So, I found people who could help.
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Handle each problem as it comes. Don’t take on more than you can handle.
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Growth Through Fresh Perspectives
Perfect it in the moment and share it. If your intention is to treat your creation as a gift to the world, then do it. Take feedback for what it is—someone else’s opinion on a subjective art form.
Remember, art is therapy. As you grow and make breakthroughs, your perspective will change. If you wait for “perfect,” you might miss the chance to share who you are right now. And who knows how many weeks, months, or years that could take? By then, you won’t even be the same person.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Imperfect Self
Your art doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be authentic. Let people see the soul of who you are. There are people out there who won’t know what’s possible until you show them.
Trust yourself. Trust the process. Take that leap of faith. Create, share, and seize the moment. The opportunity is yours. What are you going to do with it?
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