Ah, perfectionism, the silent killer of creativity, the sneaky saboteur of every writer’s dreams. It’s that little voice in your head that says, “No, that sentence isn’t perfect yet,” or “You can’t move on until this paragraph is flawless!” It’s the devil on your shoulder that criticizes every word before it’s even on the page.
Perfectionism is like that annoying friend who always has to one-up you, but instead of being a person, it’s a mindset. It’s the belief that everything you do must be flawless, without error, and up to impossibly high standards. It’s the reason you’ve been staring at the same sentence for an hour, desperately trying to find a better synonym for “ecstasy.”

Perfectionism is like that annoying friend who always has to one-up you, but instead of being a person, it’s a mindset. It’s the belief that everything you do must be flawless, without error, and up to impossibly high standards. It’s the reason you’ve been staring at the same sentence for an hour, desperately trying to find a better synonym for “ecstasy.” It has the power to immobilize you in its clutches.

The Comedy of Errors

One of the great ironies of perfectionism is that it often leads to more errors. You see, when you’re so fixated on getting everything absolutely right, you start second guessing yourself and every decision you make, and almost inevitably become paralyzed. Your creativity goes on vacation, and you’re left staring at a blank page, wondering why the words won’t flow. In your quest for perfection, you miss out on the joy of chaotic creation and forget that writing is a messy process. It’s okay to make mistakes; that’s what editing is for!

The Time Bandit

Perfectionism also has a tendency to steal your precious time. You can spend hours, days, even weeks obsessing over a single sentence or paragraph. Meanwhile, your unfinished novel gathers virtual dust, and your deadlines inch closer. It’s like trying to sweep the Sahara Desert with a toothbrush. Time is a limited resource; don’t waste it chasing an unattainable ideal.

The Creativity Killer

Imagine your creativity as a wild and carefree stallion, galloping through the meadows of your imagination. Perfectionism is the lasso-wielding cowboy who tries to rope it in and tame it. The result? Your once-vibrant ideas are now corralled, dull, and lifeless, or to timid and fearful to take another step. Creation thrives when given the freedom to roam, explore, and make mistakes.

Overcoming the Perfectionist Plague

So how does one develop the antibodies to shake off the mind-virus that is perfectionism and rekindle your creative fire?

Embrace Mistakes: Accept that your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s a canvas waiting for the artist’s brushstrokes. It’s a lump of clay waiting to be molded.

Set Realistic Goals: Set word count goals instead of chapter goals to really push yourself to make some word vomit, and have fun with it. Break your writing tasks into manageable chunks and set achievable goals. Celebrate small victories along the way.

Time Management: Allocate specific time slots for writing and stick to them. When the timer goes off, move on, imperfections and all.

Perfectionism Diet: Limit your editing during the writing process. Save the fine-tuning for the editing phase.

Perfectionism, while well-intentioned, can be a writer’s worst enemy. It stifles creativity, wastes time, and can turn the writing process into a never-ending nightmare. But fear not! By embracing your glorious mistakes, you can break free from perfectionism’s clutches and unleash your creative potential. Write that messy, beautiful masterpiece. Your inner critic may not approve, but that inner voice aching to tell the story certainly will!