I love your story of attunement. We all appreciate how it feels when someone attunes to us and no doubt that 14 year old was blessed by you giving her that gift. Thanks for this thought provoking essay.
Thanks Mom! I'm sure you have countless experiences like that in your work. I think you're one of the exceptions to the "lab coats" I wrote about-- you have a degree but you also treat people like people instead of problems.
I constantly struggle with perfectionism, frozen with choice because I am fearful to make a mistake. To combat this, I create art, where it unfortunately also manifests. Why should I create if it is not perfect? Which then turns, why should I exist if I am not perfect? This is an impossible standard to live by. It is unrealistic and unachievable. So, I try to live by "good enough is good enough" and create anyway. I push past my mistakes and accept my pieces for what they are, physical representations of progress. I continue to have conversations with missteps, even though it's probably easier (better?) if I avoided all human interaction. I try to remember that at least I created, at least I existed, at least I lived, instead of succumbing to my fears of imperfection and not doing anything at all.
I really enjoyed reading this- very eloquent and well said. Your words are encouraging for burgeoning writers - creatives, for that matter- who want to find their way in making sense of the world through even the most ephemeral moments of connection and engagement. And I love the shoutout to Farrar.
Yes!! Working on an overdue novel and some short stories. I’m inspired by this substack format you have, I might try something like that! But for sure, would love to have another set of eyes on it
Great point! I think it’s a myth or an illusion that anything is actually perfect. It may just seem so from our perspective, but the artists knows all the flaws and woes of its creation. I think it’s the attempt that matters, not the result. The result eventually takes care of itself if you ignore it long enough (while focusing on the attempt)
I love your story of attunement. We all appreciate how it feels when someone attunes to us and no doubt that 14 year old was blessed by you giving her that gift. Thanks for this thought provoking essay.
Thanks Mom! I'm sure you have countless experiences like that in your work. I think you're one of the exceptions to the "lab coats" I wrote about-- you have a degree but you also treat people like people instead of problems.
I constantly struggle with perfectionism, frozen with choice because I am fearful to make a mistake. To combat this, I create art, where it unfortunately also manifests. Why should I create if it is not perfect? Which then turns, why should I exist if I am not perfect? This is an impossible standard to live by. It is unrealistic and unachievable. So, I try to live by "good enough is good enough" and create anyway. I push past my mistakes and accept my pieces for what they are, physical representations of progress. I continue to have conversations with missteps, even though it's probably easier (better?) if I avoided all human interaction. I try to remember that at least I created, at least I existed, at least I lived, instead of succumbing to my fears of imperfection and not doing anything at all.
I really enjoyed reading this- very eloquent and well said. Your words are encouraging for burgeoning writers - creatives, for that matter- who want to find their way in making sense of the world through even the most ephemeral moments of connection and engagement. And I love the shoutout to Farrar.
Thanks Belle! I'd love to read some of your writing if you ever feel like sharing it
Yes!! Working on an overdue novel and some short stories. I’m inspired by this substack format you have, I might try something like that! But for sure, would love to have another set of eyes on it
Love the sentiment and how you brought me there, thanks for writing this Grant.
Thanks Jonas! Your encouragement is one of those things that keeps me going.
Great point! I think it’s a myth or an illusion that anything is actually perfect. It may just seem so from our perspective, but the artists knows all the flaws and woes of its creation. I think it’s the attempt that matters, not the result. The result eventually takes care of itself if you ignore it long enough (while focusing on the attempt)