The ability to finish something is highly underrated when it comes to discussing the creative process. When discussing the production of an album, everyone wants to hear about the other artists that inspired them to make a certain project, or about particular stressful situations that perhaps hindered production.
Since I’ve been exploring my creative side, the most difficult thing for me has been finishing a project. Usually, I have an outline for the project I’m creating, and I just fill in the blanks as I am going through it. However, time slows down when I am reaching the end of the project. Suddenly, everything becomes an imperfection in my project. I think to myself, "Wow, no one would want to read this; it’s very boring.”
This is probably something that everyone goes through when they have put their heart and soul into their work, bringing their thoughts and emotions out into the open. This moment is a moment of truth. Sometimes I panic, and make broad sweeping changes to whatever I’m working on, in the hopes that it will be better than what I originally had. Sometimes I’ll shave little bits and pieces off the original work until it becomes completely unrecognizable. Usually, I start this process unsure of myself, and end up even more unsure of myself; I end up with a project that feels flat, or uninspired.
However, sometimes I find the strength to say something to myself like, “This only seems boring to you because you have read over it a thousand times.” I think having the strength to accept what you perceive as flaws in your work is a difficult, but important part in making art. There is something relatable about seeing flaws in something because everyone has their own faults, and it makes one feel at ease with themselves - even if the feeling is temporary. In a lot of ways it can be beneficial to embrace the imperfections in your art.