Your perfectionism is destroying your life (and your art)

I've always considered myself a perfectionist, but as I've gotten older I've realized just how dangerous of a trait it is, and how if left unchecked, perfectionism can ruin your life.
I don't mean to be dramatic, but it's true! If your incessant need to be perfect and perfectly prepared is preventing you from launching a business, putting yourself out there, or finding joy in your creative practice, it's kinda ruining your life.
At that point, your perfectionism isn't a cute little quirk that makes you detail oriented, it's a serious flaw that you need to work to overcome.
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[@yohaizilber]

The worst part about being a procrastinator is that once you finally get around to doing something, you wonder why you don't do it more often because it feels so good. And then you remember how much work you have to do and you say to yourself, "ehh... Maybe later."

[@flo84floflo84]

it happens the same to me... it's the overthinking, when you want to do something, don't think, i try it and it works, but it's hard not to overthink things when your head doesn't stop

[@givowl2160]

I had/have the same problem, I would go into a spiral chasing my own thoughts around and around. Thoughts that would start with "It's so much work, I have so far to go" then fall to "you'll never be an artist at this rate". What helped was instead of chasing those thoughts to squash them, I would let them sit there in the back of my head. Not give them any attention. Even when I would give them attention, and then start spiralling from that, the important part is getting used to pulling the mind back from that space. It's hardest the first times doing it, then it gets easier to do. Doing this gives room for the healthier, quiet voice in my head to get louder. Thanks for reading this far, hope you have a fine day

[@thehopeofeden597]

I’ve never seen a more relatable KZbin title because honestly … yeah.

[@matiasmuller9801]

"If you are holding out from starting things because you need it to be perfect, you're never going to get anywhere. You are always going to be inventing more and more excuses to delay yourself from starting." Wow that hit hard. I need to frame this somewhere I see it all the time

[@s.melonita4454]

Kelsey I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made me brave and I did it, I uploaded on social media at the end of last year and one video went viral (on tiktok😅). I didn't feel ready, I thought it was impossible. I'm 12 years older than you and you taught me and inspired me. You really are the wind beneath my stylus. I wanted to mention you but I didn't want to name drop lol and my videos are in German, too 😅 THANK YOU QUEEN!

[@Cordelia-again]

Congratulations. X

[@Seven7SeptVII]

This made my inside smile. That’s awesome. I want to upload a video so badly sometimes, but I just feel like I’ll flounder.

[@MonicaMolinar]

@@Seven7SeptVII Do it. If you happen to flounder, just put BLOOPER somewhere in your Title. Loads of people love watching bloopers. And, even if you're floundering for a little while, you'll be practicing, learning as you go, and probably have something worth teaching the rest of us about. When you post your first video, come back here to let us know. Probably at least a few of us will be glad to check out whatever you come up with. 🙂

[@s.melonita4454]

@@Cordelia-again thank you :)

[@s.melonita4454]

@@Seven7SeptVII I tried to go in thinking if I'll do it once I need to do it again and now I'm doing it all the time. It's so strange.

[@JaymieKarn]

I literally learned how to ride a bike when I was 23. I bought a rust bucket of a bike, did it on my own and with my partner's help in the alley behind our apartment. No one took the time to teach me when I was a kid and I was (am) incredibly nervous and cautious and it felt too dangerous and embarrassing to learn because everyone else could already do it. My mantra that I've written all over my Notion is "do it poorly" and that's been helping me just do things without thinking whether I'm "supposed" to be good at it or not.

[@Ellary_Rosewood]

This video came at a perfect time. My main focus for this year is to try to kick my perfectionism. I've put off doing so many things in my life because of the fear that they won't be "perfect". It's really one of the worst things you can do to yourself as an artist and creative. My goal this year is to make as much art as I possibly can, to not worry about the final result, but to simply enjoy the process of creating. I'm determined to make this the year where I get into the habit of painting and drawing every day in my sketchbook and actually filling the entire thing, which is something I've never been able to do. Art should be enjoyable, not something that gives you crippling anxiety. It's so important for artists to experiment, to try new things and use different techniques, and that's a hard thing to do if you have perfectionism always in your mind.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Wishing you the best! It's a hard habit to kick but it's one absolutely worth doing.

[@niftyskates85]

Same i remember doing inktobwr and it got stressful trying to he praise every line so I can upload it to the internet but when I did freehand sketch drawings (ink directly to the paper) it was wayyy more fun and always commented that on the post. Thats how I started drawing more and enjoying it a lot. Seeing Kim Jung Gi make freehand sketchlike inks was what got me back into it and learning to drawing more from imagination while studying reference

[@makizenin1840]

I wish I had creative friends like you kelsey in my life. None of my siblings or friends have any interest in creativity and most of them think that I'm wasting my time on art but I love it so much and people like you always gives me a push to never give up! Thanks kelsey♡

[@anabell_lee]

woah I'm sorry for that, me and my friends are creating stories all the time, it must be hard to not have someone to share this moments. always remember that creating isn't a waste of time, it's actually one of the most beautiful things we can do as humans. and, you now, maybe if you want help or company creating some day you can call me 😅🤗

[@nevel-luna5070]

Yeah I think in order for me to improve my creativity is to have creative friends. Hope you'll find some one day!

[@maariyamulla3679]

the timing!!! i just spent like 2 hrs on a simple sketch and i wasnt even happy with that so i furiously opened yt to search some tutorials and your vid pops up! i cant thank you enough for this vid 😭💞

[@softandcosy]

i put off starting youtube for literally 6 years because i wanted everything to be “perfect” before i started 😭😭😭 i’m so happy i overcame that mindset & finally started in 2022 if you’re thinking of starting, just do it - time flies by so quickly, you don’t even realise!!

[@tworune]

"Ready" is an illusion. Perfectionism is such a drainer. I set unrealistic "benchmarks" and things that I feel compelled that I NEED to complete before getting onto things I actually need to be doing (like school work, making art instead of fooling myself by tiring myself out with notes, etc.)

[@BigDomski]

This was the case all my life too. I hate to make mistakes, would rather do something really well (or you could say perfect) than do a shitty job. Eventually, it becomes so crippling that you'd rather not do anything at all, because you know it won't be done well. I am 26 and still trying to get over that. Thank you for the kind words ❤️

[@MiauxCatterie]

with my adhd, i loved the painting while talking thing. it gave me something to visually focus on while i was paying more close attn to your words than i could have otherwise.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

I'm so glad to hear that! I definitely want to do more videos with this format in the future. Next week's video will be very similar to this one :)

[@deets1322]

I really appreciated this video and will need to listen to this at least 10 more times. Perfectionism and shame makes up the entirety of all my fear of sharing my art online. I get entirely through the planning phase but once it comes to production, whenever anything isn’t “perfect” or near it, my motivation just falls apart. I have a toxic relationship with failure and it’s nice listening to other artists redefine that relationship into something normal. Thank you Kelsey ❤

[@Blick_Art]

This is the kind of great advice we've come to expect from Kelsey! There is a modern attitude that artists today have to replace what came before, basically reinventing art all the time. It's hard to answer that in a practical way, when it's just you and your easel. We think it helps to remember that art is also a skilled trade, with a set of standards to meet. Perfection is an unattainable abstract concept, but standards are objective and achievable. Skills can be learned, processes can be learned. What makes it a work of art- the personality, intelligence, and emotion of the artist- are already there, and those don't need improving!

[@jeremyyates1026]

Definetly agree on this one I procrastinated my art for a good while thanks to perfectionism. It was a mix of excuses like you don't have a desk and you don't know enough fundamentals to do this seriously. When in fact that's why I don't know enough fundamentals I let it cripple me into saying not today one day maybe. Think this year I'm gonna actually hit it this time and work on my art goals. I remember a similar video I saw where an artist said you'll never be ready if you wait till you are you'll never start so just dive in and start. Thanks for covering this.

[@chris_zanetti_manga_art]

*Yep, 100% agree. Sometimes we have to let go and 'JUST DO IT!'* 😃😃💖💖🎨🎨✅✅

[@slyshand]

"...you have to be bad at it at first." Is the thing I tell anyone learning anything and hearing it out loud from other experienced artists is always comforting because it's always true, and for the whole vid, the message is funny enough perfect to hear! The whole channel's awesome, the message is awesome, there is significant value in all of it, including the paintings just taking form!

[@MariJadeWrites]

Thank you for this pep talk, I needed it. Started drawing a new coloring book finally, it took me a while to get reinspired to work on a new project like this since I "failed" to get my creative business off the ground in the last four years. I did commissions, published 5 coloring books, am running a KZbin channel (yet to be monetized) and about to publish my novel. It gets better, just need to keep going and not overthink it so much :) thank you!

[@mariellewinks]

When I was younger, I was so carefree in life. I don't remember when it started, maybe after high school, I started to become very critical of myself. I always watched what I say cause I didn't want to offend anyone with my opinion. I would sometimes put off projects cause I wanted everything to be perfect, (did I mention that I'm also a procrastinator?). And many more things that I could go on about. There's nothing wrong with being a perfectionist sometimes. Sometimes you want to be the best version you could be. But too much of it can harm not only you, but also your relationship with others. For me, it's hard not to be a perfectionist, but it is something that I'm working on, and I'm trying my best to accept that I make mistakes just like everyone else.

[@annemay3897]

It helped me to redefine what a mistake is, its nothing more than a situation going differently than you anticipated, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. you might think getting fired from a job was a mistake, whilst that led you to find a new more enjoyable job. It's acknowledging that you dislike a certain thing that happened (on canvas/ in life) and then taking the step to think about where you want to go from here. You are always moving forward, so you can always move away from the thing that you disliked, to something you do like, by focusing on what you do want.

[@themishening]

This is so good. It made me remember the time I learned how to ride a bike and I kept falling and trying again and again until I could do it. And I remember yelling "HEY MOM I CAN RIDE A BIKE". It was decades ago yet I can still remember it so clearly. Your words never cease to be motivational. I'll pick up the stylus today.

[@kyr-kun-chan]

I feel like this came at the right time 😂 I'm working on a commission right now and I got to the point where I want to show the sketch to the client but I'm scared they're not gonna like it because it's not exactly what they had in mind. Realistically I know the sketch doesn't have to be perfect yet because I can still make changes. That's the whole reason why I show the sketch to the client in the first place.

[@Kiraya-Ikwea]

I always forget i should focus on finishing rather than doing sth perfect. :'3 THX for ur videos! 💖

[@iMakeThat]

Girl I just spent 10hrs on my first layer oil painting… come out with this 3 days ago please 😂

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Nooooooooooooo big RIP

[@iMakeThat]

@@KelseyRodriguez 🤣

[@justmedidi]

"do it scared, do it uncomfortable, do it afraid" are words i'm going to hang onto if the definition of planning fallacy had a picture for it, it would be a picture of me **finger guns** i'm quite the anxious person so planning and preparation help me to feel more calm and in control somewhat. it's a system of management but it has also become a system of hinderance for me. i'm also so afraid of making mistakes. i want to create perfect art, i want to use the perfect technique, i want to use the perfect materials, learning resources etc etc this perfectionism is just an illusory goal that i create in order to protect myself, but in the end, i don't get to create and improve like i want. i want to do less planning and more just doing. i want to just fail and get comfortable with that because that's how we really learn and grow. this video just encourages me further. thanks kelsey, this was much needed

[@Dreamforge.Atelier]

This is SO true! And...the fact this Video came to me today is just crazy. Because I thought about starting a KZbin Channel for so long! And today I will finally do it 🙈. The fear of being too bad, too old, too unskilled and such always kept me just thinking about it. Thank you so much for these words, I needed that right now!

[@Ironghost1091]

Thank you! Really helped remind myself. I am very very over critical of myself and it holds me back a lot.

[@bunniiya]

this hit home. I've had a severe art block for the past 5 years, and I've realized now it's because of my toxic perfectionism. as an art student, seeing everyone's incredible work made me put way too much pressure on myself. for 5 years I've been too afraid to draw for myself. watching this video gave me hope that I can draw everyday like I did when I was 10-15. thank you for making this video ❤

[@esmaarts]

A few days ago I went to an art museum and draw the sculptures I saw. The result is far from perfect, but this exercise was basically about loosening up and just studying. After I left school I never drew with other people around (of course excluding my family, I always sketch when my family is around). It was a weird experience, but so much fun. An elderly woman approached me and we even had a talk about my drawing and the sculpture. Something I never thought I would do. I normally don't like to interact with strangers or even do small talk.

[@iamsamiassaf]

this was so inspirational!🥺 thank you Kelsey💕

[@Constellato-draws]

I’ve been struggling with perfectionism in my art for a very long time, I’ve known it’s a problem, I’ve tried to fix it, hearing you say that perfectionism is just holding a person back from growing really helps me, thanks 💜

[@DintheAbary]

Thank you, it's very easy to get in your own way. This has held me back in so many situations.

[@milmundos]

That's one of your best videos, I see myself returning to it a lot in the future. Thank you.

[@NicArtistic]

Kelsey you have no idea how much I needed to hear this one today. I've been in a loop over the past several months where I just feel like I go back to the same projects and re-work things over and over again and I put off the important stuff in business and my art career. I was doing really well in 2019-2020 and I just have been struggling ever since. You're so spot on with the whole perfectionism thing -- it really can lead to a lot of time passing without any real results and it can be problematic. I needed to a dose of reality and I needed to see that. This video is just what I needed today.

[@vampireantihero]

You're absolutely right; the best thing to do is to just start. I'm still saving up for a decent camera, using a crappy camera I've been using for 2 years. But I'm happy I started when I did. You've got the bike-riding! The feel of actually doing it so, so exhilarating, good or bad.

[@MegInWhispers]

thanks so much for this video. my goal this year and in my whole future is to try to release my perfectionism more. it is so difficult, but everything you said here is so true. I'm saving this video to return to. the fear of judgement from others is so deeply rooted in me for some reason, and i didn't carry that in the past. i just created and enjoyed. now, every creative project i try to think of feels riddled with fear and holding myself back, and YES, it is so unhealthy for me. I'm remembering that DONE is better than PERFECT. meaning, it's better to just get The Thing done and out there, despite imperfections, than hold yourself back in the darkness forever out of fear. i feel like i unlearned perfectionism in the past for a few years, but during the pandemic and years following, it has taken over again and it's not serving me. IT IS NOT. so thank you. i needed this and so did many others. I'm going to save this for re-watch.

[@Bopsterjazz]

I’ve held myself back a LOT because I need to know more, or I need more confidence, or I don’t have the right tools. Those are just excuses for the fear I have of taking x,y,z risk. Going into this year, I’m trying to step out of my own way and I think this video is something I will come back to repeatedly as I navigate that process.

[@Voids-]

I came to the realization that I’m a perfectionist a few days ago, and I was definitely reeling from what it meant about all the art and practices I’ve started over the years. This video is just what I needed today. Thank you! 🖤

[@SleeplessAlia]

Thank you so much Kelsey i needed to hear everyword of this. Im 19 struggling with extreme perfectionism. Your my hero!

[@iceecreamm5612]

I recently discovered you, like an hour ago lol, I came from Adam Duffs channel and his video about you. I really want to express how grateful and happy i am, simply im inlove with how your channel is and how you word things. I love your brain and the way you think and how you comfort people through the internet, sharing your brilliant messages about our journey as artist. They put me at ease, incredibly beneficial especially at a time like this where im currently perusing art and trying to get better at it. You're incredible and im happy to know that there are people like you and Adam and many more that share their sensitive sides, making it easier to tackle obstacles, letting me rewire my brain and actually see that these obstacles are 100% possible to overcome. Much love! :3

[@ATravelerOfWorlds]

The amount of relief I feel after watching this Kelsey... I'm at a loss for words! Thank you for making me realize how much I'm not alone in this. And how much I'm standing in my own way if I continue to allow myself to focus on ''perfection''!

[@madebymischka6930]

Thanks for your words! I really needed to hear them right now ❤

[@sk184]

OMG Thank you so much for making this vid, Hon. Been struggling with this

[@glorytoukraine5524]

All these points ring so true, your videos always have very useful insights and I couldn't be happier I found your channel. A tip for artists, trying to get out of debilitating perfectionism - Get goofy. Whacky, even. Make a shitpost. I will give a personal example. I was discouraged that I could not draw my own characters the way I'd like to. I lacked skills in anatomy, perspective, design, you name it. i reached a point where I wouldn't dare to draw a single thing for months on end. What helped me out of that, is drawing Gigachads. Yes, the memes with the muscly guy with a massive jawline. Loosening up this way and just enjoying drawing this funny guy who looks cool had me improve like crazy over the next year. And, what do you know, the practice had paid off. Because now I can draw my characters without anxiety. Is it perfect? No. Is it dimensions better than what it used to be? Absolutely. Bottom line is - take yourself less seriously. Sometimes all it takes to break through that stump you've been having is a curvy Among Us character in your math notebook.

[@itsthequeenfatima]

You are right! Perfectionism in art can be debilitating! I try to fight it often. I strive to do better in 2023

[@littletinyegg]

Ahhh thank you for the shoutout at the end there! The Discord has been one of my favorite places on the Internet lately ✨ loved this pep talk!

[@briannapeterson7294]

Just found your "find your art style" video and subscribed right away because it cleared my mind so quickly! And this. Yes I can relate 100%. Thank you for the reminder to stop overthinking. JUST DO IT

[@richardsmith175]

You're spittin facts! I've struggled with perfectionism for longer than I should've. But now I make myself draw regardless and I intentionally take the pressure off myself. I'm currently doing the 100 Heads challenge and that's helped a lot with breaking down limiting beliefs of perfectionism. Btw I dig the split screen video style. Keep up the good work.

[@fearkeehl]

The fact that those are the words that I' d love to hear from my mother.. Thank you. Today has been a very stressful day, because i'm starting to figure out what i want to do in my life but when i think about it i dunno where to start. This video halped me a lot, if i never start from a " bad " point, being bad, not good at something i'm never going to be good at it. Thank you so much.

[@Kianathebookworm]

Love your videos as always, but it's crazy because i didn't realize i was a perfectionist until you started describing me word for word. I always come up with something like you just said. Whether it's that i feel i don't have the skill or that i'm tired, i always end up inventing a new reason to not push forward. Sooo thank you for this video, it really opened my eyes to something I was subconsciously avoiding about myself.

[@spacepebble]

Elizabeth Keefner here…. So well said. I think everyone needs to hear this many times in their lives. Right now by 12 year old really needs to learn this lesson. Thank you for your inspiring words.

[@reginadelreal9623]

I love this with my whole heart ❤️ thank you

[@ironichamster8197]

I really needed to hear all of this, thank you :)

[@bunbearry]

Wait I can't believe you're the same age as me! This sounds weird but that honestly gave me a so much more confidence in myself. I always think people more successful than me are older, and the way you carry yourself on the camera just feels that way too! I always knew my perfectionism was ruining my life, because it was a source for a lot of anxiety. Although I can deal with not having the perfect tools or skills, my fear is actually much worse in that I don't think I myself, or my life is perfect enough to be on screen. Even when I know myself that I love watching KZbinrs who feel way more relatable BECAUSE they're NOT perfect!!! Still working on that, but I'm telling myself this is the year to just do it!!

[@-davidolivares]

A professor once told me that everything doesn’t have to be a masterpiece. At the time I probably was so anal and young I understood his comment but I was just happy to keep going forward the way that was comfortable for me. I see now that later when I had an 8 year pause in painting it was because of how I was not willing to fail, not willing to have nothing to say. Now, after staring at a blank canvas and putting it aside to watch a movie, your speech is going to help me get going. It’s ok, to fail, it’s ok, to practice, it’s ok to learn, experiment, be a different you. Thanks tons! I appreciate you.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I feel to balance between perfectionism and carelessness is having a self evaluation or introspection checklist after my painting...that's like a true guide for me

[@devinrorls7568]

Thank you so much for sharing this, I really needed it. I think perfectionism started for me once I got my first critique which made me always conscious of how my art looked, this still happens today and it makes my head hurt lol

[@Maria-fo2xw]

I love the style of new video, watching your paintings while you talk is really cool

[@hypernovafireflyart9061]

I just wanted to say thank you! I've been working on a video after a very long break from KZbin, and perfectionism was definitely getting me down and making it so I might never finish the video the way I wanted to. Sometimes we just need permission to make bad stuff as practice for better things. I think I can finish the video now--so thank. you, from the bottom of my heart.

[@paintingphotographs]

Thank you for saying this! Sometimes we just have to take the leap and remember that we can learn from our mistakes too.

[@oliviawilldraw]

Your videos always hit right when I need them most! Thanks so much 🥰

[@wordstalktome]

Kelsey!! Welcome back! This video was really insightful and I loved it to bits! Thanks sm

[@janeplainegaming]

I am so glad that I stumbled onto your channel. Your pep talks are really helping me heal some of the toxic commentary that I have dealt with over the years, and they are slowly helping me heal my broken artistic self. I have been on the brink of giving up trying to become better due to past experiences and people (friends who are no longer welcome in my life) mocking my attempts at art because it didnt look like other artist (ie hyperrealistic paintings). Thank you so much for your hard work and this channel ❤

[@spatraart]

I have been holding myself back from last Halloween making youtube. i think it was at first because of gear but then it turned into fear of camera and everything else. thanks kelsey, I want to give another go and post this weekend, Wish me luck hehe😄

[@makizenin1840]

You can do it dude! Just make 2023 your year:)

[@spatraart]

@@makizenin1840 thanks maki :D

[@artwithsydney]

I love you!! This resonates so hard with me. Thanks for sharing

[@nocturnus009]

I see you Kelsey: I learned how to ride a bike over a decade ago at Riverside Drive. One year before my 1st NYC triathlon. Back when one didn’t need to apply for a lottery slot. I’m 51, so yeah that was in my late 30’s. Now is the time just because this artistic city is transitioning into a bike town. The cyclism aspects need to cross pollination of the Art creators. Think En plein air & Sketchcrawl 🧬 splice with group ride & gran fondo! That is a vision zero I aspire to see next time I’m on my meditation seat.

[@MickenzieSmith]

This is great! I took the leap and started uploading shorts art videos. This has been a great way to ease into KZbin posting. Now the next leap of sharing my longer format video 🤞🏼Taking your advice big time on this one! ❤

[@nerdylilpumpkin]

Ugh why did this make me tear up so much😅 I haven’t made anything in about a year and a half/2 years due to life things. Oof that makes me sad, but I am grateful that I’m feeling better enough to make things again. This pep talk was perfectly timed for me as well, thank you very much! I hope you are doing well and that you had a lovely holiday season. Happy painting!🎨

[@arbellalirazan]

Kelsey, what a beautiful mind you have. Thank you for these words! 🥺💕

[@clayformations1638]

Really like the side by side video format! Great video!😁

[@alex.proenca]

Time to stop everything I'm doing to gather some knowledge. Thank you Kelsey.

[@micaela.herrera]

Loved this podcast style video paired with the art

[@kelsow2g]

I really needed to see this. Thank you so much!

[@BrieanaWeybright]

I’m 14 years older than you but I still look up to you. Thanks for all the amazing videos. You’re helping me move past the paralyzing fear that my dreams of self employment as a fiber artist aren’t valid.

[@lorth7]

Love this kind of video. This feels like a breath of fresh air. I feel like as artists, we tend to be super-harsh on ourselves. Let's celebrate the joy in creating suff instead! Isn't it amazing that we have all these different ways of communicating thoughts, conveying feelings, sharing our favorite things! There is so much fun to be had here.

[@brianapowe770]

That fact that you said the paintings in this video were FINE!? Man…maybe us artists are to hard on ourselves lol. It’s like…everyone sees you..and the amazing things you create…but you don’t see you…sometimes. Thanks for this video…I’m gonna dive into a project I’ve been putting off. Perfect to me or not. God bless you girl. You’re one of my great Art inspirations!

[@zuzu_1]

Loved this video, I always find myself trapped in toxic perfectionism. Whether in my art, my life, wanting to make a YT 😭. I need to allow myself to be bad at it like you said. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@verdigrii]

When you have this kind of extreme perfectionism it truly feels like you’re trapped inside a prison of your own making. My perfectionism has its roots in my autism, but it’s also twisted up with trauma and anxiety to the point where it’s become a compulsion for me. I sometimes get stuck reworking the same area of a painting for hours, in a horrible dissociative daze. As you said, it really strips the joy from art. I don’t know to stop it yet, but I’ve at least become more self aware. I know it leads to me overworking a painting to death and getting demotivated. I want to find ways to overcome it. In autumn I finally took a leap of faith and started painting for me as well as just for college. I made art accounts and started posting. In some ways, having snail’s pace growth in followers is just what I need because it’s helping me get used to the idea that making mistakes publicly is okay, without it being too overwhelming. I really appreciate this video btw, it’s rare to see the topic tackled in depth with such understanding and empathy. You’re reassuring but you also keep things real, which us perfectionists definitely need :,)

[@ComeraStitches]

🌺 thank you. This has been really bothering me recently and I just felt stuck and lost, not knowing how to deal with this 🌿✨

[@Bpl541]

I’m 68 and have never learned to ride a bike either but I love walking🚶❤️ i find renewing my drawing and painting so, so hard. I think I have decided to start and then I stop again. It is my tendency to expect so much from myself but I know that it is practice that gives you skills. Anyway. I have decided todo it for enjoyment and try that approach. Sorry for rambling but it’s on my mind all the time. 🙏

[@yummiburritobowl]

kelsey you speak the truth and only the truth !! When I fill sketchbooks now, I try to not give an F about how it turns out. Like ESPECIALLY if it's a Sketchbook, you know ?? It's there to sketch... not necessarily for masterpieces.

[@SaltedMallows]

You make real content to talk to real people realistically. Keep doing your thing the message is helping.

[@im_annieperry]

got an ad for an ocd clinic before this

[@isabellehardy2553]

Very motivating video for the new year!

[@shivikadubey]

this whole conversation was so awkward and unsettling for me but it's was needed . so, I'm preparing for design exams, and I'm a beginner and so I am facing challenges and to be really honest I avoid things which I feel are going show that I am raw at it. like , drawing for an example. I've drawn in the past but now particularly for exams I have to work upon certain aspects more, which I'm new too. I also am trying to build certain habits. trying to make a schedule everyday. and other stuff and I am always anxious because I'm not good at it and in my mind I want it to be perfect ,to be chef's kiss which i know it won't be but it's har to accept that it won't be. I always think that there are too many challenges but the No. 1 is my perfection. from now I'll try to overcome it. maybe ,maybe not. but I'll try. so, thankyou.

[@happymama2793]

It won’t just ruin your relationship with your art It’ll ruin your relationship with yourself

[@Lukello]

I think a lot of what held me back from making and posting art was perfectionism. One of the things I want to improve this year is painting because... for a long time, it was this process that took the longest and I didn't like it. Maybe it was my perfectionist self holding me back for not being "as good" as I was at drawing. I do have to thank you for lighting the spark about making art in me. I joined the discord and I can attest that it's a lovely community! 😆💕 Also I loved the format of this video, I kept staring at your painting process while you were talking. P.S. My mom used to tell me that we begin making good stuff by the 100th time we do something. Meaning, you'll have to practice in order to get better at your craft.

[@KelseyRodriguez]

Your mom is 100% right, it takes a lot of practice to achieve true mastery at a skill. And I'm really glad that you liked this format! I think I'll keep it up and try something like this again for next week's video

[@eoliaaa]

Thank you for these videos! So inspiring 🥰

[@butterscotchwm]

The idea that you gotta accomplish something by a certain age is one that I've struggled with. One of the most important things I heard once that changed my perspective was, "You're going to turn 30 (or x amount of years) anyways, so would you rather be 30 and have the thing, or be 30 and not have the thing?"

[@markburton9712]

I'm chuffed to bits, thank you for this video. I pray that you have a cracking 2023 From England, God bless!

[@KelseyRodriguez]

this was such a British comment omg thank you for this lovely gift, wishing you a happy new year as well!

[@lemonandlimes]

I needed that I want things to be just right and if think they arent going to be good even before I start I just dont even try I've been calling it perfectionist procrastination

[@zazzy2015]

I luckily learned this lesson a long time ago and can apply it to an extent. It is still difficult when I am gettting paid to do something I am not as comfortable with, or I have very little time to do it (due to clients' deadlines). It's hard feeling like I can do better and I should have just cut the price for them (usually I have to stay up late and dedicate all of my personal time when this happens, so it's not like I am not putting the effort in, just a lot to manage). I work from home still and am learning a new program on the job. It's great because it is forcing me to put the time in and actually learn. It's bad because instead on an 8 hour day, it's usually around 10-12 and I am constantly thinking about how slow I am progressing and if I am keeping up to the others in my position. I know it is a bad way to work, but it is so hard to get out of that mindset. I am in the process of planning my next business venture (which will hopefully allow me to not take as much freelance work on) and the biggest hurdle I am having right now is the customer service that is involved in selling your work online. I don't want to get off to a bad start resulting in bad reviews. Right now I am in a bit of a slow season for my freelance so it is the perfect time to dive into it. All that to say, thank you, I needed the reminder 😅

[@Artractive_]

Here I am.. starving artist, working a crappy and draining part time job which pays minimum wage, who can’t afford a camera or a mic but I do have an iPhone and really want to start a KZbin.. I might just do it and see what happens haha. It’s so expensive to get everything you need for KZbin and starting a business but I will try with what I have :)

[@KelseyRodriguez]

that's what I did! upgrade your gear as you can afford it and as you become more and more serious about youtube

[@TwizziArt5485]

this is so true! i want to start a youtube channel but I'm over here do a bunch of stuff except not starting! because of that I just said screw it and got started on my comic and now I'm gonna start my youtube now! thank you!

[@meropale]

They did an experiment on two groups of students. The first group were told to work on one piece only and to get it as perfect as possible. The second group were just told to work on fifty pieces, not necessarily to get them perfect but just to finish them. As it turns out it was the second group that improved the most.

[@deanwaters911]

All great points

[@paisleyrosestuff]

Even though this is something I try to be aware of nowadays, I still appreciate whenever someone reinforces this idea for me, so thank you for making this! I just posted my first art-related video this week and it is so far from perfect that I keep thinking about taking it down, but like you said, the only way to get better at making them is to keep trying. I've already learned from it, and I will keep learning as I go. I only wish I had been as wise as you are when I was your age 😂

[@mollyssketchbook]

I didn’t learn to ride a bike until in my 20s- I totally relate to this! But I did it and last year I did a whole bicycle tour of the Netherlands 🚴🏻‍♀️ …and yet I still haven’t started my YT channel, I guess I need to learn my own lesson 🙈

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

When I made art as a hobby I had no perfectionist issues. I just did it. Being full time I live in terror every day. Its stupid but its true.

[@NorsePunk]

I "wasted" a lot of my 20s by not allowing myself to be bad at drawing from imagination, always using reference as a crutch. Just turned 30. Thanks for this- I'm going to face that fear head on.