3 Simple Steps to Cure Your Writing Perfectionism
I had a terrible writer’s block for years. And I tried about every method in existence to get over it. But somehow, for the longest time, writing still felt like lifting weights. I wrote very little — or nothing at all. Then I realized my problem is that I am trying to write perfectly. Even before I started, I always told myself: “You must write GREAT things!” And unsurprisingly, this subconscious thought often stopped me even before beginning.
When you are a perfectionist, nothing comes easy for you. Yes, the few words I wrote were very polished. They sounded great. They shined on the page. And there were very few of them.
I couldn’t finish things, no matter how I tried. And even worse, I suffered when I was writing. It used to be my joy — but now there was only pain instead.
The magic came when I stopped trying so hard. When I lowered my expectations of myself, the words just started flowing on the page. Writing stopped being a chore and became a joyful activity again. Here are three things that helped me and I want to share them with you:
1. Turn off your inner critic and just throw words on paper
Or on the screen. I know this is easier said than done. But when you realize that the first draft is always going to suck, you can let go more easily. You are just laying the foundations for your future piece of writing, be it a short story, a novel or an article on Medium. The editing comes later. But for now, just write down everything that comes to mind. And when your brain starts screaming at you: “This is not good enough!” let that thought pass… and write some more.
For this moment, allow yourself to write badly. It doesn’t matter for now — what matters is that you have created something. You can pick up the pieces you like and polish them later. But it’s important that you have something to start with.
2. Don’t aim for perfect — aim for ‘good enough’
If you tell yourself, even on the subconscious level: “I am going to sit down now and write something perfect,” you have just successfully blocked yourself even before you’ve put pen to paper, or fingers on the keyboard. Realize that “perfect” simply doesn’t exist. No piece of writing since the invention of the written word has ever been perfect. Pick any famous author’s work, and you will always find someone who doesn’t like it.
Perfection is impossible. And when you tell yourself to do what just realistically cannot be done, it’s only logical that you won’t be able to move forward. You have created an absolutely unrealistic expectation for yourself.
So, don’t try to write a perfect piece. Try to write something that will be good enough. Realize that when you bring the reader value, be it amusement, information, or both, you have done a good job. And that’s what matters.
3. Learn to accept criticism as a way to growth
Perfectionism can often be just a concealed fear of criticism. After all — if what you write is perfect, nobody would be able to find any fault in it, right? Trying to write “perfectly” can be a subconscious defense mechanism for avoiding being criticized.
When you realize this, it gives you power. Yes, it can be hard to accept that criticism inevitably happens. But you need to reframe how you think about it. It isn’t an attack on your work. It isn’t a judgment on your abilities — or your value as a person. (And if you identify with your writing a lot, then you may perceive it this way.) What it is, instead, is a way to grow. A way to learn. A way to become a better writer.
Try to accept criticism for the gift it is. You may discover that it’s immensely liberating.
This is all from me. The rest is up to you. Now, go and write something imperfect.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like this one about how dreams feel when they come true:
Or this one about teaching your brain how to think positively:
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