Amanda Makes Things

Perfectionism is a PITA

Do you struggle with perfectionism like I do, or are you normal? Even when I am doing something incredibly low-stakes, like knitting a scarf, or decorating a journal page, if I know someone else is going to see it; I clutch.
It is incredibly frustrating in the world of writing or making videos or anything similar. The urge to just delete everything and start over is a constant battle. Don’t get me wrong, I am not expecting my little YouTube videos to mimic Scorsese or anything, but I want to make good content even so.
A fellow journaler (ElizaJournals on YT and Insta, check her out) I follow on Instagram and I were discussing this very thing today. We love making content but when it comes to actually sitting down at the desk and hitting the record button…well let’s just say it is easy to get stuck in your own head.
Those of us with anxiety (hi, it’s me) get a nice double dose of it when editing and posting. So you may ask yourself, why do it? Why do something that is so difficult? No one would notice if you just…didn’t.

The answer is because it is hard. Because it is challenging for me. Some days my brain is not on my side, but creative work is always there for me. I feel so accomplished when I manage to post a video, even if only three people like it. No matter what the algorithm says, part of the joy of making things is sharing them with like-minded folks.
Creativity can thrive in almost any conditions, if we give it a chance.