Let me guess—you’ve found yourself staring at your computer screen, your fingers hovering above the keys, and a nagging voice in your head saying, “It’s not good enough yet.” Or maybe you’ve written a few paragraphs, but you keep going back and re-editing them, convinced they’re just not right. You’re not alone!
In this article, we’re going to dive into why perfectionism can kill your writing confidence, how it keeps you stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, and most importantly—how you can stop it in its tracks. By the end, you’ll have the tools you need to embrace imperfection and finally get your writing out there with the confidence of a pro.
What is Perfectionism and Why Does It Hold You Back?
The Perfectionism Trap
You’ve heard the saying, “The perfect is the enemy of the good,” right? Well, for writers, the perfect is often the enemy of progress. Perfectionism is that little voice in your head that tells you your writing has to be flawless before it’s even finished. It’s the voice that tells you to keep rewriting, editing, and second-guessing every word, paragraph, and sentence until you’ve burnt yourself out. And here's the kicker: you might never even finish because you're stuck in that cycle of "it’s not perfect yet."
Now, I’ve been in that trap before, trust me. In my early writing days, I would edit and re-edit my work until I was practically pulling my hair out. I’d get so caught up in the small details—worrying about the word choice, the sentence structure, the pacing—that I’d never make any progress. The draft I was working on would sit in my computer for weeks, untouched. And guess what? It never saw the light of day.
If you’re starting out, perfectionism can make you feel like your writing isn't good enough to be shared with anyone. You might be thinking, Who am I to put this out there? I’m not a real writer. But here’s a secret: perfection doesn’t exist. Even the most successful authors didn’t become successful by writing perfect first drafts. They wrote, they failed, they learned, and they kept moving forward. It’s time for you to do the same.
The Costs of Perfectionism
If you’re still not convinced that perfectionism is holding you back, let me lay it out for you. Perfectionism comes with a hefty price tag:
Creative Paralysis: You’re so scared of getting it wrong that you freeze. Instead of writing, you stare at a blank page, struggling to even begin. Sound familiar? This is the creative paralysis that perfectionism breeds.
Endless Editing: You’re always tweaking, always making changes, but never actually finishing anything. And the longer you spend on one draft, the more likely you are to abandon it altogether. You convince yourself it’s just not good enough, but really, you’re just avoiding the fact that it’s not perfect yet.
Missed Opportunities: The biggest cost of perfectionism is what you miss out on—opportunities to grow, to share your voice, to improve. If you’re constantly worried about judgment or rejection, you’ll never submit your work for publication. You’ll never share it with others. Instead, you’ll keep it locked away, hidden behind an ideal of perfection that doesn’t exist.
I remember when I first started submitting articles for publication, I spent way too long obsessing over each submission, trying to make sure every word was just right. The feedback I got was constructive, but it was also clear that my perfectionism was getting in the way of my progress. I was so worried about making a mistake that I couldn’t see the bigger picture: getting my work out there and learning from the process.
Why It’s Okay to Let Go of Perfectionism
Mistakes Are Part of the Process
Here’s the truth: mistakes are a part of writing. No one, not even the most seasoned writers, get things right the first time. The key is not to fear mistakes, but to learn from them. And you’re never going to learn unless you actually get your words on the page and see where you can improve.
It’s tough, I know. There’s something deeply ingrained in us that makes us want to be perfect, especially when we’re putting something as personal as our writing out there for others to see. But here’s a secret: the writers who succeed aren’t the ones who write perfect sentences the first time around—they’re the ones who keep writing, no matter what. They focus on progress, not perfection.
For example, take a look at J.K. Rowling. When she was writing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, she faced rejection from multiple publishers. They told her it wasn’t perfect or marketable. But she kept going, even when it seemed like nothing was working. She revised her manuscript, believed in her story, and eventually, her imperfect draft turned into one of the most beloved books of all time. Perfection is not the goal—telling your story is.
The Power of First Drafts
One of the most important things I’ve learned as a writer is that first drafts are meant to be imperfect. They’re not supposed to be perfect, polished gems that are ready to be published. They’re your starting point. Your first draft is your chance to get everything down on paper, no matter how messy or raw it is. Editing comes later.
Think of your first draft like a rough sculpture. You wouldn’t carve a statue out of marble on your first attempt—you’d start with clay, molding it into shape before you fine-tune the details. Writing is the same. Don’t waste time perfecting every word in the first draft. Just write.
Practical Steps to Break Free from Perfectionism
Now that we’ve covered why perfectionism is holding you back, let’s talk about what you can do about it. Here are some practical steps you can take to stop perfectionism in its tracks and start building your confidence as a writer:
1. Give Yourself Permission to Write a “Bad” First Draft
This is the most important step: give yourself permission to write a bad first draft. Write it knowing it’s not perfect. In fact, write it knowing it can’t be perfect. The goal isn’t to get it right—it’s to get it done.
Set a timer for 20 minutes, and write without looking back or editing. Don’t worry if it’s awful. Just keep moving forward. The more you practice this, the less fear you’ll have about writing imperfectly. I promise, you’ll find that you produce better work when you stop worrying about perfection.
2. Separate Writing and Editing
Stop trying to write and edit at the same time. This is a surefire way to stall your progress. Instead, work in phases: first, write. Once you’ve gotten a draft done, go back and edit.
Use a technique called freewriting, where you write as quickly as you can without stopping to revise. This allows your creativity to flow without being held back by your inner critic. It’s freeing, and it’ll help you get the words on the page. Afterward, you can go back and fine-tune your work during the editing phase. But remember: writing and editing are two different tasks.
3. Set Realistic Goals and Celebrate Small Wins
Perfectionism often stems from setting impossible standards. If you’re aiming for perfection, you’ll never feel like you’ve “arrived.” So, set realistic, achievable goals for yourself instead. Start small—maybe aim to write 500 words a day. Or set a goal to finish a chapter by the end of the week.
When you hit these milestones, celebrate them! This could mean treating yourself to something small, like a cup of coffee, or simply taking a moment to acknowledge your progress. Each win, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goal, and the more you celebrate, the more you’ll build confidence.
4. Focus on Completion, Not Perfection
The more you focus on just getting the work done, the more you’ll see progress. Don’t worry about making every word or every sentence perfect. Finish what you start. It’s better to have a finished draft that you can improve on than to have a thousand unfinished drafts collecting dust.
Remember: even the most successful writers don’t write perfect first drafts. They write, they revise, and they keep going.
5. Change Your Mindset: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
One of the easiest ways to fall into the perfectionism trap is by comparing your work to other writers’. It’s easy to look at a bestselling author and think, “I’ll never be that good.” But here’s the thing: comparison kills creativity.
Instead of focusing on how your work stacks up against someone else’s, focus on your own growth. Celebrate your unique voice, your perspective, and your progress. Your story matters, and you don’t need to be perfect to share it.
How Letting Go of Perfectionism Will Help You Grow as a Writer
When you stop striving for perfection, you’ll find that your writing improves naturally. You’ll start to trust your voice and your process. You'll find that the more you write, the more you learn about yourself and your unique style. Writing becomes less about meeting an unattainable standard and more about expressing yourself freely and authentically.
The best part? You’ll write more. Without the pressure of perfection, you’ll feel more confident about your work and more motivated to finish projects. And before you know it, you’ll have a body of work that you’re proud of—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s authentically you.
Conclusion: Stop Worrying About Perfection and Start Writing
Perfectionism will always be there, lurking in the background, trying to convince you that your work isn’t good enough. But you don’t have to let it control you. Take a deep breath, let go of the need to be perfect, and start writing.
The world doesn’t need perfect writing—it needs your voice. So, embrace the messy, imperfect journey of writing. Finish your drafts. Celebrate your progress. And most importantly, believe in yourself.
Now, go ahead and write. Let the words flow freely, and stop worrying about perfection. You’ve got this!
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