Anyhow, here is what happened during March!

• I’ve done a workshop with 2nd graders and 6th graders about community and identity with Urban Artworks and had the absolute best time! We talked about our role in our community and did a painting session. I will be turning those drawings into a mural, so more on that later!

• I went to NYC to attend CSW68 and had the best time! When your colleagues are also your best friends, work trips become so much fun! We held our parallel event titled “Beyond Tax Justice” in collaboration with OXFAM Ghana. We discussed how to move beyond the value-added tax on menstrual products and address period poverty, with examples from Turkey and Ghana.

• I attended the MOCCA illustration festival for the first time. It was so inspiring to see so many artists and their beautiful creations.

What did I read?

• Bunny by Mona Awad

It is a quirky and mysterious book about Samantha, who feels like an outsider in her writing program. She gets drawn into a group called "the Bunnies," who are a bit strange. As Samantha plunges deeper into the Bunnies' sinister yet saccharine world, beginning to take part in the ritualistic off-campus workshop where they conjure their monstrous creations, the edges of reality begin to blur. The book talks about fitting in, friendship, and the strange things people do to belong. It's funny, a bit creepy, and makes you think about how we all want to fit in sometimes.

• Bright Dead Things by Ada Limon

It is a breathtaking collection of poetry that captures the essence of life with vivid imagery and raw emotion. Through her lyrical verses, Limón invites us on a journey through the landscapes of both the external world and the inner self. Themes of love, loss, identity, and connection weave through the pages, as Limón navigates the complexities of human relationships and the natural world with honesty and tenderness. Limón's mastery of language and her ability to illuminate the beauty found in the everyday, invite us to pause and reflect.

What did I watch?

• 27 by Flora Anna Buda

  Ugh. The colors, the compositions, and the animation were so good. I was obsessed with this short animation!

• All of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh

  I mean… two of my favorite actors were in it so I was waiting for this movie for a while now. It was everything I was expecting and more! I love the story, the acting, and the cinematography! Chefs kiss!

What did I listen to?

Love sharing what inspires me with people. Also, I’m always on the lookout for something new. Feel free to reach out to me with book, movie, and song recommendations! Thank you for being here!

Best
Burcu

This showed up in different ways when I was a kid. I hated competition. I would quit anything with a chance of ‘failure’. I would stay away from sports and would feel extremely anxious when I started something I was not familiar with. I was always an artsy kid. I would dance, paint, and draw and wanted to pursue fine arts starting from middle school. Now that I’m thinking, maybe it was my way of finding the loophole in this. After all, there is no competition, no failing in art and creativity, or is there?

Perfectionism to me is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it drives me to strive for excellence and produce high-quality work. On the other hand, it can become a suffocating force, stifling creativity and hindering progress. In the fast-paced and demanding landscape of the creative industry, the pursuit of perfection can often lead to many challenges and setbacks.

The Illusion of Perfection

Perfectionism in the creative industry manifests as an unattainable standard—a mirage shimmering on the horizon, always out of reach. It presents itself as an idealized version of our work, or our process. Thanks to social media we are bombarded with only the highlights of fellow creatives’ careers and their curated feeds filled with their success, always clean, organized, filled with natural light studio spaces, beautiful linen dresses, and freshly brewed coffee. When compared to my often chaotic art practice, messy studio space in my living room, old sweatshirts with many paint stains, and days of creative blocks, It is almost impossible to not feel inadequate.

The Pressure to Conform

In an industry where trends come and go at the speed of light, the pressure to conform to societal standards of perfection is palpable. Whether it's adhering to rigid design principles, conforming to industry norms, or meeting unrealistic expectations, I often find myself trapped in a cycle of comparison and self-doubt. This constant need for validation creates a culture of mediocrity, where creativity takes a backseat to conformity.

The Fear of Failure

I found myself procrastinating a lot. Like doing everything BUT the work that needs to be done. Later I realised what caused this. After all, “I cannot fail at something I am not doing.” My fear of failure which is the root of my perfectionism fear of not being good enough, of not measuring up to the expectations of others(and myself), and ultimately, of being rejected or ridiculed. This fear often becomes paralyzing. Binge-watching comfort shows or zoning out with doom-scrolling takes place instead of taking risks, exploring new ideas, and pushing the boundaries. Instead of embracing failure as a natural part of the creative process, perfectionism makes it seem like a reflection of inadequacy, further fueling the quest for lawlessness.

The Toll on Mental Health

The relentless pursuit of perfection, of course, takes a toll on mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. The perpetual state of dissatisfaction can(does) lower self-esteem, dampen creativity, and ultimately, lead to disillusionment with the creative process altogether.

"Perfection is but a mirage in the desert of reality, where flaws are the oasis of authenticity."

Okay, so How Do We Break Free from Perfectionism?

Breaking free from perfectionism as a creative individual is challenging, as creativity often involves vulnerability and a willingness to take risks. Here are some tailored tips to help you break free from perfectionism:

1. Embrace Imperfection as Part of the Creative Process: There are so many quotes that help me remember this. “Perfect is the enemy of good”, and “1 is greater than 0”, Understanding that I have to create bad art in order to get better at it was a game changer for me. Accepting imperfection is inherent in the creative process plus art is subjective, and what may seem imperfect to you could be seen as beautiful or meaningful to others helps me get out of my spiraling mind.

2. Set Limits on Editing and Revisions: Give yourself deadlines or limits on the number of revisions you can make to a project. This can prevent you from endlessly tweaking your work in pursuit of an unattainable perfection.

3. Practice Freewriting or Freestyling: Allow yourself to write or create without judgment or self-criticism. Set a timer and just let your ideas flow without worrying about perfection. You can always refine it later. I usually have 1-minute warm-up drawing sessions before I start my paintings.

4. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: As cliche as it sounds, it is all about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the act of creating itself rather than solely focusing on the result. Engage in activities that inspire and energize you creatively, whether or not they lead to a finished product.

5. Experiment with Different Styles and Mediums: Give yourself permission to explore and try new things without worrying about whether they'll be perfect. Trying different styles or mediums can open up new avenues for creativity and self-expression.

6. Celebrate Your Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you make in your creative journey, no matter how small.

7. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion when you encounter setbacks or challenges in your creative endeavors. Take a moment when your inner critic takes over and ask yourself: What would you say if it was your best friend who you were talking to? Treat yourself with the same understanding and encouragement you would offer to a friend.

8. Seek Support from Other Creatives: I cannot stress enough the importance of a community of fellow creatives. Connect with other creatives, share your experiences, learn from each other, and offer support and encouragement along the way. Lindsay’s night class made a huge difference for me. Not only did I get to meet with amazing artists but I learned so much about the industry, art practice, and myself.

Remember that breaking free from perfectionism is a gradual process, and it's okay to take small steps toward embracing imperfection in your creative pursuits. By practicing self-compassion, focusing on the process, and allowing yourself to take risks, you can unleash your creativity more freely and authentically and experience the joy of the creative process!

Read more