THe CYCLE EVERY CREATIVE FIGHTS
The Cycle Every Creative Fights, And How We Break It
There’s something most creatives don’t talk about out loud. We chalk it up to a “busy season,” or “creative block,” or “I just need a little more time.”
But underneath the surface? Most of what we struggle with is rooted in old trauma and reinforced in the identity we carry today.
It sneaks into our relationship with money. It shifts our confidence with clients. It even burrows into the way we approach our craft.
And the freakiest part? The cycle is self-propelled. It feeds on itself. If you’re not paying attention, it can throw you into procrastination or let’s call it what it is… complete paralysis.
Here’s the cycle: Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism.
The two “terrible twins”
Imposter syndrome is that constant sense that you’re out of place. Like you somehow slipped through the back door of your own career.
Like you’re just waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, “Hey… should you really be here?”
And it shows up in real-life moments:
During a sales call when the stakes feel high
Writing a big number into a proposal
Rehearsing before a client presentation
Considering hiring someone (because that must mean you’re “legit,” right?)
Scrolling Instagram and comparing your day one to someone else’s year ten
Perfectionism is equally unhelpful.
It’s the belief that you can’t move until you meet a standard that if we’re honest, has no clear definition.
Perfectionism shows up when:
You avoid trying a new creative style because you don’t want to “mess it up”
You save your best ideas for “later”
You hesitate to share anything unfinished
You refuse to delegate because “no one will do it the right way”
You catch yourself saying the word “can’t” (and doubling down on it)
And here’s the twist: these two feed each other.
Perfectionism says, “Don’t move. You aren’t good enough yet.”
Imposter syndrome says, “See? Told you.”
It’s a crazy cycle that makes you go mad.
But here’s the real reason it happens
It’s not about your skills. It’s not about your experience. It’s not about how many clients you’ve worked with or what you’ve posted online.
It’s about safety. The two voices of perfectionism and imposter syndrome show up like well meaning bodyguards trying to protect you from the unknown. They want to keep you from feeling exposed. They want to shield the part of you that doesn’t want to fail publicly.
And at some point in your life, those guards probably did keep you safe.
But here’s the dark side:
The same armor that protects you from failure also blocks you from growth.
From opportunity. From progress. From the kind of success that only comes after you push through the fear.
And this cycle? It doesn’t magically disappear as you level up.
Trust me… I’ve tried.
But you don’t have to “defeat” it. You just have to reframe it.
Notice it. Name it. Don’t run from it.
When the whispers show up… “Don’t hit publish.” “You shouldn’t charge that much.” “You’re not ready.”
“You don’t belong.” “You’re not good enough.” …don’t panic. Don’t shame yourself. Don’t pretend you don’t hear them. And don’t run.
Instead, greet them.
Thank them for trying to protect you. Let them know you’re choosing to move anyway.
Because you will be OK, even if:
You miss the mark
You lose the proposal
You get a nasty comment
You have to try again
You fail in front of a few people
Growth doesn’t come from eliminating fear. It comes from moving with fear still in the room.
That’s courage.
And courage always produces momentum.
And momentum produces mastery.
Creatives don’t grow by waiting until everything feels safe. We grow by taking one honest, imperfect step at a time.
Walt Whitman once said something that I know is simple, but it carries weight:
“I exist as I am, that is enough.”
Move from that place. You’ll be surprised by what happens.
