The Problems of Perfection

I've been wanting to explore the world of collage art for quite awhile now. I've done just a couple things, like the little wallpaper and bingo card pockets I made awhile back ago. And this one shown here done even before the bingo card pockets. But I didn't get too creative or daring with them. I'm holding back. Intimidated by putting something together. Afraid I won't create anything near like the examples of collage art that I've been seeing on the Internet that I have liked so much. And mostly I'm afraid of wasting my materials...that if I create something I don't like I'll wish that I could reuse the materials in another way. But once the paper and bits and bobs are glued, pasted, painted, etc. in place, there's not much chance of them being used again.

So I have these vintage wallpapers, flash cards, old dictionaries that are falling apart, and lots of other things that would be so good for collage art, that are just sitting around waiting...waiting for me to get a clue that I should not be so scared of messing up. It's a game, it's being playful. It is not about perfection. Whenever I get worried about perfection is when I give up. I slam the door almost always when I know I cannot do things perfectly. I'm not as bad about this as I used to be...but I'm still strongly held back by this. Even if I am just doing something solely for myself. Perfection inspires some to strive for and fulfill their dreams...perfection for me though...perfection makes me a quitter.

Zig Ziglar has a quote, “Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly until you learn to do it well.” That quote has helped free me a bit from paralyzing perfection...the kind of perfection that brings you to the point that you become paralyzed by the wish for it. I had found only two "cures" to that paralyzing perfection. Quit and turn around and distract yourself from what you really want. Or just say, Screw perfection...I'm going to have fun with it and do a poor job...because that's better than doing nothing at all.

I envy those who are motivated and propelled forward by their desire for perfection. But as for me, since that doesn't seem to be an option, I'll propel myself forward with every bit of my imperfection. After all, I am inspired by imperfect things and styles such Shabby Chic, and wabi sabi. And the classic children's book The Velveteen Rabbit where a well loved stuffed animal with its nose rubbed off and its fur all worn discovers it's being loved is more important than being all shiny and perfect.

And collage art itself hardly looks like it is about perfection. It's messy and crazy and eclectic...a lot like me.

I'd rather abandon perfection for something more authentic...something that is more like me.

Now...if I can only remember that. If I can only let perfection fall to the floor, and let it shatter...and I'll pick it's shiny broken pieces up and use it to make a beautiful collage like mosaic that's inspired from my heart and my dreams...and not what I worry other people will think of me.