The Starting Line
Perfectionism has always had a strong grip on me. I used to avoid taking notes in a new notebook, worried about messing up the clean pages. I wouldn’t take many photos either because deleting them felt like erasing a moment. But progress doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from letting go of that fear and diving into the mess.
The Path
In today’s world, we have unlimited storage—literally and metaphorically. We live in a time where mistakes can be instantly erased, photos deleted, and drafts rewritten. This flexibility should allow us to create freely, but perfectionism creeps in, stalling progress.
It’s easy to get caught up in doing things perfectly the first time, but that’s not how growth happens. Whether it’s taking 5000 photos to capture the perfect shot or scribbling down messy ideas in a notebook, it’s the process of revising, refining, and deleting that leads to the best results. Each mistake is a stepping stone, each imperfect photo or note is a micro-adjustment toward improvement.
The idea that “how you do one thing is how you do everything” rings true. I was trying to keep my work clean and perfect, but in doing so, I was limiting my ability to upgrade and improve. It’s in the mess that we learn. It’s the same whether you’re taking pictures, writing, or doing life—everything requires refinement through practice, adjustments, and yes, even mistakes.
We have the tools at our disposal to try and try again. The beauty of living in a digital age is that there’s room to make mistakes, delete them, and start fresh. The key is to embrace this process rather than shy away from it.
The Finish Line
Perfectionism can be paralyzing, but it’s a myth. In reality, life and work are a series of trials, errors, and improvements. Every photo you take, every note you write, and every project you pursue is an opportunity to learn. Don’t be afraid to make the pages messy or take 5000 shots to get that one perfect image.
In the end, progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about doing, learning, and doing it again.
Stay Liberated,
Peace be the journey,
Ace
One Way Grit 