There’s a particular ache that comes with wanting to create and feeling unable to. The blank page, the unopened sketchbook, the half-finished idea gathering dust. For many of us—especially those who’ve internalised high expectations, shame, or the need to “get it right”—creative blocks aren’t just frustrating. They’re deeply personal.
And often, perfectionism is sitting quietly at the root.
What Perfectionism Really Is
Perfectionism isn’t about having high standards. It’s about fear.
Fear of being judged.
Fear of not being good enough.
Fear of what might surface if we let ourselves be truly seen.
It’s a protective strategy—one that often begins early, especially for those of us who’ve had to perform safety, competence, or likability to survive. For queer folks, neurodivergent folks, and anyone who’s lived under the gaze of marginalisation, perfectionism can be a way of shielding ourselves from harm.
But the cost is steep. It can silence our creativity, disconnect us from joy, and leave us feeling stuck in cycles of self-criticism and avoidance.
The Anatomy of a Creative Block
Creative blocks aren’t laziness. They’re often a nervous system response.
When the stakes feel high—when we fear failure, rejection, or exposure—our bodies may freeze. We procrastinate, distract, or spiral into overthinking. The inner critic gets loud. The body tightens. The impulse to create becomes tangled with dread.
And yet, creativity is a birthright. It’s not about producing masterpieces. It’s about expression, connection, and aliveness.
In Therapy, We Might Explore…
- The stories and beliefs that fuel perfectionism
- How shame and fear show up in the body
- The impact of trauma, identity, and internalised oppression on creativity
- Ways to gently reconnect with play, curiosity, and self-trust
We might use somatic tools to notice where tension lives. We might explore early relational dynamics that shaped your sense of worth. We might sit together in the discomfort of the blank page—and learn that it doesn’t have to mean failure.
Reflective Prompts
Try journaling with these:
- What does “getting it right” mean to me—and where did that story begin?
- What sensations arise in my body when I think about creating?
- What would it feel like to create without needing it to be good?
- What am I afraid will happen if I let myself be seen?
A Different Kind of Creativity
Healing perfectionism isn’t about lowering your standards. It’s about shifting the goalposts—from “impressive” to “authentic,” from “flawless” to “alive.”
It’s about letting your work be messy, tender, and true.
It’s about making space for the part of you that longs to speak, even if your voice shakes.
It’s about remembering that creativity isn’t a performance—it’s a relationship.
And like all relationships, it needs care, patience, and permission to evolve.
a space to reflect 