This is the perfect exercise to let go of your perfectionism.
Is this something you struggle with? Perfectionism usually involves insecurity, wanting to be in control, or only measuring your worth by your achievements.
In this exercise, we’ll tackle all these three things.
As we’ll make an invisible drawing, you have no control over the outcome. This might be scary, but I dare you to try it. You can only grow if you venture outside your comfort zone.
We’ll focus on the process of creating rather than on the outcome. It’s all about being in the moment and following your feelings and intuition, and tapping into the innate creativity that we all have inside us.
You’ll create for yourself and no one else.
Be kind to yourself and try not to judge. All feelings are valid and can be present. Just notice that they are there and continue.
Afterward, check in with yourself and see how this exercise made you feel. Was it scary? Was it freeing? Were you surprised?
Go slow and enjoy the feeling of your crayon on paper, the tinkling sound of your brush in the water jar, watch your watercolor blend, and enjoy the reveal of your drawing.
Some creative me-time just for you!
Have fun. Hopefully, this exercise to let go of perfectionism helped you.
Please let me know if you’ve tried this one; I would love to see it or hear about your experience.
You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown
Supplies used:
Watercolor paper 300gr (Fabriano), watercolor (Kuretake Gansai Tambi), paint brush (creArt), white oil pastel (Sennelier), washi tape, and a paper towel.
Alternative supply suggestions:
You can use your kids’ watercolor paints or go over your drawing with a pencil or colored pencils.
If you don’t have oil pastels, use a white crayon, a wax pastel, or masking fluid.
If you only have regular paper, please be aware that your paper cannot hold that much water and will probably warp. Try taping it down to prevent it from warping too much.
Instructions:
Step 1
Before you start, slowly breathe in and out a few times to clear your head. This will help you to let go of all the day-to-day stress and will bring you to the present.
Then, add washi tape around the borders to create a frame around your drawing.
Grab a white oil pastel or crayon and draw on your white paper. Because it’s white on white, you can’t see what you’re drawing, which means you don’t have any control over the outcome. Let this be a moment where you let go of perfectionism.
Freely move your crayon over your page. Your hand will guide you. Make movements that calm you. There is no right or wrong way to do this exercise.
It’s all about play and intuition. Have fun!
Step 2
Now, it’s time to reveal our drawing.
Choose watercolors that you like or that calm you. Dip your brush in the water and add some paint to your brush. Slowly go over your page.
You can add straight lines or make curves. Do what feels good.
When your drawing is revealed, approach it with kindness. Look at how your lines flow and your accomplishments with this exercise.
You were able to draw and be in the moment. You forgot about everything, even your perfectionism, for a while.
How did it feel? Were you able to relax and get lost in the process?
Please let me know in the comments below.
When you’re done, slowly remove your washi tape. Keep the tape parallel to your paper when you remove it, preventing your document from tearing.
Now you’re done with this exercise to let go of perfectionism! I hope you had fun.
If you liked this exercise, you might also like my mindful neurographic coloring exercise.