The Key to Creative Freedom

Recently, I stumbled across a video on YouTube relating to creativity in the photography field. It revealed a Japanese philosophy known as Wabi-sabi, which can be summarized as stating:

Nothing is Permanent

Nothing is Finished

Nothing is Perfect

This philosophy is a great way to conduct creative work, especially for those who are prone to culturing a “perfectionist” mindset. For a majority of creative workers, belief in a perfect composition or piece of work is thought to show viewers a sense of mastery in one’s field of work.

However, the philosophy of Wabi-sabi shows us that perfectionism is a pursuit of work that is void of individuality and instead replaces that individuality with a sense of sterility. In other words, perfect work lacks the certain individual characteristics of what makes you who you are. This reflection in your creative works shows not a sense of mastery but rather a lack of personal touch.

Because nothing is perfect it means we produce a piece of work that is imperfect. This imperfection leads to individuality, rather a representation of our flaws leaking into the creative work we do. This individuality adds a unique value that cannot be reproduced by anyone other than yourself.

A pursuit on perfection is to do yourself an injustice. Perfectionism robs you of your individuality and detracts the unique value that you add to any piece of work.

A quick look at the pillars that make Wabi-sabi will show you why the philosophy is so important to creative individuals.

Nothing is Permanent

This particular pillar of Wabi-sabi is important, as it demonstrates a key understanding that not only do we have limited time on this planet but so too do the things around us, including our work.

This understanding helps one to develop a habit of not taking your creative work too seriously, as it will eventually be forgotten or lost to the common tale of time. Knowing this will allow you to release the perfectionist mindset and feel at ease releasing something you feel “isn’t ready.”

Nothing is Finished

Everything is in constant change, even work that one may have deemed ‘finished’. Everything belongs to a journey, whether that ‘thing’ is material, digital or mental. Everything is constantly moving, being viewed or being changed, whether or not we want it.

This outlook on things being in constant changes of revision allow us to look back at past work and change things that we feel it can improve on. It brings a sense of ‘non-closure’ or an ever changing attitude toward our creativity. Things are not set in stone and can be revised when we feel. After all, we are constantly growing individuals … why should our work not grow with us?

Nothing is Perfect

This is the most important understanding of “Wabi-sabi.” Nothing is or ever will be perfect. In any creative endeavor, there will always be a better or more effective approach. The approach you choose will not be perfect but as long as it captures the idea that you had when starting, then you should not worry about it, because no matter how much effort you put into your work, it will never be perfect.

Perfection is something that is different for everyone, especially in regards to creativity. What one individual sees as perfect, another sees as flawed. You should not stretch yourself to meet others’ standards of perfections nor should you do the same for your own standards of perfection. What you see as perfect now may change as you grow as a person. What you thought was perfect in past creative works may now seem ultimately flawed, but it is those very realizations and understandings that make your seemingly flawed work all that more valuable. It’s work that you created in a different time and therefore different mindset. It’s a marker that shows you where you’ve come from and how you’ve changed. Embrace your flaws and worry not about creating perfect projects. Simply enjoy the process and share your unique style through your work.