Perfection doesn’t exist. I know you know this, but somehow you keep trying to find it. You do it when you go back to edit before finishing your first draft. You do it when you stop your freewriting to cross things out. And that fear you feel before sitting down the write, the one that often keeps you from writing at all? That’s you trying to be perfect.
There’s a way out of perfection, though.
I’ve put together this list of writing prompts to help you crush that pesky quest for perfection and write in all your wonderful, glorious fallibility and foible.
Each prompt is what I called a targeted free writes. With a regular free write, you sit and write for ten minutes with no particular idea or goal in mind. You give yourself permission to write, no matter what ends up on the page. Even if you have nothing to say and end up writing “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done” for the full ten minutes.
Note: I have never known this to actually happen even when people start with nothing to say.
A targeted free write asks you to give yourself into the writing and whatever comes to mind but begins with one particular topic with a specific goal in mind.
For each of the following writing prompts, set a timer for ten minutes, then sit down with a pen and paper or in front of your computer and write without editing until the timer goes off.
Be grateful
Life is full of the little things and when we take a moment to purposefully focus our thinking on that which is positive and good, we shift away from the negative thoughts that seep too often seep into our heads.
Spend ten minutes writing about the things for which you are grateful.
It can be small things, like a cup of tea with a smiley face teabag tag. It can be something big… like finishing writing a whole damn book or giving birth.
There are many more small happy things in life than large things, which means there are endless little possibilities each day to focus on gratitude. That’s not to say you will suddenly be lifted out of depression or stop feeling anxiety, but it can help you recognize you’re already doing plenty of things just right.
Find the little happy things. They’re always there, even if sometimes they’re hiding.
Let go of perfection
We accept imperfection in others all the time. We don’t criticize babies for not knowing how to talk. We understand that the weather will sometimes be shitty. Everyone trips on nothing and fumbles.
Me? I talk too much. I’m too intense. I expect a level of connection that is often too much for people. I get angry too easily when I don’t get what I want quickly enough. It doesn’t mean I’m worth nothing and should just give up. It means I’m not recognizing the benefits of who I already am.
The same applies to you. If perfection doesn’t exist, what does that say about you?
For this prompt, sit and meditate in writing on some of the ways you are not perfect then make a conscious choice to see them differently and accept them lovingly. How are your “flaws” actually benefiting you?
Trust yourself.
This writing prompt is designed for you to follow your instinct no matter what weird place it leads you. It can be a true story. You can make it up completely. Do what feels right for you. When you start to tense up and feel you’re not doing it right, remind yourself that perfection doesn’t exist. Then keep following your own special star.
Tell a story about a time you trusted yourself and were glad you did.
What is your book or story about?
Over the course of these prompts, you’ve learned to be grateful for what you have and who you are. You recognize perfection doesn’t exist and have begun to let go of your desire to reach it. You trust yourself. You believe in yourself and your instinct, it’s time to sit down and write your story.
Tell me what your story is about.
I don’t want to know the plot. But what do you want those who read it to understand and feel when they finish reading your book? You may not entirely know yet, but a good free write will help you flesh out your ideas and what you want to do with your story.
Now that you’ve faced your own imperfection, come and tell me about it! When you sign up below for my newsletter, I’ll e-mail you with 3 more writing prompts to crush your desire for perfection and boost your self-confidence, PLUS I’ll give you access to my private online group for writers. Come and be not perfect with us!
