Perfection is stagnation

Stop trying to be perfect when you’re writing.

As a writer, are you feeling the pressure to succeed on platforms like Medium and Quora? Do you want to perform and succeed but find yourself doing it to impress rather than to express your authenticity? Perfectionism often leads us to overthink, doubt ourselves, and overdo, erasing what makes us unique. By trying to please everyone, you’ll lose yourself over time.

Instead of writing freely, you’re obsessed with filtering your thoughts to fit a particular person. But by embracing what you truly want to express, you’re respecting yourself. Remember, success doesn’t mean sacrificing your authenticity.

Embrace your true self — it’s your best asset. Staying true to who you are is your best strategy.

I used to be a perfectionist until I acknowledged it and stopped denying it. The thing was that I always felt tense when I started writing on Medium. I felt this stress and pressure taking over my body while writing. Seeing all the fantastic writers out there makes it easy to be insecure. I was new, and I still am, and this is my second article. I took a long time to write another article about the first time because I was overwhelmed with all the tips on Medium. Procrastination became my norm until I realized I was putting unnecessary stress on myself just to fit into the mould. Once I realized that, it hit me, and I thought about writing about it. I unconsciously altered my style and voice to fit what I thought was acceptable on Medium. I felt terrible and grew tired of it.

I understand your desire to appear flawless, but consider this: by polishing your work, you might be erasing your authenticity and much more. Are you more scared of being rejected for being yourself or of being rejected by playing a role that isn’t you?

I was tormenting myself, censoring my true thoughts, and worrying that it might be too much until I stopped and let go. Your primary intent should be to honour yourself, not to please others. Yes, you’re writing to share and help, but I’m sure you have more to give by being you than someone you created in your mind. There are countless tastes in the world concerning writers and their work.

I reached a point where I realized I was doing too much to please others by allowing this illusion of the “perfect me” to control my thoughts. If you’re like me, let go of the need to be perfect. Just be you, write from your heart, share your unique perspective, and watch as your authenticity shines through, captivating and inspiring those who encounter your work.

In conclusion, by embracing authenticity over perfectionism, you’ll find greater fulfillment in your writing journey and forge deeper connections with your audience. Stay true to yourself, and let your genuine voice shine through.