As a Piscean, I have mastered the art of procrastination, a skill so finely tuned it often masquerades as creativity, intuition, or the need for cosmic alignment. At the same time, I am tormented by perfectionism, that quiet tyrant whispering self-doubt into every effort, making even the act of beginning feel like an insurmountable task.
It is a cycle that plays out endlessly, especially when writing. One moment, inspiration sweeps over me like a great tidal wave, carrying me to places unknown—ideas so profound they feel sacred, emotions so raw they demand to be poured onto the page. And then, the tide recedes, leaving behind the stark white emptiness of the blank page. I sit there, fingers hovering over the keyboard, questioning whether the vision in my mind can ever be translated into words that do it justice.
I tell myself I need more time. That the story must marinate in the depths of my subconscious, that clarity will come when the stars align. But deep down, I know it is fear—fear that my words will fall short, that my best effort will not be enough, that imperfection will expose my inadequacies. So, I wait, hoping that when the moment is right, the universe will speak through me again.
And sometimes, it does. In an instant, I am overtaken by a rush of intuition, as if the cosmos has opened a floodgate just for me. The words spill out, raw and unfiltered, and for a fleeting moment, I believe in their magic.
But then the perfectionist awakens. It reads what I have written and sees only flaws – the rhythm is off, the imagery is weak, the emotions that felt so visceral now seem distant. I edit, I rewrite, I scrap entire pages, chasing an ideal that forever seems just out of reach. The more I push for perfection, the more doubt seeps in, like mist over water. What if I’m not meant to write this book at all?
Understanding the Paradox: Jungian and Taoist Perspectives
This tension -between the impulse to create freely and the compulsion to refine relentlessly – is not unique to me. It is a universal experience, one that psychology and philosophy have long sought to explain.
Carl Jung believed that opposing forces exist within us not as flaws, but as integral aspects of the psyche. One part of me craves control, structure, and precision: another part resists, longing for fluidity and surrender. Procrastination, then, is not mere laziness – it is the unconscious rebelling against the tyranny of perfectionism. It is the soul’s quiet plea for patience, for trust, for the wisdom of timing.
Taoism, too, speaks of this paradox. The Tao Te Ching teaches that great perfection appears flawed, that the most skilful path often seems clumsy. What seems like avoidance may actually be preparation. What feels like imperfection may, in truth, be the only path to wholeness.
The Balance Between Procrastination and Perfectionism
Jung’s concept of individuation – the process of integrating opposing forces within the self – offers a path forward. Instead of viewing procrastination and perfectionism as enemies, we can recognize them as complementary forces. Both have wisdom to offer:
- Procrastination teaches patience, timing, and the value of allowing ideas to emerge naturally.
- Perfectionism teaches discipline, mastery, and the pursuit of excellence.
When balanced, these forces create a healthy rhythm — a cycle of incubation, action, refinement, and completion.
Taoism reinforces this idea. The 45th verse of the Tao Te Ching reminds us:
“Great perfection seems flawed, yet it does not fail. Great fullness seems empty, yet it is inexhaustible.”
What seems like procrastination may actually be preparation. What seems like imperfection may actually be the path to wholeness.
Applying These Lessons to Creativity
How do we move from frustration to flow? By embracing the paradox:
- Acknowledge procrastination as part of the process. Instead of fighting it, recognize its wisdom. It may be a sign that your unconscious needs time to process.
- Redefine perfection. Perfection does not mean flawlessness but authenticity. Strive for wholeness, not an impossible standard.
- Flow, don’t force. The Tao teaches that the best action is often effortless. Jungian psychology echoes this, emphasizing that deep transformation happens naturally when we integrate opposites rather than resist them.
- Trust in timing. Both Taoism and Jung suggest that timing is key. There is a right time to wait and a right time to act. The key is learning to recognize the natural rhythm of creation.
Conclusion: The Power of Paradox
Rather than seeing procrastination and perfectionism as obstacles, we can view them as guides to self-awareness. Jung and the Tao both teach that embracing paradox leads to wholeness.
If you are procrastinating, ask: What is my unconscious trying to tell me?
If you are trapped in perfectionism, ask: Am I resisting the natural flow?
Ultimately, the path to true mastery is not one of force, but one of balance. By integrating effort and ease, discipline and surrender, perfection, and imperfection, we step into a state of creativity that is both powerful and harmonious.
Or, as the Tao Te Ching suggests —great skill may seem clumsy, but in that clumsiness, true mastery is found.
In Tenderness,
Ashé — Being Human
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In softness and integrity — Ashé
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