The ART of STARTING (and Finishing) in 2025
Picture this: It’s 4 am (yes, I get up that early). I’m cuddled in my blanket on my couch with a notebook, a pen, and a steaming cup of coffee. My mind is racing; it’s 4 am, my witching hour. Ideas are churning, projects are spinning, and creative outlooks are emerging. My creative mind is on high volume with no filters. My notebook is filled with doodles, notes, and a few overambitious ideas that make me look like a mad scientist. My notetaking and doodles could pass for a football coach’s playbook. It is 4 am, and my creative mind is filled with ideas that I have planned, daydreamed, and mapped out every detail. The only thing I haven’t completed is actually pushing the go button to start.
If you’re an artist, writer, or creator, you have probably been here too. It’s that weird limbo between being incredibly inspired and utterly paralyzed. And when I finally do start, it’s not uncommon to find myself sprinting for a bit only to hit a wall halfway and never cross the finish line. Oh, the horror.
This has been my constant struggle as a creator—a cycle of endless beginnings and half-finished masterpieces collecting dust in the pile of the unfinished. But guess what? 2025 is the year I’m flipping the script or let’s say it a bit different - changing the narrative. Here’s how.
Step One: Embrace the Messy Start
Starting is scary. The blank canvas stares at you, daring you to ruin it. But here’s the truth: the first draft, the first brushstroke, the first attempt will be messy—and that’s okay. You can’t edit a blank page, and you can’t refine a non-existent painting.
My new mantra? "Done is better than perfect." To kick off a project, I’m giving myself permission to create something ugly. I’ll scribble, smudge, or even awkwardly slap paint on a canvas. Anything to break the ice. Action sparks motivation, not the other way around. So don’t wait for inspiration to strike—get moving, and it’ll catch up.
Step Two: Break It Down
Sometimes projects feel daunting because they’re just too big in my head. It’s like standing at the base of Mount Everest with a backpack full of snacks but no idea how to climb. So instead, I’m slicing my projects into bite-sized steps. For example:
Sketch a rough outline.
Block in colors or key elements.
Refine one small section at a time.
By focusing on one tiny goal at a time, I avoid overwhelming myself. Plus, celebrating these small wins (even if it’s just a high-five to myself) keeps the momentum going.
Step Three: Find Your Push
We all need a little nudge now and then. For me, it’s accountability. Telling a friend or posting a progress shot online creates gentle pressure to keep going. You can also set deadlines or reward yourself. No finishing the portrait? No Netflix. Simple as that.
Another trick? Surround yourself with inspiring people or stories. I’ll binge-watch time-lapse videos of artists finishing breathtaking works. By the end, I’m so hyped I can’t help but pick up a paintbrush.
Step Four: Make the Finish Line Fun
Finishing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. What if, instead of treating the end as an obligation, you made it something to look forward to? Maybe it’s a gallery wall for completed works or a mini-celebration for every project wrapped up. Finishing becomes less about perfection and more about the joy of saying, “Hey, I made this. And it’s done.”
2025: The Year of Starting AND Finishing
This year, I’m determined to swap my notebook of dreams for a portfolio of finished projects. I’ll embrace the messy starts, break my projects into manageable steps, and remind myself that it’s all part of the process. If you’re like me and struggle to start (or finish), know this: You’re not alone. And you can change the narrative.
So here’s to 2025—a year of beginnings, endings, and everything in between. Let’s get to work!
