In my last post, I shared how I hold space for the constant stream of ideas in my journals. Naturally, that leads to a harder question: Are all ideas good ones? And more specifically for the creative process—is it more important to start, or to finish?

I have always been a “seize the moment” personality. I love jumping into projects unplanned; there is an undeniable electricity in watching a piece unfold in real-time. I am, without a doubt, a starter.

However, the shadow side of that energy is a studio filled with unfinished projects—dozens of them. During my sabbatical this year, with the luxury of time, I decided to prioritize finishing. But as I worked through the pile, I noticed something: while some projects clicked into place quickly, others had simply lost their “fizzle.”

One morning, while writing my morning pages, I asked myself: “What if I do not finish?”

My immediate fear was the waste—of time, and of materials. But I realized that I have amassed so much over the years that the greater waste would be leaving these materials untouched, rather than using them to experiment—even if those experiments never reach a “final” state.

Deciding not to follow through because the spark is gone is an intuitive response—a matter of the heart. But for me to grow as an artist, I also need to grow intellectually and practice problem-solving. That is the honest feedback I must give myself: Am I stopping because the idea is dead, or because the work is hard?

I have come to realize that if I am indeed letting go of a project, it needs proper closure. I need to know that I tried my best before walking away.

In the end, I’ve decided that starting is more important than finishing. Without the courage to begin, the problem-solving and the heart-work never even get a chance to happen.

 

How do you define if you are a starter or finisher?