Be Real, Create: Embracing Messy Progress in Your Creative Life

Do you ever get that nagging feeling you’re “doing it wrong” while trying to share your creative work online? I’ve been there...scrolling through endless methods, systems, and blueprint promises, but there’s always that missing piece, right? The truth I’ve come to discover is that the very messiness, mistakes, and imperfections are what actually allow us to grow, evolve, and ultimately find fulfillment in our creative process.

In this post, I’m diving into the biggest creative mistakes I made in 2025, why I now celebrate them, and how you can keep moving forward (messy drafts and all) to create a richer, more authentic creative life in motion. Whether you make YouTube videos, write books, or simply dream of finishing a passion project, this one’s for you.

Embracing Messy Progress: Why Mistakes Are Creative Fuel

It’s tempting to look for the “right” formula for creative success..especially online, where everyone has a method to sell. But the reality is that creative work is an inside job. There’s no magic system that guarantees fulfillment or even consistent results. The process is inherently messy, and that’s good news.

Every failure is a sign you’re moving and experimenting. Every so-called setback is a lesson in what doesn’t work and an invitation to adjust. Creative growth lives in the pivot moments, not in the polished finish.

My Creative Missteps of 2025: Unfiltered

• Not following my own outline: I doubted the system that helped me write my first book and thought there must be a better way out there. That resulted in confusion and a manuscript that didn’t feel like mine.

• Letting the wrong tools block me: Moving everything into Microsoft Word brought back old school anxieties and stifled my flow. Environment matters..choose tools that lift you up, not drag you down.

• Boxing myself in by “niche”: YouTube rewarded my weight loss and walking videos, but my soul craved deeper creative and mindset conversations. Trying to create a separate channel only split my focus and energy.

It was only when I accepted these missteps, brought my work back into one space, and let go of the need to “fit the mold” that my creativity started flowing again.

Why Your Blueprint Only Works When Lived

We all love a good plan or blueprint. In fact, I created a detailed guiding post at the start of the year and relied on it… until real life collided with the schedule. Time constraints, travel (hello, Italy!), audience feedback, and evolving passions all forced me to constantly adjust.

Instead of turfing the plan when life got complicated, I learned to document the realities celebrating the road bumps as proof that I was in motion. The important part wasn’t avoiding mistakes but being willing to pivot when the plan didn’t fit real life.

Key Insight:

There are always variables you can’t control: time, money, life events. Being flexible and honest about your progress especially the messy parts makes the journey richer and more sustainable.

The Truth About Consistency (and Why It’s Not Perfection)

Discipline and daily action absolutely matter. If you want to be a writer, you need to write. If you want to be fit, you need to move. If you want to build a creative brand, you need to show up imperfectly, but consistently.

But here’s the overlooked secret: you don’t have to chase someone else’s version of “right” or “best.” You just have to show up as YOU.

Stop waiting for guaranteed outcomes or comparing yourself to overnight success stories. Most creatives put in years (and sometimes decades) before their work reaches its audience. The first draft, first video, or first year of anything isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to teach, reveal, and build your unique voice.

How AI Fits (and Where It Doesn’t)

In 2025, it’s natural to turn to AI for step-by-step answers or writing prompts. I did! These tools can offer structure and ideas, but they can’t do the deep work for you. When I let AI tell me how to restructure my book, I ended up disconnected from my own message.

AI can assist, support, and spark ideas, but your creative work is only powerful when it reflects your experience, intuition, and voice. Use technology as a helpful pillar, not a crutch.

Let Go of Niche Anxiety: Generalist Power and Creative Freedom

For years, I felt pressured to niche down especially on social platforms where algorithms reward consistent keywords and categories. That’s why I tried creating a separate writing channel and nearly burned out.

Here’s the truth: as creatives, we’re often generalists. It’s not only okay to have multiple interests; it’s a strength. Pat Flynn, a mentor in the creator world, calls himself a “generalist” and proves that diverse expertise can spark more innovation and longevity.

If you picture yourself a year (or two) from now, do you still want to be known for that one niche topic? If not, make room for your full range. The more real and multifaceted you are, the more connection and resonance you’ll create.

Authenticity Isn’t a Buzzword: Keep the “You” in Your Creative Work

The creative world is full of polished, planned, “authentic” content yet real connection comes through the messy, true-to-life moments. Your audience doesn’t want a persona; they want the real you.

Show your process. Laugh at your mistakes. Share your unfinished drafts. You don’t need permission to change podcast names, try new formats, or experiment with new ideas. The only wrong move is letting fear of imperfection freeze your progress.

Every time you show up in a way that’s true to yourself, you invite others to do the same.

The Myth of Overnight Success: Keep Taking Messy Action

Most people don’t love their first book, first video, or first year online. Viral moments are outliers, not the norm. Behind every “overnight” success is a long story of unshared drafts, private victories, and plenty of letdowns.

You don’t control the timeline of your creative life but you do control your willingness to keep going. Every piece you share could impact someone today or years from now. Your only job is to keep showing up and letting yourself be seen, flaws and all.

Practical Reminders for Creatives

• Document your process: Don’t hide the road bumps; celebrate the pivots.

• Curate your environment: Work where you feel energized and creative.

• Stay consistent (not perfect): Showing up matters more than flawless execution.

• Don’t split your focus: Bring your work into one central hub when possible.

• Allow your story to evolve: You’re allowed to rename, repurpose, and reimagine your work.

Permission to Be Messy

You don’t need to wait to be “ready,” perfectly organized, or polished to put your work out there. Give yourself permission to be messy, keep the “you” in everything you do, and trust that real growth is happening every step of the way.

Remember, every day you’re not sharing your unique voice is a missed opportunity for you and for someone who needs your story. So let’s keep moving, keep creating, and keep it real. Creative life in motion isn’t about perfection; it’s about movement and choosing to show up, right where you are, today.

If you’re shaking off old patterns and keeping it real in the new era of creative work, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or reach out my inbox is always open. Keep going. Your creative journey matters.