The Creative Musician’s
Guide to Embracing Imperfection
How to Let Go, Enjoy the Process, and Fuel Your Creative Growth
Welcome
Thank you for being here.
I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to walk the path of a musician, especially when doubt, fear, and self-criticism can sometimes feel overwhelming.
If you’re reading this, it means you are passionate about your craft, and I honor that commitment. I know firsthand how hard it can be when your inner critic takes over, making it difficult to enjoy the creative process.
The intention behind this guide – and my work as a whole – is to support passionate musicians like you in overcoming these roadblocks.
I feel honored to witness musicians like you invest their energy and focus into following their deepest calling, and I am grateful for the trust you place in me by reading this guide.
Why I created this guide
When I started my own journey, I often wished there was someone to transparently share what it’s really like to deal with the mean inner dialogue that sometimes comes up. I wished for someone to tell me that it’s okay to create messy, “shitty” music, and that perfection is not the goal – self-kindness and creative play are.
The truth is, we all face moments of doubt.
But in those moments, I’ve found that the key is to let go of the need for perfection and simply enjoy the act of creating.
This guide is here to help you do just that.
I don’t pretend to be the perfect or most refined musician myself.
Instead, I offer an honest, vulnerable perspective, hoping that this transparency inspires you to continue walking the path of music and to alchemize your life experience through it. This is what I feel is the true alchemy of music and transformative power of art.
Content
Introduction
My Path with Music
Part 1
Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing "Shitty Music"
Part 2
The Importance of Playfulness in Music
Part 3
"Shitty Music" Is Part of the Learning Process
Part 4
Imperfection Is a Path to Non-Attachment
Part 5
Tending to Your Creative Fire
Works to Explore
Inspirations for Creative Freedom and Artistic Growth
This guide is here to remind you that it’s not about the end product, but the act of creation.
By embracing imperfection, we make space for freedom, playfulness, and authentic expression.
As Leonard Cohen once said:
“Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.”
Music, too, is the ash of our existence – a byproduct of a life lived fully, not something that needs to be crafted into perfection.
Let’s dive in and explore how you can shift your mindset, release your inner critic, and fall in love with the creative process.
INTRODUCtion
As musicians and artists, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure of perfection – striving for flawless performances, polished recordings, and Instagram-worthy music.
But what if I told you that imperfection is not something to avoid, but something to embrace?
What if letting go of the need to be “good” could actually fuel your creative growth?
My Path With Music
I’ve been on my own creative journey for many years now, and I’ve found music to be one of the most powerful tools for healing and personal transformation.
My path is deeply connected to ceremonial music, where songs are not just melodies – they are medicine. I’ve performed music in sacred settings and have experienced firsthand the way music can shift energy, bring emotional release, and connect us to something deeper within ourselves.
But this path has not always been easy. Like many creatives, I’ve battled self-doubt and the fear that my music wasn’t “good enough.”
There were times when my inner critic seemed louder than the music I was creating. But through the ups and downs, I’ve learned that the most important thing isn’t whether the music is perfect – it’s whether the music is authentic and whether I’m enjoying the process.
That’s what I want to share with you in this guide: how to release the pressure to be perfect and reconnect with the joy of making music.
Lets embark on this journey now...
As musicians, we often get caught in the trap of perfectionism.
We want every note to land flawlessly, every lyric to feel profound, and every recording to sound pristine.
But the truth is: the pursuit of perfection can stifle our creativity and rob us of the joy that comes from playing music.
Perfectionism creates a barrier between us and the act of creation.
When we obsess over whether our song is “good enough,” we begin to lose sight of the real reason we make music in the first place – to express ourselves, to connect with others, and to enjoy the process.
The more we focus on perfecting the final product, the more we forget the beauty of simply creating for the sake of creating.
WHY "SHITTY MUSIC" MATTERS
"Shitty music" isn’t just a concept I’ve embraced – it’s a creative tool.
This idea of embracing imperfection in the creative process was something I first learned from Amie McNee, a creativity coach and author who inspires artists of all walks to create their art with freedom.
Amie uses the term “shitty art” to describe the importance of allowing yourself to create imperfectly, as a way to unlock your creativity.
By giving ourselves permission to create music that isn’t perfect, we allow ourselves to experiment, explore, and take risks without the fear of failure.
When we create “shitty music,” we let go of the need for approval or validation and instead focus on the act of creating itself.
RECLAIMING PLAYFULNES IN MUSIC
Think of it this way: when children create art, they don’t worry about whether their painting will hang in a gallery or whether their song will top the charts.
They just enjoy the process – finger painting, singing made-up songs, or banging on a drum. There’s a freedom in this kind of play, and as adults, we can learn a lot from that approach.
Creating "shitty music" is about reclaiming that freedom and allowing ourselves to be playful again.
It’s about realizing (and honoring the fact!) that every great musician had the courage to make countless imperfect songs along the way.
Those imperfect creations are what allow us to grow and improve, and discover our originality.
More than that, they allow us to enjoy the process of making music in the present moment, without the pressure of perfection.
MY OWN EXPERIENCE WITH "SHITTY MUSIC"
Recently, I had a perfect example of this when I decided to have some fun with one of my favorite ceremonial songs, “Jurema Oh Jurema” by Josii Yakecan. It’s a song that’s very close to my heart because it was the first one I ever played in a ceremony.
However, instead of focusing on getting it right or staying true to its original form, I opened up GarageBand and decided to experiment.
I layered tracks, added an electric organ and trombone – two instruments I had never worked with before – and ended up creating something completely whacky.
By all traditional standards, the result was “shitty.”
But… I had so much fun making it!
I wasn’t worried about whether it sounded good or if anyone else would like it. I was just enjoying the process of creating.
That moment reminded me of how freeing it is to let go of the pressure to be perfect. It taught me that by allowing myself to create without judgment, I could reconnect with the pure joy of making music.
WHY PERFECTIONISM CAN HOLD US BACK
The need to be perfect often stems from a fear of judgment – whether from ourselves or others. We want to be seen as talented, skilled, and worthy.
The paradox lies in the principle that the more we cling to perfection, the less room we give ourselves to grow.
Perfectionism leads to creative paralysis. It makes us hesitate before trying something new, afraid that we’ll fail. But failure is an inevitable part of the process.
Letting Go of Perfection and Embracing "Shitty Music"
PART 1
THE FREEDOM OF NON-ATTACHMENT
One of the most beautiful aspects of embracing “shitty music” is that it teaches us to practice non-attachment.
When we let go of the need to control the outcome of our music, we allow ourselves to flow with the creative process. This is especially important in spiritual or ceremonial music, where music is not just an expression of skill but a channel for something greater.
In these moments, we become vessels for the music, letting it move through us without worrying about whether it’s perfect.
The music becomes less about us and more about the energy and intention behind it.
This is where the true power of music lies – not in perfection, but in the authenticity of the moment.
When we release the fear of making mistakes and allow ourselves to create freely, we unlock our deepest creative potential.
We stop being held back by judgment, and instead, we move forward with a sense of curiosity and playfulness.
PRACTICAL TIPS, FOR LETTING GO OF PERFECTIONISM.
ADD SOMETHING WEIRD
Dedicate 30 minutes a week to creating something experimental. The goal is to add something weird or unusual to your music.
Whether it’s layering strange sounds on a track, singing out of your normal range, or playing an unfamiliar instrument – just let yourself play without judgment.
This will support you in uncovering your originality.
LISTEN FOR EMOTION, SOUL, VIBRANCE
The next time you record yourself, instead of listening for mistakes, try listening for what feels alive in the music.
Is there a moment where the energy shifts?
Focus on the emotions and energy behind the music, not just the technical aspects.
REMIND YOURSELF
Music is a Reflection of Life: As Leonard Cohen said, “Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.” The same goes for music.
It’s the ash of our existence – let it flow freely from who you are, without needing it to be polished and perfect.
Conclusion
Conclusion
By embracing “weird music,” you open yourself to the freedom of creativity and embark on the path of discovering your unique artistic DNA.
You let go of the heavy burden of perfection and discover the lightness that comes from creating without judgment.
Music is not just about the final product – it’s about the act of creation itself.
If you can allow yourself – even just a litte – to make mistakes, to explore, and to be imperfect, you are unlocking your originality and growing into the musician you are meant to be.
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned in my musical journey is the necessity of playfulness.
It’s easy to approach music as something serious (almost like a kind of “sport”), especially when we’re deeply invested in it or view it as a key part of our identity.
But the truth is, music – like any creative act – thrives on play.
When we lose that playful spirit, we risk stifling our creativity, becoming rigid “musical athletes”, and losing sight of why we started connecting to music in the first place.
Think of the last time you felt truly connected to your music:
Was it when you were stressing about every single note being perfect?
Or was it when you allowed yourself to let go, to play, and to simply enjoy the act of exploring without expectations?
The Importance of Playfulness in Music
PART 2
CREATIVITY THRIVES THROUGH PLAY
Creativity isn’t something that can be forced. It flourishes when we give ourselves the freedom to explore, experiment, …
… and especially, when we give ourselves permission to make mistakes.
Playfulness is the key, that unlocks that freedom.
When children create, they do so without any concern for how the end product will be judged. They aren’t worried about whether their art will hang in a gallery, or whether their song will win an award.
They just paint, sing, or dance because it feels good.
They’re in the moment, experiencing the sheer joy of creation.
This sense of play is something we can all learn from, and it’s something we can actively cultivate as musicians.
When we allow ourselves to play, we remove the pressure to be perfect and make room for spontaneity.
This is where the most profound creative breakthroughs occur – when we let go of control and simply let the music flow.
PLAYFULNESS LEADS TO DISCOVERY
When I sit down to create music, I try to approach it with a mindset of curiosity.
Which weird touch can I add?
What would this song sound like if I sang it from the perspective of … (insert a loved one here)?
What can I reveal today that I didn’t know existed in my music?
By approaching music with a curious spirit, I’ve been able to discover new sounds and styles I never would have found otherwise.
For example, during a practice session, I was working on a song but found myself getting bored with singing the original lyrics.
So, instead of sticking to them, I decided to improvise with my voice over the same chord progression.
At first, I missed a lot of transitions between chords, sang some wrong notes that didn’t fit the scale, and explored parts of my vocal range I hadn’t used before.
But it was fun, and after a while of messing around, something magical happened: a new, original melody solidified.
From that melody, lyrics started to appear, almost organically. And before I knew it, I had written my first original song.
That wouldn’t have happened if I had stayed stuck in the mindset of “getting it right” or trying to be perfect. It happened because I allowed myself to play.
Playfulness opens the door to discovery.
Through improvisation, trial and error, and not worrying about mistakes, I found something new and authentic in my voice. That playful spirit of experimentation gave me new insights into my process and reminded me that music doesn’t always have to be serious.
Sometimes it’s enough just to have fun with what you are creating.
SHIFTING FROM PERFORMANCE TO PLAY
As musicians, we often put pressure on ourselves to perform. Whether we’re playing for an audience or just creating music at home, there’s a part of us that wants to be impressive. We want to prove that we’re talented, that we’re good at what we do. But this performance-based mindset can become a heavy weight on our creativity.
When we shift from a mindset of performance to one of play, something beautiful happens:
We become curious again.
We start to take risks. We allow ourselves to be vulnerable and explore new sounds, new rhythms, and new emotions. Instead of trying to impress others, we start to make music for the pure joy of it.
For me, this shift has been a major part of my growth as a musician. There was a time when I was so focused on whether people would like my music that I lost touch with the joy of creating. But when I let go of that need to perform perfectly, I was able to reconnect with the playful side of music.
THE JOY OF PLAYING WITHOUT EXPECTATION
One of the most transformative things I’ve learned is that the magic happens when we stop caring about the result. When I stopped worrying about whether my music was “good enough” for an audience or “worthy” of being shared, I was able to fully immerse myself in the creative process.
This shift isn’t always easy.
We live in a world where we’re constantly judged by our achievements, whether that’s on social media, in performances, or in the eyes of others. But when we can set that aside – even if just for a moment – we open up a new level of freedom in our music.
We make room for the unexpected, for the strange, and for the wonderful. We tap into our innate creativity and allow ourselves to be surprised by what comes out.
Playing without expectation is also an act of self-compassion.
It’s a way of telling yourself:
“It’s okay if this isn’t perfect. It’s okay if this isn’t even good. What matters is that I’m here, I’m creating, and I’m enjoying the process.”
RELEASING SELF-JUDGMENT
One of the biggest barriers to playfulness in music is self-judgment.
We’re often our own worst critics, constantly evaluating our work as either good or bad.
But this kind of black-and-white thinking can stop us in our tracks. If we’re always worried about whether what we’re creating is “worthy,” we’ll never give ourselves the freedom to experiment or take risks.
To truly embrace playfulness in music, we have to learn how to release self-judgment.
This doesn’t mean ignoring areas where we can improve, but it does mean letting go of the harsh inner critic that tells us we’re not good enough.
Playfulness requires openness – an openness to mistakes, an openness to learning, and an openness to self-compassion.