Just Start: Creativity, Task Paralysis, and the Joy of Imperfection
I was hired to photograph the graduation ceremony for the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the keynote speaker’s message blew my mind.
As they looked out over the soon-to-be graduates, they said:
“Go to your studio or wherever you work, take a piece of paper, and write: ‘Just Start’, and put it someplace you'll see it every day.”
I felt that. Deeply. Because starting is something I’ve struggled with my entire life.
Task Paralysis: When Starting Feels Impossible
The scientific term for this kind of block is task paralysis—a phenomenon common among people with ADHD. Here’s how it plays out:
You want to start a creative project. Then suddenly, you see every moving part.
What could go wrong.
What needs to happen in exactly the right order.
Whether you even know what you’re doing.
And finally, the kicker: Will it even matter once it's done?
That wide-angle view floods the mind with doubts. The imagination, instead of inspiring us, fills every blank space with anxiety.
Trick Your Inner Critic: Start by Messing Up
Here’s one trick I use:
Tell yourself to start by making a mistake.
Take a bad picture. Write a stupid sentence. Draw something boring. Whatever. Just start.
That first step doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be a step.
From Perfectionism to Play
I started drawing and painting again, something I loved as a kid. Back then, I didn’t care that what I drew didn’t match what was in my head.
But somewhere along the way, I hired a full-time internal critic. A protector. Spring-loaded to jump in and stop anything that might make me feel vulnerable.
Spoiler: That’s a trauma response.
Giving myself permission to draw a bunch of bad pictures of cats?
Revolutionary.
Making space for mistakes gave my inner critic a much-needed rest.
They’re still useful—for fine-tuning later on—but we’ve had to renegotiate terms.
Progress Over Perfection
What happened?
I got a little better.
I started enjoying the process of getting better.
I stopped postponing joy in the name of perfection.
And I found peace in progress.
There Is No End to the Starting
Starting keeps you in the present moment.
And if you falter? Just start again.
There is no final beginning, no ultimate launch.
There are only new beginnings—and we have to talk ourselves through them, again and again,
with compassion, and a touch of humor.
So yeah:
Just start. And keep going.
Want to Explore More?
If this message resonates, here are some books, podcasts, and resources that go deeper into creativity, ADHD, and healing through art:
📚 Books
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield: A must-read for creators who struggle with resistance.
Your Brain’s Not Broken by Dr. Tamara Rosier: Strategies and compassion for living with ADHD.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: A joyful guide to creative living beyond fear.
🎙️ Podcasts
ADHD ReWired: Tools and stories for thriving with ADHD.
Creative Pep Talk: Weekly inspiration for artists and makers.
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown: Conversations on courage, vulnerability, and creativity.
🌐 Websites
How to ADHD: Engaging tools and videos for navigating life with ADHD.
