“How can I avoid my perfectionist tendencies so I can be more perfect?” Damn that hit hard

"If you have any disorders, mental or real ones" killed me. Thanks for this. Needed to hear it!

Watching this at the moment (about 4mins in) and Tom Sachs came to mind instantly. He’s a sculptor that intentionally leaves glue drips and pencil markings on his work so you can tell his work is human made and not by a machine.

Took me 45 years to learn the " Third Thing" And I still forget and get stuck. Off to paint now. No, I don't care if you like it.❤

Having participated in the survey, I am SO happy to see what the final product ended up being 😂 peak awful and hilarious only because I know it’s facetious - but hoo boy, it’s so on the nose that if I didn’t know you better id be concerned. Needed this today as a fellow failure at the Wreck-This-Journal. Thank you 🥰

"If you have any disorders, mental or real ones..." that line cracked me up. We love you Cam

I audibly said “oh my god!” When your bad video started. It’s saw so satisfyingly bad and funny. I cannot get enough of your creative mind man!! Your content is so out of the box inspiring and entertaining. There’s nothing out there like this and I’m here for it 🙌🏽

There's a book called Make It Mighty Ugly by Kim Werker. Same idea, make things "ugly" on purpose. That philosophy has saved me many a time from overthinking every project I start. Or, at least learning the difference between when you need to overthink and when you need to just have fun.

i was grinning the entire time through that "awful video" that was so hilariously bad. i love it. i wanna make some bad shit now 😂 its a perfect philosophy for perfectionism. when we're trying to be creative, we dont think about the fact that going out of your way to make something insanely awful is still insanely creative, while taking the perfection completely out of it. well fuckin done, man

This is helpful as an artist who hasn't made anything in the past year.. I've been in a serious rut and I'm at the point where I don't want to draw or paint anything for fear it won't be perfect. It makes me sad.

Thank you so much for this video, I’ve been in the exact same kind of rut for months and for some reason it just occurred to me that my perfectionism toootally comes from the walking on eggshells of my childhood. I can’t wait to go fuck some shit up!! 🕺🏼

As someone who questions the premise of things quite often i feel validated.

Really needed this... Been stuck with writing and I'm a huge perfectionist. Thanks for the help !!

Couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I actually wrote on my to do list recently “watch old Struthless vids” to get inspired, and then this popped up! Much appreciated dude. I’ll start applying this to my creative endeavours as soon as I stop procrastinating 😉

Many years ago I got over a massive creative block by painting and drawing with my left hand only, as I had no pre-conceived notions of perfection attached to it. I wanted to loosen up and was … getting in my own way. And the result was extraordinary - I even chose different colours with the ‘wrong’ hand. But now I’m stuck again and THIS looks like the way out. Thank you for always turning things upside down.

I needed this reminder! Thanks! Full version: A year ago I attended a batik course in Indonesia. There were drawings you could choose from to copy and paint. Knowing my perfectionist self, I insisted on starting with a blank canvas and just drawing random lines because otherwise I'd have this perfect picture in mind I'd never achieve. However, I didn't even have the skills/technique to draw simple lines across the canvas and kept on spilling wax so I started circling every mistake. In the end everyone thought it was really cool and somehow I was quite pleased with the result. Never thought about it again until I saw your video so thanks for reminding me how fun mistakes can be.

It’s got to be synchronicity- I’ve been battling with perfectionism and I realized this morning that all my “tricks” for getting past perfectionism, were just subtle excuses to engage in perfectionism later, you know, once I got over my issues with perfectionism. 😂

Omg thank you I needed this. I am such an overthinker and constantly get stuck in planning phases or just won't even bother trying because I get caught up on this ridiculous thought that if I can't do something perfect, why bother, even though it's something completely new to me that obviously takes time and practice. Time to go fuck some shit up!

This is like 'camp', art so bad/kitsch and specifically made with that intention that it's actually good. Inspiration for another perfectionist here ✨

13:42 the holy quote to end all quotes The fun you had while making that part of the video was super contagious 😂 I'll sit down and open my game developing software and see what comes out. Haven't opened it in way too long because I always think that the game I'm working on has to end up as a commercial success. No wonder my creativity feels so stifled lately. Good luck to you and everyone else 🤗🎉

This was perfectly timed for me. I've been trying to start a channel for a long time but kept saying it isnt ready. I finally said f-it just start recording. Makes it so much easier

I think I’ve always felt that I’ve dealt with perfectionism. I’m often more intimidated by people I look up to as opposed to inspired as I feel inferior. It’s something I’ve always struggled with and I’ve been trying to work on so this is a video I needed to see.

As a fellow perfectionist and personal development junkie, your channel is one of my go to’s. You’ve had so much wisdom shared here, and I so appreciate it, but it’s true that the struggle with perfectionism is real. Here’s a recommendation: stop reading those nasty morsels in the comment section and hire someone to screen the comments for you and only forward the positive ones to you. It will do your heart tremendous good. P.S. - Most of your followers love you for who you are warts and all, and ironically, showing the imperfections just makes us relate to you and like you even more.

9 minutes in... I just want to pause the screen at every second to marvel at these amazing creations!

Name dropping "there, I ruined it" and "The Most Unwanted Song" spoke directly to my heart. I love stuff like this

I am reminded of an artist collective I came across recently called Impractical Labor in Service of the Speculative Arts, which intentionally focuses on slow, 'impractical' art & craft forms. Perfectionism can be a real block for me, and one form it takes is attacking the speed at which I do things (which, particularly in this phase of my life as a parent of small children, is slow as f***). Of course there are external pressures to do things efficiently, so we can make money to live, etc, but it is always a good reminder to find the space to go slow & imperfectly, where and when we can, simply for its own sake. And for the fact that it is a pleasant way to move through the world. So thanks for that reminder xo.

When i struggle with my perfectionism I try to utilise the mantra “done, is better than perfect” getting something finished is better than chasing perfection. Learn from it and move onto something else. But most importantly done is the goal not perfection. “Done, is better than perfect”. It can hurt and it can be a struggle to force myself to finish despite my negative feelings towards it. But. DONE is BETTER than perfect.

Yessss... I so needed to hear this today. 💖From one creative perfectionist to another... thank you!

Gotta say, this channel has some of the most practical productivity tips in yt. The other productivity tip I follow is the 70% rule from waaaay back. It helped massively

Today I started my 3rd journal, after filling up 2, which is a big deal, as I have a whole shelf of previously abandoned journals I was thinking how it was Campbell that inspired this - his suggestion to not try to make it pretty & coherent, but just vomit the thoughts that way in my head on the pages My new journal is fancier then the previous ones, and I had to allow myself to be just as messy in it, as “the whole of me, both the together part & the messy part deserves to be housed in a fancy journal”. Two mins after I write that I saw your video. It felt serendipitous . Thank you for all your inspiration Campbell, your insight has been a game changer!

I really want to thank you for being so open about your struggles❤ As a perfectionist, I always struggle when I backslide with my anxiety (because obv my brain thinks that my healing journey MUST be perfect) but seeing you talking about your struggles, really made me feel more calm and peaceful Thanks mate😊

This came at the perfect time and was so honest. I too have been hitting a wall and my damn perfectionism gets in the way. It’s so suffocating and I never thought about how I too am red pilled by society’s bs to be go go go go and always be efficient. It’s not until we slow down our creative drive comes back.

Damnnnnn I needed to hear this. I’ve been overthinking project ideas all week 😭 Thanks for the video! And the funny thing about the idea of intentionally making something awful, it’s still ENTERTAINING. Because it’s such an exaggeration of what’s considered bad that it’s funny. It still evokes a reaction. Whereas when we try to be perfect, we end up being more safe and boring. And often the reaction is just ‘meh’.

I don't know how you do it, but you continue to make videos that are so closely aligned with exactly what I didn't know I needed to hear in my life again and again. Incredible video. Thank you for this.

So here's the thing. The "worst video part" was super enjoyable to me. The "worst song" too. I'm not sure if someone is with me in this, but I think the collection of all the worst things is a lot of fun, to be honest. For me at least, all the unexpected chaos make me stay engaged (my brain kinda goes "what's next?!"), but all those concepts I already know to the point it makes me have an intense feeling (hate) associated with, make me have an immediate connection to it. All the best just comes off boring. Like watching an idyllic landscape of a mountain vs a garbage dump in a storm. Both has it's own effect and I wouldn't say for sure that watching the mountain is more satisfying in my restless moments...

I don't agree with a lot of what you say but you're so genuine that I keep watching. This video hit me hard, though. You brushed over it pretty quick but being asked why I would still be happy if I couldn't ever achieve greatness in my art, and then realizing I don't have an answer to that... God. I needed to hear that. I still don't know the answer but damnit I'll find one.

I'm a perfectionist with an unhealthy dose of ocpd thrown in for funzies. I practice 'forced chaos' on myself in lots of little mundane places around my apartment. For example, all of my dishes are different colors (I use Fiesta wear so this one was easy), all of my towels have different patterns (I like to find odd ones at high-end discount stores), I have a bright multicolored braided rug in my living room (if it gets stained, it's so busy you could never tell), none of my furniture matches but kinda coordinates... the list goes on. I decided a long time ago that I would drive myself insane if I did what came naturally to me and obsess about having a completed set of matching items in perfect condition organized in a perfect arrangement. Because eventually, something breaks, becomes strained or damaged in some way and then the set is ruined and my world falls apart. Instead, the forced chaos puts me in a head space where if an item gets fucked up, no biggie! Just replace it with another equally random thing and move on with life. When I draw or journal, I always use ink because a pencil allows for mistakes to be erased which is kryptonite for a perfectionist. I wake up late everyday so I only have a tiny window of time to do my makeup, otherwise I'd hyperfocus on getting every eyelash in place and would be late to work. Embracing the flaws and becoming comfortable with imperfections has been a huge relief for my mental health and allows me to focus on things that actually matter. I hadn't thought to apply it to my writing, so thanks for the encouragement! And wow, that video was hilarious and awful, but I admire the dedication. 🤣💜

We appreciate your content. Keep up the good work. They’re all very insightful.

it's comforting to know there are other perfectionists out there having this experience, sometimes I feel like all my potential will be lost to perfection because everyone else is chill and normal and I can't compete with normal people who just get shit done

I’ve been missing your content, you are the only KZfaq artist I discovered during my covid years that I hungrily wait for your wisdom to upload even now post covid. You are *chefs kiss*

The Most Unwanted Song came up on my Spotify Discover Weekly playlist a few months ago. I had no idea what it was but I was enthralled (for the first five minutes). Thanks for some more context to a profoundly weird algorithmic experience !

I love this idea! A former “gifted child” here with undiagnosed adhd til age 18 who suffers from crippling perfectionism and also the INABILITY TO DO SHIT. Anyway, one of the places I felt safest at school was in art class with my absolute favourite teacher. She was super carefree which made me feel comfortable enough to try in art whereas before art had always been that class I knew I sucked at. She encouraged me just to make HUGE pieces no matter how weird they looked and to just try everything. And art became the thing I ended up pursuing for years.

Ironically the moment I tried to fuck up my artwork on purpose I started noticing how much more fun and easier it was to complete works. Baby steps but definitely will implement these tips 👏Tahnk Yuo !

I put off watching most of your videos for the last year or so because I was too scared to become inspired because I was too scared to even begin to think about getting back into a creative mindset and having to TRY. Thank you for being a continued sauce of inspiration, and for keeping things real with us. As always your video was informative, helpful, extremely entertaining and very heart warming to watch. You really know how to make a connection with your audience, and that’s the real reason I think so many people are drawn to watching you regardless of what you’re up to! Thanks for being bad ass 💖

Glad to be on earth at the same time as you, such fun & helpful content. THANK YOU

I got the wreck this journal as a gift over 3 years ago and I also never touched it… I’ve struggled with perfectionism for so long and consistently failed to meet those expectations. Since a few months ago Ive been trying to do better about it, poor wording, I know, but I can’t think of another way to say it, so I’ll definitely try this out, thanks for another amazing video!❤

You showing all of the "bad art" things got me thinking like "damn that looks fun to make" which in turn i had to think "but is making good art not fun?" I don't think that assumption is true, but the "fuck up method" is a good, and very clear reminder to sometimes shift the focus from good to fun. I'm bad at words so I hope that made sense, really enjoyed the video and "Perfection doesn't exist" will now hopefully stick in my brain as a mantra for a while :')

That BAD edit is so fucking solid OMG. It is somehow theraputic to share in all the bullshit we have to deal with in content.

luv thiz vidoe. I've noticed a massive change in my creativity when I stopped worrying about making the best thing and just started focusing on making A thing. I do a small art class on the weekend and I've noticed a big difference in output between those who just jump in and get going, and those who plan and plan and plan to make something good. I'll now churn out something - usually finish it in class - and it's usually not half bad and even sometimes good. Whereas others will only just get started, get half way, never finish - or for every 10 things I've finished, they've made 1 maybe good thing (and in the past I would have made 0 things). I've learned that the worst that can happen, is I finish something.... and it's shit. Maybe I wasted some paint. But I didn't - because inevitably, I will have learned and practiced the skills. And the more shit things I make, the less precious I am about making - and so I make more things.

Man life is a rollercoaster. Something I get wrong is the idea that "Once I resolve something, it'll change forever". But no, being an adult involves following a thought pattern, learning how to solve it, temporarily solving it, finding another thought pattern, learning how to solve that, and then repeating the prior thought pattern. Nobody prepared me for this, and it's been a tough realization. What matters now is that I'm kinder to myself when it does happen, and taking some comfort in knowing that the learning and resolution stages become less and less painful over time.

I guess I need to apply this more. I managed to apply it to my notion of gardening, but I called it experimenting, planting things at the wrong time, wrong season, letting things go to seed...all with zero expectations of getting carrots or lettuce. I let go of the outcome and reduced my expectations. So I ended up with stuff that worked fabulously at weird times, stuff that didn't. Overall, the fear of not getting things to grow was gone. I still can't grow a beetroot to save my life, but I can eat the greens

I'm starting to journal again for the first time in years, and I write in pen and am not afraid to mess up because it doesn't matter. on most pages I make a mistake and have to scribble it out, or figure out a way to bend the letters to make it spell the right thing. and if I get too intimidated looking at the blank page, I just start scribbling in the corner. I've already scribbled nonsense on it, so whatever I write can't be any worse than that. this also reminds me of something a tv & movie writer did, which was always starting each script with WORST VERSION written at the top, so he didn't get in his head about it being perfect. I've been a lifelong perfectionist and it has been a struggle unlearning the things I taught myself to survive and do well. I'm finally taking little steps to let myself be imperfect at 23, and I can already tell it'll only get easier the longer I embrace imperfection and fucking up. great video, thank you from one perfectionist to another 💙

Love this video! When I was younger, growing up with undiagnosed autism, I was always worried about interpreting things differently to others as it was something I was aware of. To circumvent that I would either isolate myself from certain topics, or try and become a perfect at things such as drawing and media creation. While I still try and be a perfectionist in my academic pursuits, I have recently been doing art in my spare time that is intentionally bad, and honestly it just feels more real and interesting, but more importantly it also just helps me do something I enjoy. The fuck up philosophy is genuinely so helpful and I am glad this video has come around so that I can articulate this small journey of mine.

Wow, I so am glad you talked about perfectionism and how it kills creativity. I am currently reading Failed It! by Erik Kessels, known for his creative agency work in the Netherlands. And he is actually talking in this book about how failure actually sparks creativity. Sometimes we already have a right idea. But not the right approach. Changing that approach can change a lot of how we perceive certain things. And it even can make things that are normally very mundane, interesting to us. A nice read if you like these kind of topics. It's not super big (162 pages and lot's of them also have pictures to illustrate what Erik means). But the message gets accross nicely. And if big names are talking about how screwing up makes life better, then it means you can find success even if you fuck up sometimes.

I have felt debilitated by my inability to get past my own perfectionism. Everything I do needs to be "productive" and I can't seem to just have fun. Then, I found myself laughing so hard by the end of this video. It made me realize that making something "bad" could bring joy to others. Thanks for making the "worst video ever"! I thought it was great and it brightened up my afternoon :)

That intentionally bad video was really something. You did a great job doing a terrible job!! 😂

You always post these at the right time haha, good video!

You are, without a doubt, my favorite person on the internet. My number one! I believe I am your biggest fan! You absolutely blow my mind. I have bought many copies of your book for gifting. Even gave one to my counselor, so she could give it to someone who needs an alternative way of dealing with their issues. You are smart, talented, funny, deep (I mistyped deep as derp, and then I corrected it, but now I’m putting it back in - imperfection, man)…and so much more. I adore you. Thank you for all that you bring to me and others like me.

The unintentionally bad part was seriously one of the funniest things I ever seen for a while Reminds me of a story from Antifragile where some guys wanted to do a very bad show called “Springtime for Hitler”, it was related to some trading scheme. Unfortunately for them, they tried to have a bad play and they were so bad at it so it became a huge hit. Meanwhile thinking of all the beginner videos out there trying to be as good as possible but become off putting in the process (tryhard). And yes, I’m speaking from experience Keep doing more of these Cam 💪

Here in the US the Navaho do something like this with their rugs. They call it ch'ihónít'i, (the spirit line) it’s a deliberate Imperfection that prevents the weaver’s spirit from being trapped and allows the weaver's spirit to safely exit the rug. Your art needs a spirt line to get out of that rut.

Hey man, just wanted to thank you for your content, it was a big part of my "wake up call" a few months ago when I turned my life upside down and started doing hiphop music and writing lyrics instead of office job, I feel so much better now! Keep it up, you change lives. Greetings from Poland

This is inspiring. Perfectionism is a curse - loved the canoe analogy. Hahaha “it doesn’t matter” - loved this even more. 🤙

This is so great. You are incredibly talented, thanks for letting your creative juices flow and not inhibiting yourself with perfectionism!

Taking this as a reminder to let go of atttachment to the outcome, and instead focus on enjoying the process. Take perfect off the table. Cant belive you've been struggling this year tho cos your documentaries have been great, keep following the fun/magic!

Weird coincidence that I convinced myself yesterday to write and compose a deliberately idiotic music track. It actually felt real good, being able to follow my ideas without worrying about what others (or even myself) would think about it! Never wanted this much to go back home to record it in a long time🤣 If I'm not doing it for the joy that the creative process itself brings, why would I do it? This really helps! Thank you for sharing this concept🌈

Last night I faced that perfectionism was my ultimate road block and why I'm not feeling creative or happy with what I'm doing right now. Perfikt timing with this video. Thanks Cam!

I've been feeling really stuck creatively and socially and academically for a few weeks now. Your videos feel like a kind little hug. I feel like you're a friend giving me optimistic but realistic advice. Thanks for your hard work Struthless

this channel is singlehandedly saving my life

During my lunch break, I was planning to list out all the tasks I'd need to accomplish to reach 'perfection' in the coming month. But then, your video popped up. It was quite the timely intervention. Haha!

I am constantly amazed by your ability to take a topic that could be snooze-worthy and make it into an engaging, relatable, and still informative video. This was fantastic! Also, my own Wreck This Journal, which I have had for YEARS, is only slightly wrecked. I should do something about that.

This is the absolutely BEST video ever! Thank you so much Cam! ❤

This is a really helpful video for me:) I’ve always thought of myself as uncreative and havent really made art since childhood bc i was so obsessed with making “good” or “perfect” art that i starting hating the process and especially the result. I did try again recently but i quit bc i hated how “bad” it was. But i LOVE art in all forms and i really want to learn how to draw. Now i know i have to embrace the “ugly” to have fun with art:))

the "wrecked" vid is FREAKING GENIUS AND EPIC! And inspiring, too. Thank you so much for this! ♥

That's soo bad I couldn't stop watching 😆 Another inspiring fun video

A little while ago I decided to paint 'MAKE BAD ART' on the back of a leather jacket (it came second hand, I'd never painted on leather before but I wanted to try something new). It was my absolute favourite thing to paint because if I screwed it up and it didn't look great, it underlined the message, and if it did look nice, I had a nice-looking jacket with a cool slogan.

Just keep posting my dude. I love every video and find useful thoughts from all of them!

From the mere few seconds I found the Opera funky mashup much more appealing than the second song. Stru, you are the most down to earth, chilled, independent thinker I know. Love your energy.

this is one of the most informative and entertaining videos i've seen on youtube. wow. i can't wait to try this!

WHY YES IT IS THANKS FOR ASKING 😂😅 just clicked on. Stoked to be here. Thank you Struthless. You sure have a way of poppin up with what I gotta hear. Cheers, dude

I love this so much, and I'm going to put it into practice! It reminds me of an exercise I used to do when I wrote newspaper headlines (I was an editor). If you're really stuck, write the most unpublishable headline you can think of - too long, too short, grammatically incorrect, rude, un-PC, too funny, too boring, etc. It worked because it helped identify what was REALLY important in the story.

I struggle massively with perftionism causing anxiousness and procrastination, and this video helped me rethink it. Honestly to think you can be perfect in everything you make is an unrealistic expectation and you just need to lower that bar. Allow yourself to be average.

Oh man. Just....oh man. Kudos for making an old lady have some hope. (when you lamented your 10 years lost, I realized I have lost about 50.) You are such an inspiration and the reason is your imperfections are lovely. Perfection is boring.

YES THE MOST UNWANTED SONG It has to be one of my favorite pieces of art

As a perfectionist, I love this. I'm absolutely watching this again. Btw, please keep making 'fuck 'up' videos. They're wildly entertaining.

Campbell, you're probably my favourite person on the internet. Keep doing what you're doing 🙏🏼 Such an inspiration.

I love this video, and PLEASE do a video about your wall back there. There's so many sticky notes, and I would love to know the system if you haven't already shared a video about it 😁 Okay, so my take away from this video is: I'm going to think of the WORST (but inconsequential) ways to market my upcoming book, write them down, and even possibly implement some of the ideas. Not everything I do has to succeed or be productive, and it's good to be reminded of that sometimes :) Thank you for the always engaging and thought provoking videos!

I also got the same journal when I was 20 and didn’t touch it for the same reason! Thank you for your advice. Really comforting.

Thx Cam! scared of failure and scared of success is the manifestation of my perfectionism. Either way I’m f*cked. I have started to embrace pawfectionism which is lying around with my dog on the lounge…….not working very well! So thx for this, luv ya work as always 🎉

I've enjoyed every minute if this video, and it's come at a very good time in my life. Thanks, Cam! And good luck fucking up new projects 🎉

Man I think your first video I saw was how to start a burger joint or something. Then without realizing you were even the same person watched every drawing styles video and now you are one of the few truly inspiring "self help" channels I watch. Big ups. You're a true renaissance man.

Been in a rut for months and months now. Lots of over the top perfectionist qualities. It's SUPER REFRESHING ( * insert airhorn* ) to come across your channel and videos. This did not disappoint. Thanks for your work, time, and for the reminder that sometimes, a f*ck up is the best way to break out of the bullish*t. 🤙

"if you have any disorders at all, mental, or real ones" lmao! Dude this cracked me up!

this really reminded me of why i started making music and art. i used to intentionally make bad stuff as a way to channel my feelings without judging what i made and it felt so freeing. i relate to what you say about developing that feeling like there's pressure to keep up and be perfect and yeah, fuck it let's just do things that remind us to not take it too seriously!! your fuck-up video experiment had me laughing until i had tears in my eyes!! i hope you continue going at your own pace and i hope family life has been going well, i'm sure you've been very busy at home! we will all be here ready for whenever you upload, no pressure! ❤

I have a few personal projects that I’ve been meaning to start for years now and I haven’t started any of them because I’m so intimidated by the idea of failing or creating stuff that are ‘ugly’. I will try to give the fuck up philosophy a go! Thank you for the amazing video (I love your example fuck up video too nice job love the sarcasm)

I’ve got so many ideas for videos. I keep telling myself no one cares. You shouldn’t make this video. But if no one cares, maybe I should just go ahead and make it to see what will happen creatively! Perfectionism is definitely a crippling condition. You killed this concept. Beautifully done, even the awful parts. 👌🏻

The terrible video was hilareeouuss!!! Thank you for this! It was much needed now I’m thinking of things I can fuck up before the sun blows up!

I really appreciate your imperfect Laugh, it always makes me happy hearing it.

That worst song was so funny and I couldn't stop laughing through your 'bad' video. You are so creative, funny and intelligent. Thanks for what you are doing for others ❤ and for sharing your personal story. This has really helped.

You sitting in a dark room at a polka dot table drawing goofy cartoons was more than enough, mate. Don't be so hard on yourself and don't try so hard, you're already really good 💙

You are a genius (almost), sorry to hear you've been going through the perfectionist rut, your content is always so on point and inspiring! recently with my wood working craft, I've been making sure to leave a few stray sanding marks and CA glue stains, slightly off center carvings. as a personal defiance of my own perfectionism. I have been more productive in the last few weeks, than in the last few years combined!