The Art of Incompletion
Original Artwork - Hilde Franzsen (Sidebar Design)
Sometimes, the most profound lessons come from what we don’t finish.
Earlier this year, I began this illustration with enthusiasm (as I tend to do with most things), but after three hours, I stopped. I just couldn’t be bothered in that moment and then forgot about it for 7 months.
In the creative world, there’s always a strong push towards completion. We celebrate finished projects, crossed-off to-do lists, and tangible results.
But what if the true art isn’t just about finishing everything we start, but about knowing when to stop?
This unfinished piece has become a reminder that not all things need to be completed to serve their purpose. Sometimes, the value lies in the process, the lessons learned, and the emotions experienced along the way.
It's about finding closure in the experience rather than in the final product.
As creative professionals we’re often too hard on ourselves for not finishing what we start.
But maybe we should give ourselves permission to let go of the need to finish and instead focus on what we've gained from the journey.
After all, resilience isn’t just about pushing through; it’s about knowing when to embrace what is, rather than forcing it to be something it’s not.
