For most of my life, I approached my future the way a lot of people in my generation were taught to.

Work hard.

Pick something practical.

Build the resume.

Get the degree.

Do the internships.

Network.

Optimize ourselves.

I painted a long-time family friend’s poolside bathroom. Just a blank wall and a casual, “you should totally paint something in here. Maybe ocean themed.”

So I did.

There’s a quiet epidemic in creative culture.

It’s not laziness.

It’s not lack of talent.

It’s perfectionism.