Have you ever felt like you start things but rarely finish them? That lingering fear of failure or comparison can leave so many brilliant ideas half-done. Today, I want to reflect on why finishing what we start matter. This applies whether it’s a simple morning activity or rediscovering a passion that’s been with us since childhood.
Lessons from My Kids’ Morning Routine
Lately, I’ve been trying to get my kids to do some extra learning activities before school. Not homework, exactly—more like creative tasks they enjoy, like drawing or handwriting practice. These small moments remind me of how important it is to keep the brain engaged, even outside formal education.
One morning, my daughter was practising her handwriting because she didn’t want to lose her “pen-licence.” She started getting frustrated, understandably bored from repeating the same thing. But there was a powerful lesson there—she’s earned something and needs to keep practising to maintain it. That’s true for so much in life, isn’t it?
The Power of Finishing What You Start
That morning got me thinking about my own habits. I realised how often I fear finishing something because I worry it won’t be perfect. Sometimes, I’m already doubting an idea before it’s even launched.
But here’s the thing: most of the time, the things I do, end up working out better than I expected.
Even when they don’t work out, I learn. That’s the message I’ve been trying to teach myself lately: be brave enough to start something, and be even braver to finish it.
Perfectionism: The Silent Dream Killer
Perfectionism has been my Achilles’ heel – no pun intended. (And yes, my Achilles is healing nicely, thank you!). Anyhoos, before my thoughts rudely interrupted… I get stuck thinking someone else has already done it better, and wonder what’s the point? That mindset crushes creativity before it has a chance to grow.
What I’m learning to embrace is this: It’s okay to just try. Things don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. You can start something imperfect and still gain so much from the process.
This Blog Is My Practice Ground
I started this blog not to be perfect, but to show up—consistently. To share my feelings and thoughts. Because I struggle with my mental health well being a lot lately. Some weeks I miss posting. But I always return and that’s the commitment I’ve made to myself. And it’s grown into more than just blog writing. I’m returning to stories—fiction, memories, and the voice that’s been with me since childhood.
In fact, I recently revisited my old blog posts from 2015 and pages from old notebooks. I’m better than I give myself credit for. I’m a storyteller. I always have been. Check out my Short Stories Page, and let me know what you think. It actually all started HERE!
Storytelling: A Gift I Forgot I Had
A recent VO (voice-over) acting job reminded me of this. The director said I had a brilliant way of telling stories. This weirdly surprised me because I often worry I mumble or lose track mid-sentence when I am talking about something.
But the truth is—I’ve been telling stories since boarding school days. We used to lie in our dormitories after lights out, taking turns to tell each other stories. While others shared films they’d seen, I made stories up on the spot. Different characters, voices, drama—it was all instinct. And everyone would sit up, listen, even act them out with me. I guess my acting bug grew from there. But deep down, I have always been a write (a story-teller!).
That feeling—that energy—it’s still there. And reading back on my short stories made me realise that I miss it.
So What Now?
I’m going to write more stories. I’m going to let this blog be both my practice space and my place of play. A place where I share my creative practice and how this affects my life. Whether it’s a post about a tough week or a piece of fiction that’s been sitting in my head—I’m choosing to finish what I start.
And I hope this inspires you too:
- Start that thing.
- Finish that thing.
- Let go of perfection.
- And give yourself more credit.