Trust the Process: Taking Your Time

The rush to finish something—anything—can be intoxicating. There’s a certain thrill in standing back and declaring a painting (or project) done. That feeling of accomplishment is real. But sometimes, it’s also a trick.

I recently found myself in my studio, juggling four new paintings, riding the momentum of a creative high. By the end of the day, I stood back proudly and mentally checked the box on two of them: finished. Nailed it.

But the next morning? Total 180. I walked into the studio, took one look at my so-called “finished” pieces, and audibly gasped. What was I thinking? They weren’t layered. They weren’t bold. They weren’t me.

Annoyed, I scraped them back down to a starting point, grumbling to myself the whole time. And that’s when it hit me: Why was I in such a hurry?

Creating something you’re truly proud of—a piece that says yes, this is the one—takes time. It can’t be rushed, and it certainly can’t be forced. The painting reveals itself when you’re ready to see it. Sometimes that happens in a day. Sometimes it takes a year. And both are okay.

The real joy is in the process—those in-between moments where the layers build, shift, and transform into something that feels right. That’s when the magic happens.

So here’s the reminder I needed (and maybe you do too): slow down. Honor your process. The masterpiece will come—not on your deadline, but on its own timeline. And when that moment finally arrives—when everything clicks and the piece breathes on its own—you’ll feel it in your bones. And it will be so worth the wait.