The Power of Creating Junk: How to Find the Gems in Your Creative Process

In a world that often glorifies perfection and polished results, we're here to celebrate something a little different today: the art of creating junk. Yes, you read that right.

We're talking about embracing the messy, the experimental, and even the downright bad in your creative process. Why? Because hidden within that pile of "junk" are often the most brilliant gems of creativity.

The Fear of Imperfection

As creatives, we often fall into the trap of striving for perfection from the get-go. We want our first draft to be flawless, our initial sketch to be frame-worthy, and our prototype to be market-ready.

But this pursuit of immediate perfection can be paralysing. It can stop us from starting, from experimenting, from taking risks.

In short, it can kill creativity before it even has a chance to flourish.

Embrace the Mess

Instead of fearing imperfection, what if we simply gave ourselves permission to create "junk"—to produce work that's rough, unfinished, or even objectively bad? This approach, counterintuitive as it may seem, can be incredibly liberating and productive. Here's why:

1. Quantity Breeds Quality: The more you create, the higher the chances of stumbling upon something truly great. It's a numbers game, and by allowing yourself to produce a high volume of work—including the less-than-stellar pieces—you increase your odds of finding those hidden gems.
2. Freedom from Judgement: When you give yourself permission to create junk, you free yourself from the constant self-judgement that can stifle creativity. This freedom allows your ideas to flow more freely and your imagination to run wild.
3. Unexpected Discoveries: Often, it's in the process of creating something "bad" that we stumble upon unexpected techniques, combinations, or ideas that turn out to be brilliant.
4. Skill Development: Even when creating junk, you're still practising your craft. Every sketch, every draft, and every prototype is an opportunity to refine your skills and learn something new.

Finding the Gems

So, how do you sift through the junk to find those precious creative gems? Here are some strategies:

1. Create in Bulk: Set aside time for rapid creation sessions. Whether you're a writer, designer, or artist, challenge yourself to produce a high volume of work in a short time. Don't judge, just create.
2. Step Away: After a creation session, step away from your work. Give yourself some distance—a few hours, a day, or even a week. This break allows you to return to your creations with fresh eyes.
3. Review with Curiosity: When you come back to your work, approach it with curiosity rather than judgement. Look for elements that surprise you, ideas that still resonate, or techniques that show promise.
4. Mix and Match: Take elements from different pieces and combine them in new ways. That colour palette from one "failed" design might be perfect for another concept you're working on.
5. Refine and Iterate: Once you've identified promising elements or ideas, start refining them. This is where you can bring in your critical eye and start polishing your raw materials into finished pieces.

Embracing Imperfection in the Digital Age

In our age of curated social media feeds and polished portfolios, it can be even more daunting to embrace imperfection. But remember, what we see online is often just the tip of the iceberg. Behind every viral design or bestselling book are countless discarded ideas and rough drafts.

Consider starting a "junk journal" or a private folder where you keep your experiments and less-than-perfect creations. This can be a valuable resource to revisit for inspiration and a reminder of your creative journey.

Conclusion: The Joy of Creative Freedom

By embracing the power of creating junk, we give ourselves the freedom to explore, experiment, and ultimately innovate. Remember, every masterpiece starts as a rough idea, every successful design begins as a sketch, and every great story first exists as a messy first draft.

So, let's celebrate the junk. Let's revel in the mess. Let's create without fear of imperfection. It's in this free, uninhibited state of creation that we're most likely to stumble upon those rare and beautiful gems that make our work truly shine.

Now go forth and create some beautiful junk!

Thanks for reading!  
—Gary