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The Creative Act: A Way of Being-Embrace Movement & Then Let Go

  • Writer: Kelsey Thomas
    Kelsey Thomas
  • May 28
  • 2 min read

Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being


Beige book cover with a black circle and dot. Text reads "The Creative Act: A Way of Being" and "Rick Rubin" on a minimalist design.
A Therapist's thoughts on The Creative Act.

is a gentle nudge away from overthinking and toward simply doing. Rather than obsess over how your art—whether it’s a poem, a painting, or a new recipe—will be received, Rick encourages us to create, complete the work, and then move on to the next project. This mindset invites us to live in the flow of constant creation rather than get stuck rehashing old outcomes. By letting go of perfectionism and focusing on continuous movement, each new work becomes an exploration rather than a test of our worth.

One of my favorite points Rubin makes is that our best creative energy is found not in polishing past endeavors but in actively engaging with new ideas. There’s a unique relief—and excitement—in finishing something wholeheartedly, then releasing it without fuss. Sure, we learn from every project, but staying stuck in critique mode traps us in self-doubt. Letting go propels us toward fresh possibilities and a more playful relationship with the creative process.

A Brief Exercise: Start, Finish, Release

  1. Pick a Micro-ProjectChoose something you can complete in 10–15 minutes—a quick sketch, a short poem, a melody, or even a tiny piece of writing.

  2. Set a TimerGive yourself a strict time limit (10 minutes works great). Begin your project without pausing to overthink.

  3. Finish, No Matter WhatWhen the timer is up, declare the piece complete. Let go of any urge to tweak or refine.

  4. Reflect & Move OnTake one minute to notice how it feels to have a “finished” creation. Then close the notebook, put down the pen, or step away from the canvas. Allow your focus to shift to whatever next idea sparks your interest.

Benediction

May your creative sparks flow freely, unbound by the weight of endless revision. May you find the courage to finish what you start and trust in the constant forward motion of new beginnings. And may each completed project open a door to more vibrant, alive moments of creation.

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