Your Unfinished Creative Projects Aren't Failures (Here's What They Actually Mean)
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Have you ever enrolled in a course you didn't finish?
Started a creative project only to abandon it midway through?
If you're nodding along, you're in good company. As creatives, we've all been there, and honestly, it would be odd if we hadn't. But there's something important that we need to remember: unfinished does not mean wasted.
Let me explain….
A Little Discovery in My Art Studio
Recently, while tidying up my art studio (yes, it's always a good thing when you actually get around to it!), I stumbled across a forgotten project. I literally had no recollection of creating it, which tells you just how long ago it must have been. Finding it gave me a tender moment for my younger self who had started this little watercolour sketchbook project and then given up on it.
The project was a collection of square pages cut from beautiful Fabriano Artistico paper—my old favourite that's harder for me to come by these days. I had clearly planned to create a little watercolour sketchbook for floral doodles and sketches, complete with some lettering work. There were even a few painted pages and a cover, but at some point, I must not have been happy with the results and simply stopped.
But looking at it now, I felt inspired. The square format was lovely, the paper was gorgeous, and suddenly I wanted to pick up where my past self had left off.
Flowers remain one of my absolute favorite subjects to paint, especially in watercolor. There's something magical about how the pigments flow and blend to create those delicate petals and organic shapes.
If you also love the idea of painting flowers in watercolour, you'll adore my 🌹Roses in Watercolour class, available for just $7. 🌹 It's the perfect way to dive into floral painting with confidence and joy.
Common Types of Unfinished Creative Projects
Before we dive deeper, let's acknowledge just how universal this experience is. Your unfinished project pile might include:
Art projects: Half-finished paintings, abandoned sketchbooks, unused canvases stacked in corners
Writing endeavours: Started novels, blog drafts, journals with only a few entries
Craft supplies: Yarn for sweaters never knitted, fabric for quilts never sewn, beads for jewelry never made
Digital courses: Online classes bookmarked but never completed, tutorials watched but not practiced
Musical pursuits: Instruments gathering dust, songs half-written, sheet music never mastered
Photography projects: Themes started but not finished, editing backlogs, photo books never created
Sound familiar? You're not alone. Every creative person I know has their own version of this list.
The Natural Way of Creative Abundance
If you're even slightly creatively inclined (and you are, or you wouldn't be reading this), then you're likely bursting with ideas. I think of these ideas like seeds in nature—some are exciting and plump like berries, full of possibility and promise. Every book we add to our reading list, every online course we begin, every project we start carries that same juicy potential.
But just like in nature, not every seed will grow into its largest form. We live in an abundance of ideas, books, courses, and projects - more than we could ever have the resources to complete. And that's perfectly okay.
This isn't just modern excess; it's the natural way of things. Nature shows us this pattern everywhere. A tree drops countless seeds, but only some will find the right conditions to flourish. We need them all because we don't know at the outset which ones will take root and grow.
The Value of Beginnings
There's immense value in beginnings themselves. That burst of enthusiasm, the creative zeal that sparks us into action, the pure joy of possibility - these are enough. They have worth in and of themselves, regardless of whether they lead to completion.
Your unfinished projects aren't wasted. They're part of your creative process, and they all serve a purpose:
Some are stepping stones that lead you to your next breakthrough
Some are practice sessions that build your skills invisibly
Some are exploration that help you discover what you don't want to pursue
Some teach you through elimination what truly resonates with you
How to Reframe Your Relationship with Unfinished Work
The key to finding peace with your unfinished projects lies in shifting your perspective. Instead of viewing them through the lens of failure or disappointment, try these reframes:
From "I never finish anything" to "I delight in creative exploration." Each project you start adds to your creative vocabulary, even if it doesn't reach completion.
From "I wasted time and money" to "I invested in learning." Every abandoned project taught you something—about techniques, preferences, or simply what doesn't work for you.
From "I should feel guilty" to "This is how creativity works." Remind yourself that professional artists, writers, and creators all have shelves of unfinished work. It's part of the process, not a personal failing.
When you encounter an old project, ask yourself: "What did this teach me?" or "How did this serve me at the time?" You might be surprised by the answers.
Signs an Unfinished Project Served Its Purpose
Not sure if that abandoned project was "worth it"? Here are signs it absolutely served its purpose:
You learned a new technique or skill. Even if you only got halfway through that pottery class, you now know how clay feels in your hands and whether ceramics calls to you.
It led you in a different creative direction. That abandoned novel might have taught you that you prefer short stories, or that you're actually more drawn to poetry.
You had fun in the moment. If you enjoyed the process while you were doing it, that joy has value regardless of the outcome.
It satisfied a curiosity. Sometimes we start projects simply to answer the question "What would this be like?" Mission accomplished.
You can see growth from then to now. Looking back at old work and seeing how far you've come is incredibly valuable for your creative confidence.
It got you through a difficult time. Projects often serve as companions during challenging periods, offering focus and solace when we need it most.
Embracing the Process
When I found my old watercolour project, I decided to continue with it - not because I felt obligated to finish it, but because it sparked joy. I grabbed an empty space on one of the sheets and painted the first flower that came to mind: a cone flower. I'm doing my best not to overthink it.
But I want to be clear: there were many other valid choices I could have made. I could have:
Recycled the paper and moved on
Cut it up for collage or bookmarks
Turned it into greeting cards
Used it as scrap paper for colour testing
All of these would have been perfectly fine choices. Our creative time is our play time, which means we get to do what we like, however we choose to do it.
When It IS Worth Finishing Something
While I firmly believe that not everything needs to be finished, sometimes revisiting an old project can be incredibly rewarding. Here's when it might be worth picking up where you left off:
You still feel excited about it. If looking at the project sparks genuine enthusiasm (not guilt or obligation), that's a green light.
Your skills have improved since you started. Sometimes we abandon projects because our vision exceeded our abilities at the time. Returning with new skills can be magical.
You have a clear next step. If you can see exactly what you'd do next, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the scope, it might be time to continue.
It aligns with your current interests. Your creative focus naturally shifts over time. If an old project fits with where you are now, it might be worth revisiting.
You have the resources now. Maybe you didn't have the right materials, space, or time before. If those barriers have been removed, why not give it another go?
It could serve a current purpose. Perhaps that half-finished photo album would make a perfect gift now, or that started blog could launch your new business.
Remember, there's no rush. Old projects will wait patiently for you, and they're just as valuable sitting quietly as they would be completed.
No Guilt, No Rules
As I continue with this rediscovered project, I may not finish it. I may not like everything I create with it. I might completely change direction and do something entirely different with the materials. And that's all perfectly fine.
Please, feel no guilt about your own unfinished art projects. They're not failures—they're part of your creative journey. Each abandoned sketch, each half-finished course, each project that fizzled out has contributed to who you are as a creative person today.
Remember: there are no art rules that say you must finish everything you start. I have a whole other blog post all about that - find out how to free yourself from made-up art rules here.)
The joy is in the doing, the exploring, the playing. Let yourself revel in the abundance of all your beginnings, and let go of any that no longer serve you with gratitude for what they taught you along the way.
Your creative path is uniquely yours, unfinished projects and all.
What unfinished projects are sitting in your creative space? Maybe it's time to look at them with fresh eyes—not as failures, but as seeds that served their purpose, whether or not they grew into what you originally imagined.
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