Recently, I uploaded a new album to DistroKid. Like many independent musicians, I was excited to share my latest creation with the world. After waiting for approval, I noticed something that made my heart sink—a spelling mistake in the song’s title. My first instinct was to cancel the release and resubmit everything. I found my mouse hovering over the “cancel” button, debating if I should fix the error and start over.
But then I paused.
Over the years, I’ve realized how easy it is to fall into a cycle of endless corrections, especially with creative projects. Each tweak feels crucial, every small mistake seems magnified. The digital era makes it incredibly easy to delete, revise, and re-upload until everything is “perfect.” But is this really healthy?
I decided not to cancel or resubmit the song.
Here’s why:
1. Perfectionism Can Be a Trap
Chasing perfection easily leads to burnout. If I started re-uploading every time I spotted a minor error, I’d never move forward. The quest for flawlessness often comes at the cost of momentum and joy in the creative process.
2. Most Listeners Don’t Notice Details
For most fans, it’s the music that matters—not the spelling. While I want my work to look professional, I know that tiny slip-ups rarely impact the bigger picture.
3. Progress Beats Perfection
I’d rather release more music and learn from each experience than obsess over every detail. Finishing projects and sharing them with the world is how I grow as an artist.
4. You Can Always Improve Later
If the error ever really bothers me, I can fix it in a future version or update the metadata. There’s often a way to improve or tweak things down the line.
A Final Thought
It’s natural to want every release to be perfect, but creative journeys are built on lessons, mistakes, and moving forward. This time, I chose to embrace imperfection. Instead of letting self-doubt slow me down, I focused on sharing my music and letting it speak for itself.
If you’re an artist—music or otherwise—and you’re stuck on mistakes, ask yourself: What matters more, perfection or progress? Sometimes, letting go is the most creative thing you can do.
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