Part of my creative process is time not creating.
When I’m in the middle of working on a project – recording, arranging, composing, writing – I quickly become aware of every flaw in the work. A bad note, an inelegant countermelody, a poorly phrased sentence.
Of course! That’s all we focus on when we want to make our creative works better.
But to assess it properly, we need the ability to see it holistically, not just focusing on the flaws. So that we can get a sense of where it stands, so that we can hear with fresh ears and see with fresh eyes, so that we can know where to go next.
But in the middle of focusing on the flaws , that’s impossible. So I turn my attention elsewhere. Luckily, there’s never a shortage of work!
On a recording project, I love a month between a first and second mix session. For writing, just a weekend can be enough to read it objectively. For arrangements and compositions, somewhere in between.
Sometimes we aren’t afforded that time, but in those moments it’s nice to have practiced the objectivity that comes after a pause. And if the time is available, take it. Your creative works will be better for it.