I think perfectionism is just fear in fancy shoes and a mink coat, pretending to be elegant when actually it’s just terrified. Because underneath that shiny veneer, perfectionism is nothing more than a deep existential angst that says, again and again, “I am not good enough and I will never be good enough.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
In both psychology and content creation, attachment plays a critical role.
Whether you’re writing a blog post, building a brand, or crafting your next social media campaign, your attachment to your content can have a profound impact on its success.
But to grow as creators, we must learn how to balance attachment with the art of letting go.
This article will dive into how psychological theories, such as attachment theory and Piaget's stages of cognitive development, can inform our approach to content creation and help us develop a more fluid, adaptable process.
Attachment Theory: What Is It?
Attachment theory, initially proposed by British psychologist John Bowlby, suggests that our earliest relationships with caregivers shape how we bond with others throughout our lives.
These bonds fall into categories such as
secure,
anxious,
avoidant, or
disorganized.
Depending on these patterns, individuals either feel safe exploring the world or become fearful of losing connections.
Applying Attachment Theory to Content Creation
As creators, we can develop similar types of attachment to our work.
When we pour hours into crafting content, we naturally form a bond with it, often hoping that it will perform well, attract an audience, and receive positive feedback.
Here’s how the various attachment styles can manifest in content creation:
Secure Attachment: Content creators with a secure attachment are confident in their skills and know that not every piece of content will be perfect or go viral. They remain grounded, trusting the process and allowing themselves to grow with each iteration.
Anxious Attachment: Anxious creators may become overly invested in how their content is received. They constantly refresh analytics and fear rejection. Negative feedback can feel personal, and they might hesitate to publish anything that isn’t flawless.
Avoidant Attachment: Creators with an avoidant attachment style may become detached from their work. They fear rejection and may prefer to keep their work private rather than risk failure or criticism.
Disorganized Attachment: This pattern is marked by confusion and inconsistency. Creators may have a mix of anxious and avoidant behaviors, finding themselves stuck in an endless cycle of perfectionism and procrastination.
The Solution: Embrace the Art of Letting Go
One of the most important lessons for creators is learning to detach from the outcome.
In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown emphasizes that letting go involves releasing the need for perfection, self-doubt, and societal expectations, allowing us to embrace vulnerability and live authentically.
For content creators, letting go of the need to be perfect helps them produce more genuine, relatable work, freeing them to be creative and connect with their audience without getting caught up in what others think.
Let Go of Perfectionism: Content doesn’t have to be perfect to be impactful. Start publishing more often, focusing on the practice of creation rather than perfection.
Detach from Validation: Analytics, likes, and shares are not a reflection of your worth or creative abilities. Create for the joy of the process, not for the numbers.
Move On Quickly: Once content is published, move on to the next project. Lingering too long over one piece of content can slow your creative momentum.
By cultivating a mindset of secure attachment in content creation, you can free yourself from the anxiety and self-doubt that comes with seeking approval or fearing rejection.
Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development in Content Creation
Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist known for his work on child development, outlined four stages of cognitive growth:
While his theory is focused on child development, we can draw parallels between Piaget's stages and the evolution of content creation.
1. Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 Years): Experimenting and Exploring
In Piaget's sensorimotor stage, children learn through hands-on interaction with the world.
Similarly, the early phase of content creation is all about experimenting with different formats, platforms, and styles.
When you first start creating content, you’re in an exploratory phase. You might experiment with different mediums like blogging, podcasting, or videos. There’s no right or wrong; it’s about understanding how to express your ideas and finding what resonates with your audience.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. This phase is all about trial and error, learning what works, and building foundational skills.
2. Preoperational Stage (Ages 2 to 7): Developing a Unique Voice
During the preoperational stage, children begin to develop language, symbols, and imagination.
In content creation, this stage is about forming your unique voice and starting to articulate your ideas with more clarity and confidence.
You’re no longer just experimenting—you’re beginning to understand your audience, and your content starts to take on a more cohesive identity. You develop your style and tone and start to focus on communicating more effectively.
Hone your messaging. Work on storytelling, visual consistency, and thematic alignment. This stage is about finding your niche and strengthening your brand’s voice.
3. Concrete Operational Stage (Ages 7 to 11): Creating Structure and Systems
The concrete operational stage is marked by logical thinking and understanding concrete relationships.
In content creation, this stage is about moving from spontaneous content creation to developing structured systems and strategies.
At this stage, you’ve likely found a content format that works well for you. Now it’s time to implement workflows, editorial calendars, and a consistent publishing schedule. You begin to approach content creation with a more analytical mindset, tracking performance and optimizing based on data.
Focus on organization and consistency. This is the stage where planning becomes key. Structure your content with clear goals and frameworks that support growth.
4. Formal Operational Stage (Ages 11 and Up): Mastery and Adaptability
In Piaget's final stage, individuals develop abstract thinking and problem-solving skills.
For content creators, this stage represents mastery of the craft and the ability to adapt to changing trends, technologies, and audience needs.
You’re now a seasoned creator, capable of handling complex content strategies and larger projects. At this stage, you understand how to pivot when necessary, continuously refine your strategy, and even mentor others.
Embrace innovation and be willing to take creative risks. Whether it’s leveraging new platforms, experimenting with AI tools, or adapting to changing algorithms, this stage is about staying ahead of the curve.
Balancing Attachment and Growth in Content Creation
Understanding psychological theories like attachment and Piaget’s stages of development can offer fresh perspectives on your creative process.
Attachment theory reminds us to embrace the art of letting go, allowing us to publish and move forward without becoming overly attached to outcomes.
Meanwhile, Piaget’s developmental stages provide a roadmap for content creators as they grow, guiding us from experimentation to mastery.
As you continue on your content creation journey, remember that growth doesn’t come from holding onto every piece of content or seeking constant validation.
It comes from consistently creating, learning, and adapting.
Let go of perfectionism and embrace the process, knowing that each stage builds on the last, moving you closer to creative mastery.
So, what are the next steps of your content creation journey?
My next steps are to reread this article and abide by the information within.
It’s a matter of working out a theory which embodies the art of letting go, especially in the context of content creation.
Enjoyable read. Great lessons!
Thank you! 🙏