Creative Growth Isn't Linear: Why It's Okay to Fail

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your creative journey—like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back—you’re not alone. Growth isn’t a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often feels like a never-ending squiggle. But here’s the good news: that mess is where the magic happens.

We’re conditioned from a young age to think about progress as a steady, upward climb. Go to school, work hard, get the job, climb the ladder—it all sounds so straightforward. But creativity doesn’t work that way. Life doesn’t work that way. Instead, growth looks more like hiking through a dense, overgrown forest. There’s no clear path. Sometimes you’ll feel lost, going in circles. Other times you’ll stumble on something breathtaking, reminding you exactly why you started the journey in the first place.

Why the Creative Process Feels So Messy

Creativity is unpredictable by nature. One day, you’re riding a wave of inspiration, ideas pouring out effortlessly. The next, you’re staring at a blank page, questioning everything. It’s easy to feel frustrated or like you’re failing, but those stuck moments are just as important as the inspired ones.

In fact, research shows that struggle is an essential part of growth. The concept of productive failure, introduced by researcher Manu Kapur, highlights this. Kapur found that when people tackle challenges without clear instructions, their initial failures actually lead to deeper understanding and better performance later on. So, if you’re feeling stuck or frustrated, remember that your brain is working behind the scenes, connecting dots you can’t see yet.

Growth Isn’t Always Visible

One of the hardest parts of nonlinear growth is that it often feels invisible. It’s like planting seeds—you don’t see what’s happening underground, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Roots are spreading, laying the foundation for future growth.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. When I transitioned from working in the art world to graphic design, I thought I’d finally found my path. But then, creative blocks hit hard. Ideas stopped flowing, projects slowed down, and imposter syndrome crept in. For a long time, it felt like failure. Looking back now, I see that it was a season of growth. I was learning, processing, and building the foundation for the work I do today.

Finding Meaning in the Mess

Scott Barry Kaufman captures this perfectly in his book Wired to Create. He describes creative people as constantly seeking meaning through their work, juggling contradictory traits like playfulness and seriousness, solitude and collaboration. These messy contradictions are where creativity thrives.

It’s important to embrace the detours. Take J.K. Rowling, for example. She’s spoken about how hitting rock bottom forced her to focus on what truly mattered: her writing. That focus gave us Harry Potter. Detours aren’t distractions; they’re opportunities for discovery and growth.

The Importance of Rest

In a culture that glorifies hustle, rest is often overlooked. But neuroscientists have found that rest activates the brain’s default mode network, the part responsible for daydreaming and making connections between unrelated ideas. That’s why your best ideas often come in the shower or on a walk.

Elizabeth Gilbert puts it beautifully in Big Magic: “You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures along the way.” Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Redefining Success

Part of embracing nonlinear growth is redefining what success looks like. It’s not about reaching a specific milestone or ticking boxes on a checklist. Success is about staying connected to your creativity, even in the slow seasons. As Cheryl Strayed says in Tiny Beautiful Things, “The journey to self-discovery is not one you ever truly finish. It’s a continual, ever-evolving process.”

How to Navigate the Messy Middle

When you’re in those messy, foggy middle moments, here are a few things that can help:

• Revisit old work. Not to criticize it, but to see how far you’ve come. It’s like looking at old photos—cringy, maybe, but proof of growth.

• Redefine success. Focus on the process, not the end goal.

• Take breaks. Step away, rest, and let your mind wander.

Most importantly, trust that you’re exactly where you need to be, even if it doesn’t look like what you imagined.

Embrace the Scenic Route

Growth doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful. Every twist, turn, and pause is part of your story. So, take the scenic route. Trust the process. And remember: the messy middle is where the breakthroughs happen.

If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your story in the comments below or connect with me at ClearlyCreativePodcast.com, where you can join the Clearly Creative Club and access tools to deepen your creativity. Let’s keep growing, one twist and turn at a time.

— Phoebe Seward, Host of Clearly Creative