Episode 121: The Hiccups Along the Way: Delays, Doubt & Holding On to the Dream
Today we’re diving into something so real and rarely talked about, the frustrating, messy, often emotional terrain of creative delays… and the shame that creeps in when things take way longer than we imagined.
The Reality of Creative Timelines
Creative work isn’t a straight line. It’s more like a winding, unpredictable path full of detours, speed bumps, and unexpected pit stops. One day you’re overflowing with ideas, and the next you're staring at a blank page wondering where that spark went.
Take my own journey with Tillage Magazine—what I thought would be a quick turnaround became a long, evolving process that stretched over months… and then some. I felt a lot of shame because of it. Let’s be honest, social media doesn’t help either. It shows polished end products with no sign of the behind-the-scenes delays, burnout, or the dozens of times a project almost got scrapped. But here's the truth: good things take time.
Battling the Shame Monster
When progress slows, shame shows up with it’s nasty whispers:
"You’re falling behind."
"You should’ve finished this by now."
"Everyone else is going faster."
Sound familiar?
These thoughts are not the truth. They’re fear in disguise. Just because a project is delayed doesn’t mean it’s dead or that you’ve failed. If the vision is still alive inside of you, then it's still worth nurturing.
Even the greats faced delays and doubts. Walt Disney’s dream of Disneyland was rejected over and over before it finally became a reality. The path to something meaningful is rarely easy—but it’s always worth it.
Practical Steps to Keep Moving
So how do we move forward when we feel stuck? Start by setting flexible, grace-filled timelines that honor the reality of your life. Things come up health, work, emotions, unexpected shifts and your creative process needs room to breathe. Be honest with yourself about where you are, without judgment. Maybe you're burnt out, overwhelmed, or just need a break. That’s not failure; that’s being human. Redefine what success looks like. It’s not about how quickly you finish but about showing up, even if it’s just a little at a time. And don’t forget to celebrate the small wins. Every step forward, no matter how tiny, is proof that you’re still in the game and still choosing to believe in your dream.
Your pace doesn’t disqualify you. Your delays don’t define you. Your dream is still valid. Keep tending to it. Keep believing in it. And above all, be kind to yourself along the way.
You're not behind—you're becoming.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Delays don’t mean failure—they're part of the process and should be normalized.
Shame Loves a Rushed Timeline. When things take longer than expected, we often internalize guilt or embarrassment—especially if others know about the project. But shame isn’t a sign you’ve done something wrong, but it’s simply a sign you need to show yourself more compassion.
Stop-Go Progress Is Still Progress. Just because your journey has pauses doesn’t mean you’re not moving forward. Your pace doesn’t determine your worth or the value of your work.
If the Dream Is Still Alive, It’s Not Over. Projects may stall, but if your desire to bring it to life is still there, it’s worth returning to. The timeline may change, but the vision you have will bring you to the finish line.
Compassion Creates Momentum. Being kind to yourself during the delays allows you to return to your work with.
