If you’re anything like me, your home is probably littered with unfinished projects. You know the ones I’m talking about—the novel with three chapters, the knitting kit that’s still missing a scarf, the half-built bookshelf that’s currently just a pile of wood in the corner. And while society might try to tell us that this is “a problem,” I’m here to tell you something different:
Unfinished projects are secretly genius.
Yeah, I said it. Wondering how? Let’s dive in.
So, Failure or a Strange Lifeline?
The thing is, having these unfinished tasks around isn’t about neglect or lack of discipline. Sometimes, they’re actually lifelines. In my case, I often keep them around as they give me something to do when my brain refuses to settle. When the focus just isn’t there, I can jump from one thing to the next and find solace in the chaos.
They give me something to turn to when I’m feeling bored, or when anxiety and overthinking start creeping in. In those moments, it’s often that uncompleted poem or unfinished DIY stand that swoops in and saves the day. And so, Instead of spiralling into overthinking, I simply pick up where I left off on a task I’ve already started, and that helps to calm the mental noise.
No Business Like Unfinished Business
But it’s not just about keeping me busy. Sometimes, these unfinished projects do something else—they spark focus on something new. And I know that sounds weird, but bear with me.
Take this one example. The first day I sat down to start composing my debut album (trust me, I never thought I’d ever say that), I was as confused as I’d ever been. I had all these ideas swirling in my head, along with a ton of tools and starting points, but I couldn’t focus on a single thing. So, what did I do? I opened up Reedsy and resumed writing chapter six of my novel, as if I wasn’t in the middle of trying to figure out the first track for my album.
As the minutes bled into an hour, something unexpected happened—my mind calmed down. And when I finally paused my writing to return to the album project, it was like a switch had flipped. All those chaotic ideas in my head started lining up, and I just knew the first track on Requiem had to be “A Perfect Spring Morning“.
In a strange way, switching to a project I’d already fleshed out and worked on for years tricked my brain into entering focus mode. And when I returned to the new project, that focus carried over. Suddenly, I could see patterns, flows, and structure where before there had been only confusion.
The Power of Project Switching
What I’ve come to realize is that unfinished projects, far from being a sign of failure, are actually tools. They’re like mental pit stops. When I switch to something I’ve been working on for a while, it creates a sense of familiarity and control. It’s like my brain can say, “Ah, we’ve done this before,” and that gives me the clarity I need to tackle the new, more challenging task at hand.
So, if you’re like me and find yourself surrounded by half-finished projects, don’t stress about it. You’re not abandoning anything—you’re just giving your brain the tools it needs to stay engaged, creative, and ready for the next big idea.
PS: If you’re interested in hearing A Perfect Spring Morning, here’s a link to my album, Requiem.
Leave a Reply