The Creative Present: The Three Places You’ll Get Lost

Only 3 places you are going to get lost in your creative work.  

Let’s talk about it.

As a creative, you will be stuck somewhere in your process during a project. No matter how seasoned, brilliant, or caffeine-fueled. And here’s the kicker: there are only three places where you’ll get lost.

Yep, three. Not twenty-seven, not infinity. Just three. (Phew, right?)

Whether you’re crafting the next great American novel, a quirky short film, or a killer screenplay, your derailment is almost guaranteed to happen in one of these spots. But the good news? Knowing (having awareness) where the pitfalls are is half the battle. So, let’s dive in, break it down, and have a smile or two along the way.

Getting Lost in the Beginning

Oh, the sweet, torturous seduction of starting.

You’ve got notebooks bursting with ideas. Files on your computer titled “Amazing Story Idea” (Versions 1 through 17). Pinterest boards dedicated to inspiration. You’re so close to starting, right? Except… you haven’t.

Starting isn’t just jotting down ideas or messing with your clay—it’s committing. It’s sitting down, staring at that terrifyingly blank page, and typing “Page One” or “FADE IN.”

Here’s the thing: starting isn’t about being ready. It’s about showing up. Even if you’re scared. Even if you’re convinced, you don’t have it all figured out. The perfect time to start doesn’t exist—it’s a myth, like unicorns or low-calorie pizza that tastes good. So start messy. Start imperfectly. But just start.

Getting Lost in the Middle

Ah, the middle: the Bermuda Triangle of creativity.

You’re not at the shiny start anymore and are miles away from the glorious finish line. The middle is murky, complicated, and full of quicksand.

You might lose momentum—what started as a passionate sprint turns into a slow crawl. Maybe you hit a roadblock, and your brilliant idea suddenly feels… not so brilliant.

Or life gets in the way, and your project gathers dust. One week turns into one month; before you know it, your middle is an archaeological dig site.

Here’s how you navigate the middle:

• Break it down: Focus on small, bite-sized chunks. Instead of “Write the screenplay,“ aim for “Write the next scene.”
• Stay curious: If you’re stuck, ask yourself, What’s the most arbitrary thing that could happen right now in a very “human” way.
• Forgive the mess: The middle is supposed to be messy! Keep going!

Remember, no masterpiece was ever made without a little slog in the middle.

Getting Lost at the Finish Line

You’re almost there! So why is it so hard to cross the finish line?

Finishing requires letting go, and letting go is hard. It means saying, “This is the best I can do right now,“ and releasing your baby into the world. It means risking judgment, rejection, or (gasp) success.

Finishing isn’t about perfection. It’s about completion. Let me say that in a different way. Finishing isn’t about perfection. It’s about completion. Oh, yes, it is the same – this is important.

Because here’s the truth: the project you finish today will never be the same if you wait five years. You’ll grow, the world and your story will change.

So finish it. Let it be what it is—imperfect but done. Then celebrate. Dance around the room. Have a warm cup of cacao—whatever floats your creative boat. And then?

Create. Release. Relax.

A Universal Truth for Creatives

This whole “three places to get lost“ thing isn’t just about your projects. It’s about storytelling itself.

Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. And every one of those phases will challenge you, whether you’re writing a novel, filming a documentary, or pouring your soul into a one-person show.

The trick is recognizing where you’re stuck, allowing the process to work through you, and keeping moving forward. Starting is scary, middles are messy, and endings are vulnerable—but they’re all part of the creative journey.

And remember: when in doubt, follow nature. Create. Release. Relax. The trees don’t stress about their next set of leaves—they just grow. You can, too.

So, where are you stuck today? Beginning? Middle? End? Wherever it is, know that you’re not alone and have what it takes to find your way. I have been there and will be there again next week or month. Here is what will help: Be aware of where you are in your process. Sometimes, you will have more awareness, and other times, less. Keep showing up—for yourself. And (eventually) the world will bend in your favor.

Keep Creating & Having Fun,

Joshua