"Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending."—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
If the first word is the hardest, the last one carries its own unique weight. A barrage of questions storms through the mind: Is it good enough? Have I done everything? Should I check it one more time? What if they don't like it? Maybe there's still room for improvement to make it perfect?
I know the mantra "Done is better than perfect," but when it's your creation—something into which you've poured your heart, mind, and countless hours—you can't help but want it to be flawless before releasing it into the world. Even while recognizing that perfection itself is an illusion.
This tension exists in every creative journey, whether a project, research, relationship, or life itself—perhaps the most creative journey of all. Declaring something complete and then letting it go requires its own kind of courage.
Yet, endings create the necessary space for new beginnings. That's how I navigate this challenge. When I finish an article, my mind already drifts toward the next one. Same with a book. But I'm also learning the beauty of pausing in that liminal space—of truly savoring that last word before moving on.
What about you? Do you rush through endings to get to the next beginning, or have you found ways to celebrate completion before moving on? How do you know when it's truly time to write that last word?
"A wise man once said; When you come to the last page, close the book." — Mr Wu from The Love Bug
Yep, last night we wrote the last word of the new book. Be ready; it's coming soon.