“A Parting Gift to My Perfect Self” is a stop-motion animation that documents my escape from the chains of perfectionism that hold me back from creating art fearlessly. This story is best portrayed through a stop-motion, because this medium itself is inherently imperfect. While the process of creating this film was tedious, it challenged me to let go from my preconceived notion of a “perfect” outcome and embrace the film as it came together over the semester. The content of the film details this destruction of “perfection” and replaces it with my experiences as an artist from my childhood until now. The film looks at creation through the lens of childhood and reminds that audience that the core purpose of making art is to have fun. After completing this project, my entire mindset on what defines “good art” is changed. I hope the audience is able to feel my growth through the film and find the courage to start making their own art, not matter the outcome.