S2, Ep2: Perfect vs. Done: Kyle Metzger on Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Pursuing Art Anyway

In this episode, we sit down with longtime friend and creative force Kyle Metzger, an award-winning lighting designer and multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans ski films, fine furniture, carpentry, and photography. Through the lens of perfectionism, we explore how the desire to create something exceptional can become a paralyzing block. Kyle opens up about his journey navigating the tension between idealism and action, identity and ego, creative vision and real-world limitations. From career pivots and burnout to breakthrough projects and deeply personal insights, this is a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever struggled to start (or finish) because it didn’t feel perfect.

We Chat About:

• How perfectionism disguises itself as integrity, identity, and control
• Why perfectionism often leads to procrastination, paralysis, or avoidance
• The emotional cost of being “too precious” with your work
• Navigating perfectionism as a multi-passionate creative
• Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment after 20 years of quiet effort
• Why design, lighting, and environment are emotional experiences
• How ego and creative expression are deeply intertwined
• The tension between wanting recognition and fearing exposure
• Why small creative acts matter just as much as big ones
• Giving yourself permission to be seen—even when it’s messy

About Kyle: Kyle Metzger is an award-winning lighting designer for films specializing in ski movies. He is also a talented carpenter, photographer, writer, farmer and chef. He lives in Portland, Oregon. 

Connect with Kyle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basil_wrathbone/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchetlerFilms

Website: https://www.chrisbenchetler.com/

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction to Kyle Metzger

01:15 – Which creative role feels most fulfilling now

02:30 – From film to carpentry: building as expression

05:00 – Why Kyle almost became an architect

06:45 – Choosing filmmaking: fear, freedom, and social life

08:50 – Charting a nonlinear creative career

10:20 – Advice for younger creatives: “You can do less in a day, more in a year”

12:00 – Current desires: writing, building, skiing, and solitude

14:00 – How Kyle’s rural upbringing shaped his creative eye

16:00 – Cooking as survival creativity

17:50 – What life in the film industry actually looks like

20:00 – The Mountains of the Moon project: skiing, psychedelics, and skeletons

23:00 – Authoring work vs. being a cog

25:00 – Kyle’s “I’ve arrived” moment in British Columbia

28:00 – Why he couldn’t have handled success any earlier

30:00 – Rejecting mainstream influence to preserve intuition

32:00 – Kyle’s take on perfectionism as ego and identity

34:00 – Trade-offs, reality checks, and the cost of idealism

36:00 – When perfectionism leads to avoidance

38:30 – How identity and self-image slow down creative starts

40:00 – The pain of sharing messy first drafts

42:00 – Complaining vs. caring deeply: reframing critical observation

44:30 – Crafting better experiences: the designer’s perspective

46:00 – Encouragement to share your lens with the world

49:00 – Why Kyle doesn’t post more—and how perfectionism gets in the way

53:00 – Sharing from service, not ego

55:00 – Embracing your voice—even when it’s sharp, imperfect, or unfinished

57:00 – A conversation about creative kinship and evolving friendship

58:30 – Where to follow Kyle’s work and upcoming projects

More Resources:

Apply to be a guest on the show: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-podcast

Check out our blog: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/the-blog

Join the course waitlist for THE TEACHINGS: https://wearecreativeenergy.com/theteachings

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearecreativeenergy/

Learn more about Linda’s work: www.lindalewcreative.com

Learn more about Heather’s work: www.heathermanwaring.com