One way to loosen the grip of perfectionism is to purposely do things you can’t fully control.

I like using blind contour drawing for this.

It’s a no-pressure way of making art, with the added benefit of encouraging mindfulness, or being fully present in the moment. Like meditation, your thoughts will likely start to wander, especially if you are new to the process. If that happens your lines will start to wander too. That’s ok. The point is not to make an accurate drawing, but to slow down, pay attention, and enjoy the process.

If you want to try it, grab a pen, pencil, crayon (whatever you have on hand), place it on a piece of paper, then look in the mirror and draw your face without looking down. Don’t want to draw your face? Draw whatever is in front of you. Draw from a photograph. Draw in one continuous line, or lift the pencil now and then. Make your own rules. It doesn’t matter. The benefit will be the same. 

Breath and relax into not worrying about what it will look like. Know that you are perfectly imperfect. (Ahhhhh…)