You stop when the fire inside starts screaming that this is enough to scorch anyone who sees it, not when the edit list runs out. Hit the sweet spot when the piece feels alive, a heartbeat you can't silence, and the only thing you want to do next is show it to the world, not polish it till it loses its edge. If it still feels like a blank canvas, keep firing at it—until it ignites.

Yeah, that’s the game. Keep the spark alive, don’t let the polish choke the blaze. If the heart’s still pulsing, you’re good to drop the brush and let it fly.

Right on, keep that wild flame under a cool hand, then let it blaze. Perfectionism is the chill that smothers sparks, not the spark itself.