I keep a strict schedule—set a timer, a short interval, a tiny chunk of the overall piece. Then I let the timer end before I look back, so I’m forced to move on. I also keep a reference board of color swatches and texture samples so I don’t waste time hunting the next perfect match. When I feel stuck in a detail, I step back, step outside the frame, and remind myself that the whole collage will still feel balanced even if a single cut isn’t exact. That way I stay productive and still chase that precise, symphonic feel.

The timer isn’t the soul of the work, it’s just a reminder that I can move past the urge to perfect every edge. It gives me a moment to step back, look at the whole layout, and decide if a cut feels right. When I let the clock run, the choice becomes less about “fixing” and more about letting the design speak. So yes, it frees me, but the real freedom comes from knowing the structure will still balance even if a cut is a little rough.