It has been a weird journey. From trying to rub stones to generate fire, to building empires to making planes fly, to landing on the moon to wanting to achieve more and more every day. Humans have never stopped trying; to do more, to do better, to achieve more perfection. We have excelled ourselves in all ways possible but there is always the same thing that it comes to. “Could have done better”. Is this temptation to achieve more and better a boon or a bane? Is there a finite answer to this, anyway? Let’s take a break and talk about how not to be perfect and how imperfection, in all its forms, is a beautiful thing!
A Seed In Childhood.
From a very young age, we hear things like “Look, he runs better”, “It’s good, but you can do better”, “Trying writing that ‘A’ like she does”. We force our kids to aim for a perfection which is a carved out reality of some other human being. We force them to believe that the sky has to be blue and the oranges have to be round; restrict them from expanding their imaginations in whichever way they’d like and instead, keep them in fine lines of boundaries etched by our so-called “perfect” world.
Photo by Doran Erickson on Unsplash
The Drive In Adulthood
As we grow older, the idea of being the perfect self creates so much pressure, that it often tends to be counter-productive. After the seed grows into a full-grown plant, that’s where the zeal and ever-burning fire to get ahead, without pausing for a breath, kicks in. In such times, we know that it’s not so much a pleasant ride anymore. The more time we spend on trying to be the illusive, perfect version of ourselves, the more we are going to go diving into the sea of perfection, the more imperfect the result is going to be.
What Can Be Done About It?
If you are also someone who has this urge to perfect anything and everything, here’s a tip. It’s completely okay to not be perfect. Imperfection is beautiful and human, and something that is inherent to the existence of human beings is a form of perfection in itself. All we have to remember is no matter what we do, we have to give our best efforts, and that is the maximum perfection we can aim for. Enjoying the process of getting to the final destination is more important than achieving “perfection”. Here are a few things to focus on when your drive tells you that “Not perfect yet!”:
- The idea of perfection is relative.
- What one thinks of you is not your goal of ‘perfection’, your best effort is your definition of perfection.
- We are our only competition and the race is called “Who’s The Happiest in Life?” and not “Who’s the Best?”
The bottom line is- Perfection is a utopia, and it only looks good in books and fairytales. So, be your best self and enjoy the beautiful journey that life is, in all its imperfections! Now this reminds me of a song by The Script, let me know if you like it 😉
Thanks so much for this inspirational post – very much enjoyed the read! This is a great take on perfection – imperfection divide.
Thank you for reading 😀 Glad you liked it 🙂
Thanks so much for this inspirational post – very much enjoyed the read! This is a great take on perfection – imperfection divide.
Thank you so much 🙂
Your site is beautiful, and I’m so glad I found it. Bookmarking!
Thank you so much :”)
This really resonated with me. I’m definitely someone that is always wanting more and to be better. Thanks for writing this post.
Thank you! 😀
Such an interesting post! 😊 thank you for sharing!
Thank you! 😀
So inspiring. I like when you say that we restrict the imagination
in the search for perfection..
Yes, that’s true!
I am glad you like it 🙂
I agree,i think the term ‘perfection’ is much more harmful than our society acknowledges. I go to counseling in order to work on my perfection and have learned that there is a difference between perfection and ‘striving for excellence’. I have to constantly remind myself that my goals are about the journey and not the flawless end product that i pretend i can fully reach.
Thank you for that reminder today and for reminding me how far societu has bought into the idea of perfection as an ideal. Great read.
Yes absolutely! We have to keep focusing on getting our goals ticked rather than getting perfect!
I completely agree – it’s so difficult to not look at social media and think that’s what you need to be when you don’t
I agree, social media has messed us up. It’s ok, we can fight through it!
Excellent Post and definitely one to abide by! Why is perfection still a thing in this day and age? Why can people not just be free to be who and what they want to be without the need to be perfect. It is a subject that gets me upset because I want my children to know its ok not to be perfect – They can colour outside the lines and still have a perfect picture!
– Hannah | Savingmovingmummy.com
I wish everyone understood this. I wish we get over our mainstream ideas. Thanks for your love <3
Great post! You’re completely right. We are taught through out our lives that we have to be better. In school, the highest grades get praised. In adult worklife the “best” employees get raises and promotions. I’m not saying these are not deserved, it just shows that essentially everything is a competition. You always have to strive to be better. It’s a maddening concept.
I completely agree! Thanks so much for your love <3
This is such a wonderful post! I loved it!! ❤️❤️
Thanks so much 😀
Very nice depth . https://thoughtbeauty.com/johnny-cash-top-60-quotes/
Thank you! Means a lot 🙂
Lovely post, very inspirational. I always think we are our harshest critics because there really is no such thing as perfection, only being the best we can be 🙂
That is absolutely correct! Thanks for reading x
What a nice post!
The only benchmark we need to have is the best version of ourselves.
Cheers!
Exactly, being the best version of oneself is the goal 🙂
Thanks for the love x
I love that you go back to childhood as when comparison starts! I remember lookin g at my friends and thinking they were prettier or thinner without knowing why I felt that way. The need for perfection definitely followed me as I grew but I identified it and worked to start loving myself.
Perfection exists in fairytales, true, and it is in all of us as imperfect perfection. 🙂
Yes, it is a utopia and we certainly should not make that our goal <3
Thanks for the love x
I’m such a perfectionist that I always struggle, but it is something I’m working on!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
That is understandable! And, I hope you work it out soon! You are awesome just the way you are 🙂
Love this! After having the idea of perfectionism drilled into you forever, it can be hard to accept that it’s not always reality, but it’s definitely worth remembering!
True! I hope we all get this out of our system sooner rather than later!
Thanks, Paige x
This is an absolutely wonderful post. I’m trying to remember the exact phrase, but there’s a saying I really like along the lines of “perfection is the enemy of good.” Or “perfection is the enemy of complete.” My strive to be perfect really stunted my artistic growth until recently. When you’re trying to be perfect, you find that you stop trying at all because you’re afraid of creating something imperfect. Thank you for reminding people to take a step back. And that the only person we’re in competition with is ourselves. Thanks!
I agree with you! It most certainly is. I am glad you are growing to be the best version of yourself, it’ll be a beautiful journey 🙂
Thanks for reading x
Such an inspiration post. I used to strive for perfection while I was younger but as the years go by, I realized perfection is an actual myth. There is beauty in just being your messy self, there is beauty in enjoying the process like you said.
Thank you for sharing this
Absolutely! Let’s all enjoy the journey and focus a little less in making the end perfect 🙂
Thanks for reading x
This is definitely something that affects me and something I’m trying to hold onto less. It just creates unrealistic expectations of oneself and it was be quite draining. Thank you for the inspiring post. 🙂
Anytime, Belinda 🙂
I am glad this was of help to you! X
Perfection is 100% subjective and relative, and sometimes I find it hard to remember that myself! Lovely post 🙂
Thanks so much, I hope this article will be that reminder to you. 🙂
Thanks x
I never had any of that said to me during my childhood, my drive for perfection was a combination of needing control of something in my life due to years of racial and physical abuse, my attachment problems which turned me into a people pleaser, and not wanting to be seen I’m not instantly good at something. The latter is still a big problem for me
That’s great that you realize that perfection is a myth. Try to be your best self, and not the perfect self and you’ll do just fine 🙂
Such a great post! I totally agree about the pressure of being ‘perfect’ it really is counterproductive! At the end of the day, we just need to take happiness from the now! 🙂
Absolutely!
I am glad you liked it 🙂
Thanks x
Perfection is relative and based on someone else’s standards. Plus people he think they are perfect are no fun anyways lol. Like you said it’s better to strive for “your” best and be happy.
Absolutely! Your best version is your perfect self 😀
Thanks for reading x
This is a great post. I think everyone is striving for their own degree of perfection. I think if you are striving for that, you are constantly improving and growing which I think is a great thing
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
That’s a very interesting way to look at it 😀
Keep shining!
Thanks for the read x
This is such a great post. I think we all struggle to be perfect to some degree. It is important to take a step back sometimes and reevaluate!
Yes, it is. The journey is where all the fun lie!
Thanks x
This really hits home. The academic situation in India is VERY competitive right from the start. My dad always put more pressure on me but I’m glad my mum made me understand that my best is enough. Even with it, I started struggling to be perfect through school and peer pressure which has carried over until now. It’s taking me time to unlearn and only compete with myself.
Lovely post 🙂
We are all somehow going through this. Don’t be too hard on yourself! Keep shining 🙂
Thanks x
Exactly! I used to be a huge perfectionist. I’m recovered but trying desperately not to plant the seeds in my own children.
I am glad you are working it out! Thanks for the read 😀
Loved this post as the goal to perfection always seems to be lurking out there!
Thanks for the read! Glad you liked it 🙂
This is such an inspirational and encouraging post, thank you for sharing 🙂 I love that you say enjoying the process is way more important than the final destination, that is so true and a great reminder! Fab post, have a lovely day! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
Thank you so much! Absolutely, the journey is way more important than the goal! 🙂
You too have a lovely day X
I can really relate to this. I had a parent growing up whose motto was “Strive for perfection, and settle for excellence.” I’m 34 and it still affects me today. We need to loosen up and just let our kids explore, and make mistakes, and learn.
Exactly! It is so not fair to beat ourselves up over perfection because that is a make-believe thing to be. Have a good day 😀
Lovely post & one to live by! I always try and embrace imperfections and make others around me realise there is beauty in so called flaws and imperfections. We are and the world is imperfectly perfect 🙂
Thanks,
Louna – burstsofautumn x
I agree with you! In every way, imperfection is the most perfect thing to exist 😀