Why Perfection is Total Bullsh*t

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​We’ve all been there. Not feeling so great because we acted in a lousy way. We let someone down, perhaps ourselves. We did something stupid. We made mistakes. We did that one thing we promised ourselves we wouldn’t do.

And now we feel the need, be it consciously or unconsciously, to punish ourselves. Whether this punishment comes out in self-loathing, negative self-talk, self-sabotage or any other creative way we come up with, it completely derails our momentum, our plans, and our dreams. And we often cycle through life going from feeling good about ourselves to not feeling so good about ourselves. Why do you think this is?

For me, the problem stemmed from my inner perfectionist. A little voice within me that decided long ago that in order to be lovable or “good enough” I had to be exceptional. Preferably perfect. And if I did things that did not align with my vision for perfection, then I’d treat myself to an emotional shit-kicking as I reflected on my running list of failures. This not only made it near impossible to ever feel acceptable, but it also scared the hell out of me so I never wanted to try new things. That is, until I silenced my inner perfectionist.

As we all know, mistakes come from trying new things. But rather than looking at that in a negative way, couldn’t we shift our perception to see the impressive nature of making mistakes? Technically, making mistakes is an indicator that you’re being brave, trying new things, taking risks, and really - making the most of this life you’ve been given.

The fact of the matter is: Perfection is a myth. It’s a load of BS. It’s not attainable, and it shouldn’t even be strived for. Perfection is absolutely impossible. No one on this Earth is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all struggle. We all have ups and downs. Sure, some achieve excellent things with their lives with the right mindset, and a willingness to struggle, but they are far from perfect.

Let’s pretend for a moment that perfection does exist, could you even fathom the boredom that would result from living a perfect life? There would be no growth, no adventure, no obstacles, no challenges. Life would be a bland, vanilla, mind-numbing experience. 

So rather than deciding that you need to be “better” because where you’re at currently isn’t good enough, choose to love and accept yourself just as you are. Because you are perfectly imperfect. Your quirks and flaws are all a part of what makes you YOU. You are irreplaceable. You are a one of a kind. You are completely unique, and wonderful, and magical. And if you were perfect, you’d be a bore. No one could relate with you. You are so much better off being the magnificently real and authentic being you are today.

Struggle in the spice of life. Mistakes are where the magic happens. It is in moments of adversity that we learn the most, grow and evolve spiritually, and where we find out exactly what we’re truly made of. Let's strive for progress over perfection, as that is an achievable goal and a way to ensure your life is remarkable.

So the next time your inner perfectionist pipes in with it’s disapproval, feel free to reply with “I’m perfectly happy with my imperfections” because you know who you are authentically is more than good enough, and with this new found acceptance for the inevitable imperfections in yourself, you can embrace all this life has to offer you. 

I challenge you to celebrate your next mistake, because the only real failure in this life is living too cautiously, afraid to move outside your comfort zone for fear of failure. Life is designed to be messy. Life is meant to be experienced fully. And that involves all the highs and lows, because the contrast between the two is what makes the good times so incredibly sweet. 

So silence your inner perfectionist, and listen instead to your inner cheerleader who knows that you can truly achieve anything you set your mind to. And never forget, that you are the most influential person you'll talk to each day.

Sending you love, light & acceptance of your crazy self,
-L.K.