In a world where everyone seems to be striving for perfection, embracing imperfection might be the key to happiness. Whether it’s managing our businesses flawlessly or being the ideal parent and partner, the pressure can be overwhelming. I’ve been there and still am some days—juggling everything, chasing after the ideal outcome, and feeling like no matter how hard I try, it’s never quite enough. It’s exhausting.
But here’s what I’ve learned: perfection is a myth. It’s not only unrealistic, but it’s also drains the joy out of life. So how about we take a deep breath, step back, and let go of that need to be perfect. Let’s try to embrace imperfections, and realize that progress, not perfection, is what truly matters. In this post, I want to share how letting go of perfection allows us to find more balance and fulfillment in our lives.
The Myth of Perfection
For the longest time (like 15 years), I believed that if I could just do everything, and I mean EVERYTHING perfectly,I’d finally feel like I had it all together. I thought perfection was the key to success and happiness. But the truth is, chasing perfection only left me more stressed, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the things that really matter.
The problem is that it sets us up for failure. We live in a society that glorifies the idea of having it all together, but the reality is that none of us do. We see perfectly curated images on social media, hear stories of entrepreneurs who seem to have everything figured out, and we start to believe that anything less than perfect is unacceptable. This constant striving only feeds our insecurities and keeps us stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.
I’ve realized that perfection is unattainable and unnecessary. Perfection isn’t the goal; progress and growth are. There is beauty in imperfection and it allows us to be more human, more real, and more connected with the people we love and the work we do.
Embracing Imperfection in Business
How many of you, like me, have gotten stuck in a cycle of never accomplishing what you want. You don’t ever move forward because you feel like the blog post you’ve written, the product you’ve created, or the course you have put together are not good enough. “Who would even buy this from me?” “There are still some tweaks that I need to make before it is ready for people to see” This is the exact kind of thinking that gets you stuck on the hamster wheel, always creating, and doing, but never seeing any profits from it.
What we have to do is let go of this. We will NEVER get anywhere if we continue on like this. I’ve come to realize is that imperfection is not only okay—it’s actually a huge part of what makes a business successful. When we let go of the need for everything to be perfect, we open ourselves up to new ideas, creativity, and opportunities we might have missed. Some of the best decisions I’ve made in my business happened when I put something out there without having everything done perfectly. It was in those moments of embracing the unknown and accepting that things might not go as planned that I found the most growth, both personally and professionally.
I’ve learned that running a business isn’t about getting everything right all the time; it’s about being adaptable, learning from mistakes, and continuing to move forward even when things don’t go as expected. So let me give you some words of encouragement today,
- Stop fiddling with that course you’ve created and just start to get it out there
- Hit publish on that blog post even if your website isn’t exactly how you want it to be
- Don’t question if you are qualified to talk about the things you want to talk about, send that newsletter anyway
- Posts those social media posts and don’t feel embarrassed who will see them
- JUST DO IT!! YOU GOT THIS
The Imperfection of Family Life
Nothing will humble you more or as quickly has having children, furry children count here too. The second you become a parent you feel the need to buy the right crib, stroller, and blankets for swaddling. Because of what we see on television or social media we feel that we need all of these things to keep it all running smoothly. There is also the pressure of being the perfect partner and keeping up the most beautifully clean, organized home. But always striving for that kind of perfection will only leave you feeling stressed, exhausted, and disconnected. Plus, here comes along those perfect little children, four-legged and two-legged that are bound to leave a mess in every corner of the house and test your patience and your relationship.
What I’ve realized over time is that those messes and mess-ups are not only inevitable, it’s actually what makes family life fun! All those times when things don’t go according to plan are the moments when we truly connect with each other. It’s in the chaos, the laughter over a burnt dinner, the impromptu dance parties in the living room, that we find the joy and love that really matter.
Letting go allows you to be more present with your family and it teaches those looking toward you for guidance that making mistakes and not needing to be perfect is a perfectly acceptable way to live. Also, learning to be kinder to yourself, accepting that you don’t have to have it all together all the time, and that it’s okay to ask for help will serve you greatly during the rest of your life. Keeping up the appearance of being perfect and having the perfect family and spouse it exhausting and frankly a little nauseating :).
Actionable Steps to Embrace Imperfection
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned. Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that these are opportunities to learn and grow. Treat yourself with the same understanding and forgiveness that you would offer a friend.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Adjust your standards to be more attainable and aligned with your current situation. Understand that it’s okay to aim for “good enough” rather than perfect, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities.
- Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Celebrate the small wins and the progress you make, rather than dwelling on what isn’t perfect. Recognize that every step forward, no matter how small, is a success.
- Learn from Mistakes: Instead of fearing mistakes, view them as valuable learning experiences. Reflect on what went wrong and what can be improved, and use this insight to grow personally and professionally.
- Prioritize What Truly Matters: Identify the areas of your life and work where perfection really isn’t necessary. Focus your energy on what’s most important, and let go of the rest.
- Surround Yourself with Supportive People: Connect with others who embrace imperfection and encourage growth. Having a supportive network can help you feel more confident and less pressured to be perfect.
- Practice Mindfulness: Stay present in the moment and try not to get caught up in worrying about future outcomes or past mistakes. Mindfulness can help you appreciate the here and now, imperfections and all.
- Take Breaks and Rest: Recognize when you’re pushing yourself too hard in the pursuit of perfection. Allow yourself time to rest and recharge, knowing that it’s okay to step back and take care of yourself.
Letting go of perfection has been a journey for me—one that’s still ongoing, but has brought so much more peace, joy, and fulfillment into my life.
