In this day in age, we are expected to have everything together all the time. We need to be the best at work, on top of everything in our family life, as well as keep up with all of our social engagements and responsibilities. It can be incredibly overwhelming and frustrating to have the constant need imposed upon you to be perfect.

Because we have to keep up with so much and we want to ensure we can fit as much life into our days, weeks, months, and years, we feel like we have to be perfect in order to get the most out of it all. It is possible though to overcome that pressure to be perfect and still live a happy and fulfilling life. There are plenty of ways to juggle it all without succumbing to the lie that you have to be perfect to be happy.

Why Perfection is Unattainable

Perfection seems to be the goal for so many, but that doesn’t mean it is an attainable goal. The word perfect itself means to be without fault or flaws, which is absolutely impossible for anyone to reach. We all have faults and flaws because it is impossible not to. As humans, we are flawed but that doesn’t mean we’re wrong.

Flaws Aren’t Bad

Flaws don’t mean that you are a bad person or not good enough. What constitutes a flaw is something that is also subject to interpretation. Maybe you have a habit of taking on too much at once, or it takes you a bit longer than some to get things done. These things can be viewed as hindrances that keep you from being “the best you can be” when in reality perfection is a construct and your best is what you deem to be best.

Stop Comparing Yourself

If your personal best is just being able to wake up in the morning and take a shower, then that’s what is right for you. Feeling constantly pressured by shiny Instagram profiles, mommy blogs, and so-called “girl bosses”, can be stifling. Being productive and “perfect” can vary so much from person to person that it isn’t a one size fits all scenario.

Striving for someone else’s idea of perfect is like trying to wear a shoe that just doesn’t fit. You’re just left with the pain and strain of that ill-fitting shoe that you tried to make work. But with perfection being the standard for so many people, how do you break out of that cycle of feeling pressured to fit the mold?

Overcoming the Need to Be Perfect

This may seem like a simple way to start, but just understanding your value as a person can do wonders for your self-worth. You get to choose what your version of perfect is. If that means being the mom that makes her kids feel special, then that’s what your perfection is. If it is just learning to forgive yourself for the things you can’t accomplish, then that’s okay too.

Redefine Perfection

You don’t have to completely give up on being perfect, but redefining perfection to suit you is a step in the right direction. Your self-worth and feelings of accomplishment are more important than someone else’s idea of what you should be or want. We forget so often that our worth is not tied to the perception that others have of us and what we could be, but instead on our actualization and happiness.

Embrace Change

It is important to also remember that your definitions can change over time. If you used to be able to take on any task and finish them in record time, but now you have a hard time managing to, that isn’t a fault of yours. People can get burnt out all the time, and not only does that slow your productivity down, but it can add to that negative thought process that perfection or productivity is your only defining feature.

Remember Who You Are

There is so much more to worry about in the world than whether or not your boss or a friend would consider you to be absolutely perfect. Laying these worries to rest can help alleviate unwanted stress, frustration, and restore your individuality. You aren’t just some co-worker, parent, friend, or spouse, you’re also a person and your needs are important to pay attention to.

So throw out the expectation that you have to be perfect to be worth something. Focus a little bit more on self-care, learn to say no, work at your own pace, and make sure to keep on shining.

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