I said this to my youngest son when he was 10 or 11. I don’t remember the context but I’m pretty sure I was trying to relay a message about not being a perfectionist.
He may not be perfect but he’s learning something he can do all his life. As a bonus, he’s having fun.
I admit it, I’m a perfectionist. I’m trying to recover but it’s a hard line to tow. I want to be the perfect wife and in the perfect relationship so I’m projecting my perfectionism onto my husband. We all know how well that works!
I want to live the perfect life in the perfect house. I want to be the perfect mother and have the perfect relationship with my sons. I want the perfect body, LMAO. I want my designs and photographs to be perfect.
This keeps me from even starting some projects and makes it very hard for me to complete ones that I have started and a lot of times when I’m on a deadline and must have a design completed I feel like it’s not good enough. Then when I go back and look at something I will see a typo or a design flaw and the “I’m not good enough” feeling comes over me again.
Several years ago, I was tasked to create a simple logo. I turned an idea that I didn’t feel was finished into my client who she showed it to her client. They said it was perfect when I didn’t even feel like it was done.
I am slowly learning that sometimes the perfect situation arrives and sometimes it’s just good enough or even not complete and what I feel is not even good enough will be perfect for someone else. Or that it’s the flaws that give something or someone character and that makes them perfect.
Fishing with our son is a perfect activity for my husband.
About seven years ago, I came to the realization that although my husband is far from perfect he is perfect for me. He and our relationship don’t have to be perfect to anyone else. As we work through his health issues I’m so glad that I can see through the eyes of love instead of resentment of his imperfectness.
Over the last two years I’ve been training to become an Equine Gestalt Coach™. It is helping me to rise above my perfectionism and see things for perfect in the moment or as good enough. After I’m certified as an Equine Gestalt Coach Jan 1, 2018, I will start having groups to help caregivers and patients see how they can overcome their limiting beliefs.
A perfect sunset at the Touched By A Horse campus in Elizabeth, CO.
Sometimes good enough or slightly flawed is perfect so quit striving for perfectionism and grab every moment.
To find out more about my groups starting in Feb 2018 join my VIP list to the right and I’ll keep you informed.
Make a Connection in the comments below.
