5 Areas Where Perfection Doesn't Matter
The holidays are such a fun time of year but I also think it can be one of the most stressful times too. Mostly because of this idea that everything has to be PERFECT.
If you followed along with my 31 Days to a Better Work + Life Balance, you know I wrote a little bit about how to let go of perfection. But sometimes it's hard to re-train our brains when we've been living based on approval or our performance for so long. I definitely need these reminders for myself during this season!
So today I wanted to share some practical ways we can take this to heart.
(AND BE MORE AWESOME)
5 Areas Where Perfection Doesn't Matter
1// Home Environment
Perfection says: The house has to be fabulously decorated and spotlessly clean for us to relax.
Truth: A relaxed environment is made by an attitude of peace and rest. Adding candles or cozy lighting, good music and a laid back host make such a big difference. Most people won't even notice if the floor is perfectly swept or if picture frames are dusted. I've always loved the quote: "Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy." -Author Unknown
I promise family and friends will be far more affected by your mood than that pile of clutter in the corner.
2// Beauty
Perfection says: If you don't have a trendy outfit or stylish hair and makeup, you'll be inferior.
Truth: Sometimes even the most beautiful person is made ugly by self-obsession or how they treat others. Just watch reality TV shows for awhile to see the truth in this. Wouldn't you much rather be around someone who is kind, full of life and enthusiastic than someone who looks great with a negative attitude? Who cares about the outfit.
"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." - Audrey Hepburn
3// Cooking/Presentation
Perfection says: Your food must look and taste amazing or you'll disappoint everyone.
Truth: It's just food. It's not the end of the world if a few bites are a little overdone or extra chewy. Everyone's definition of what tastes good is different, so why do we try so hard to earn our worth this way? I know that the "starving children in Africa" is overused but honestly if we have something to put in our bellies we should be thankful -whether it comes on fine china or a paper plate. If someone wants to be a food critic, then they can be ungrateful all by themselves haha.
4// Creativity
Perfection says: You'll be a failure if you don't have the best ideas and delivery.
Truth: Thoughtfulness, effort and intention is more important than absolute success. Fear of failure can be so paralyzing. This can come in the form of our design work, our writing, even gift giving. It reminds me of Ricky Bobby's "If you're not first, you're last!" So ridiculous, but we actually believe that and it keeps us from sharing what we have to offer. No one "comes in first" all the time though so we gotta stop having that standard.
5// Relationships
Perfection says: Your family has to have it altogether and always get along or it's a crisis.
Truth: It's normal to argue at times or occasionally take our stress out on family. It just happens. How many times have you shown up to an event and felt like you had to put on a happy face after just having a disagreement? The truth is we don't have to pretend like everything is perfect. One of the ways we grow closer is by sharing each other's burdens and being real during the hard times.
When we lived a few hours from family, I remember breaking down on the last day of visiting just because we were SO TIRED. The kids hadn't slept well in three days, my husband and I were grumpy at each other and trying to socialize with everyone was just too much. The minute I let family see my tears and told them about our exhaustion, it was like everyone let out a collective a sigh of relief. They didn't have to be "on" and could just relax too. It ended up being the best day even though it didn't start perfectly.
Sometimes perfect is overrated.
What ways have you let perfection affect your holiday season?
