Let Go of Perfection

If there were one piece of advice I could pass along to that mama out there trying to keep all the balls in the air it would be, let go of perfection. It doesn’t exist, and you will kill yourself trying.

There you go, that’s it. Do I even need to write any further?

Of course I do, because it isn’t that simple for us moms to hear. More importantly, it isn’t that easy for us to do. We are constantly met with an expectation placed by society to look a certain way, do certain things, look a certain way while doing certain things. You get my drift.

Having the drive to do everything to the very best of our ability is a wonderful thing. It serves us well very often, but sometimes it can try to kill us. The push daily to complete everything thrown at us and to do it not just well but while looking like it is effortless, it is enough to send us to the looney farm.

The most destructive aspect of it all is that it leaves us being less than the best for our family. That is quite counterproductive since after all our quest for perfection is so often for their benefit. We push ourselves the way we do so we can feel like we are giving them the best of everything. It is this very process that leaves up failing them in what they need most, us.

Let Go of Perfection.

You only have so many hours in your day. There is no possible way to do it all. Not in a day not over a year, there isn’t enough time to do everything perfectly. Letting go of perfection means two things, you cannot be everything to everyone. You will have to let go of a lot of things to focus on what matters most. And secondly, letting go of perfection in those things that do “make the list.”

We all know that dishes must be washed, and clothes don’t clean themselves, so they are on the list but dishes never on the countertop even to dry or only ironed clothes go to the closet, probably not necessary. Themed monthly school lunches or twice weekly cleaning not worth it if it is going to take away from time with those you love. Pack a lunch that keeps them from starving and clean when it’s getting a little icky.

Comparison poisons joy and contentment.

You don’t have to be like anyone else. You don’t have to do it anyone else’s way, just your own. You know what works best. Have the confidence to do it your way. If it works for your family, it is the right way to do it. Progress is always better than perfection.

I am the first person to jump on the internet and look for suggestions on how to handle a situation or household challenge. It makes for a perfect jumping off spot to find a solution that works for my family. Almost always though, I make adjustments and tweaks so that it will work well for my family. These adjustments ensure that a balance is maintained and that the focus is on progress instead of perfection. I always make sure it isn’t putting too much emphasis on anything that would take away from my loved ones.

Perfection doesn’t exist and pursuing it is a dead end road. When you let go of perfection, the rewards are widespread and life-altering.

It’s time to set your own expectations and rock it!

Check out this post on Choosing Progress Over Perfection!