It All Begins When You Let Go The Need For Perfection

What does “perfect” mean to you? Perfection is a noun that is identified differently by everyone. Your definition of perfect might differ from mine, but does that imply one definition is better than the other? Not necessarily, although it may appear that way to an individual. Now, what if I were to tell you that perfection doesn’t actually exist? Would you believe it? 

Throughout life, we’ve been fed the belief that perfection is some kind of rigid mold that we all must squeeze into just to be deemed acceptable.

You know, like being perfectly well-behaved, strictly adhering to all those societal norms, and in the process, losing touch with our true selves. It’s a sad reality that in our pursuit of this elusive perfection, we often abandon what truly matters to us, all for the sake of conforming to society’s expectations.

Perfection is an unattainable illusion that we often get lost in trying to obtain.  Yet, within each of us lies a unique form of perfection, waiting to be embraced. Just because something deviates from the ordinary doesn’t render it useless or in need of fixing. Instead of fixating on an unattainable ideal, let us channel that energy towards becoming better human beings.

In truth, nothing can ever achieve absolute perfection, but there are always tweaks that can be made to enhance it.

Take, for example, the various types of relationships. Not a single relationship is perfect one hundred percent of the time. Conflicts and disagreements can arise from time to time, and that’s perfectly normal. The problem becomes an issue when people pretend that their relationship is flawless at all times. Although personalities can get along, they can also clash from time to time. However, this doesn’t mean the relationship is no good; on the contrary, it means that they value the relationship so much that they are willing to work on their differences to improve the partnership.

Perfection is a concept we have all struggled with at least once, whether consciously or unconsciously. We’ve all taken actions to alter something about ourselves in order to fit in and be part of the crowd. Nowadays, growing up is particularly challenging due to the false ideals of perfection portrayed on social media.

Sure, social media is all fun and games until it starts playing with your mind, dictating how your body and social life should look like. It’s at that moment when we begin to question our entire existence because our bodies don’t resemble those picture-perfect images, especially after enjoying a meal or opting for a quiet Friday night in. But here’s the thing: not going out on Friday nights or feeling bloated after a meal does not mean you are imperfect. No way! It simply means you are human and that you value some “me time.”

The article Dis-like: How Social Media Feeds into Perfectionism by Hannah Messinger identify how “the focus on perfectionism can be destructive—more than a mental health risk factor, it can be a physical one as well… Holding unrealistic expectations on what they should own, how they should look, or what they need to achieve” (Messinger).

As we get older, we start to realize that perfection is an unachievable illusion.

It’s unachievable because you go to great lengths to appear perfect solely for the benefit of others, but it ultimately amounts to nothing. However, as time passes, you begin to understand that you don’t need to change yourself just to please others. The only person you truly need to impress is yourself. This is something I wish my younger self had understood. She yearned so desperately for acceptance that she transformed herself entirely in the pursuit of an unreachable perfection.

The time has arrived for us to reprogram our minds and erase the false perception of what perfection ought to be. You don’t need to alter your life to make it appear perfect, just as you shouldn’t pretend to be someone else to be liked by someone. Your imperfections are what make you perfect and unique.

Learn to accept and embrace your imperfections, because they are what make you the incredible human being that you are. Because you are amazing just the way you are!

Reference:

Messinger, H. (2019, November 19). Dis-like: How social media feeds into perfectionism. Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2019/november/dis-like-how-social-media-feeds-into-perfectionism

Stay Beautiful XoXo

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