How I Learned to Not Be A Perfectionist
Do you ever feel like you’re going to panic if things aren’t perfect or up to your standards? I have totally been there (still am, in some cases) but I have learned that I don’t have to be. Today’s pots is going to be how I learned to not be a perfectionist. Well, I am working on it at least.
Are You A Perfectionist?
If you ask my mother, she’ll probably tell you that I am definitely not a perfectionist. If you ask my boss at work he would probably say “maybe, when she wants to be”. If you ask my boyfriend or friends that watch me create 1001knits they would say – absolutely. Why the discrepency? Well, I am a perfectionist when it comes to things I care about.
I didn’t always care about school (sorry mom). But once I did (very recently) I made studying and my notes my top priority. I had the best notes that were color coded and they were planned weeks before the test and if I didn’t have enough time to perfect these notes then I would start to panic and get anxious.
At work – well. I don’t know. I like to get things done and if I can do something I will, but if it’s not my job then I will put it to the side unless asked to do something. Not really ideal, but I don’t care that much. Is it bad? Yes. Is it the worst thing about me? No. The job that I have right now is a good one and I do enjoy it, but it’s not my passion.
When it comes to 1001Knits…perfectionist all the way. THIS is my passion. I love teaching. I love creating content. I love making and editing videos. I love making patterns. I love reviewing yarn. I love creating. period. Full stop. So to me, it’s easy! That’s why I want to make things perfect, because it is an extension of my passion.
I also feel some sense of pressure since I am putting myself out there in the world and online for things to be of a higher quality. But I have learned that I don’t have to be a perfectionist and here is how.
Learn To Let It Go
You try your hardest and that’s all that you can do and ask for. Some things can’t be better than that and that’s all! Just remember that and try to let things go. It is definitely something that you have to learn to do and it’s not easy to do. But I found myself saying “you did your best don’t worry about the rest!” to others in my life, but why don’t I take my own advice?
I started to listen to myself and it has worked! I have learned to be kinder to myself and less particular. If my picture is good but not 100% what I had in mind, I just post it. If the lighting isn’t ideal, then I will edit it and get something better. If I edit a video and the footage is a little blurry for a few seconds, it’s okay, I can cut it out. So, I have learned to let things go as long as I know that the overall quality is still good.
Be Kind To Yourself
A lot of times with perfection comes a lot of stress and anxiety. To me it makes sense because I am usually stressed about things I care about. However, it is more important to be kind to yourself. Once you do that, I think you will see how it can help you ease up on your strive for perfection.
Have Fun
If you’re not having fun with whatever you do it won’t ever be what you want it to be. So, just have fun! Life is too short to be so hard on yourself and it’s not even worth it. Enjoy it ! I understand the need to get things done and get work accomplished. But you can have fun doing all that too. That’s why I created project F.U.N if you haven’t seen that check it out!
If it’s nice weather I will sit outside at my favorite coffee shop or on my deck with my dog and just get things done. If it’s raining I’ll be inside, but I might have music blasting and an occasional dance party. I like to break up my work with some fun. That’s the best way that I work. And it takes my mind off of everything needing to be “perfect”
Change Your Definition of Perfect
If you are working towards something, just keep working. You can’t work towards perfect because perfect isn’t a thing. So, I had to change my definition of the word. To me, a perfect post is one that I enjoy writing, that I think my readers will benefit off of, and that is informative. If it checks off those three points then that is all that I can ask for in a great post.
So, if you change the definition of what you’re trying to attain then you have something else to work toward, then it is easier to achieve. Make your definition clear, and attainable, but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Because you won’t grow unless you do something different.
Let’s Chat
How does this work for you? Are you a self-proclaimed perfectionist? Let’s start a discussion on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram !
