Perfectly Imperfect

Perfect, a word we all use and some even spend most of our time attempting to associate with. Perfect is absolute, complete, having all desired qualities or being as good as possible. Can we truly be perfect? I do not believe so, but I find myself striving for it only to realize how imperfect I really am. So why are we as society so stuck on being perfect?

Perfectly Imperfect

“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.” - George Orwell

I have battled with this for quite some time figuring out what perfect is and how can I encompass it in my everyday life. Is it waking up at a set time each day and doing routine tasks to feel organized, is it not having wrinkles or grey hairs or is it fitting so perfectly into one person’s image of you? I have always struggled with being perfect to everyone. I literally have exhausted myself trying to be the perfect image to every person I engage with. On the upside, I have learned many skills and developed many qualities. While I have also created my own stress and disappointment as well.

I see other women and think should my hair be that long, is my makeup not good enough, why can’t I dress fashionably. I compare constantly and burden myself with ideas of what perfect looks like. In relationships I try to be the perfect girlfriend and fit into every void that person has in order to fill it or morph into their idea of perfect. Exhausting! Utterly exhausting. Yet everyday I think about things I did wrong, why doesn’t this person think I am good enough and yes this all plays into our idea of being perfect. Then I think about what is perfect, what is the ideal perfect person. I cannot imagine any one person.

I believe society has trained us all to think we must be perfect in all areas of life from image to success. Let me tell you when you struggle with depression or anxiety, attempting to be perfect creates chaotic moments. I have had mental breakdowns and cried myself to sleep over the fact I was not someone’s idea of perfect. As a mom, I beat myself up daily for not being that perfect mom, the one who has it all together, plans ahead, is always cheerful and creating some fun family activity. As an employee I struggle to be accepted for my skills and strive to learn as much as I can and be the best at every goal, only to find myself very disappointed. I am the most perfect imperfect person.

Sometimes I want to throw in the towel and say forget it maybe if I am so imperfect no one will expect me to be perfect. But are people really wanting me to be perfect or am I trying to be everyone’s perfect? We take our own faults, down-falls, mistakes and idealism's of how we should and use them against ourselves to be perfect because we have created this image in our head that we need to be perfect. I am not sure where to start to un-perfect myself or my thoughts, but I am willing to try. Yes, I can try affirmations or reading daily devotionals but what I really need is to retrain my thoughts so that I am not trying to please with perfection yet please with my kindness, loyalty, loving heart, qualities and skills. I need to realize I am perfectly ME and it is OK if I am not everyone’s idea of perfect.

So be kind to yourself, realize no one is perfect and as humans we are designed to be amazingly imperfect. Do not expect others to be perfect even if they seem to have everything in place. They too suffer from trying to be perfect. Let’s embrace our imperfect qualities and celebrate who we are. So, go out there and leave your perfect manual at home, love from your heart, be true to yourself and always extend grace to someone you meet who is also battling with being perfect.