Perfection Monster
Chasing perfection.
I’ve had this phrase running through my head for about a year now. But the past 2 months, it’s gotten intense.
What am I talking about?
Perfection.
It’s the thing that holds me back…because if I don’t get it “perfect” I’m not going to do it.
I don’t publish blog posts…because they aren’t perfect.
I don’t share my songs…because they aren’t perfect.
I don’t upload my photos…because they aren’t perfect.
I don’t publish my websites…because they aren’t perfect.
(Notice a trend here…the list could go on and on)
I have a mindset that it must be perfect or it’s not worth doing. You must be the best or don’t even try. Go big or go home (but if you go big, you must be perfect).
Chasing perfection is like living in my own personal prison. I won’t let myself out to experience the freedom and joy that others talk about because I’m scared of the unknown. I have ideas all the time, but 99% never come to fruition, because I can’t do it perfectly. Talk about a creativity killer.
Over the last month, I’ve had great conversations with friends and family that have encouraged me to just go for it. To not care so much. To chill out. To know that I’m not the only one. To open up and share about this and maybe…just maybe…I can help someone else struggling with the same thing.
So, having said that, I’m going to start changing some things up. I’ve already changed the look of the blog, it’s going to be a learning process. I have a wide variety of interests, so the blog posts may seem random and off the wall. Please be patient with me, I’m gonna try to find my groove.
What about you? Have you ever held back because you were chasing perfection?
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In my opinion the best way to gauge one’s performance is to examine our errors after we have done what we set out to do. My best example of this is dancing as a teenager. I felt too awkward to dance in high school until I realized everyone else was dancing awkwardly also…after that realization I just dance started dancing and it felts great.
Now when I dance it actually doesn’t look awkward. 
Now quit hoarding all of those pictures and share!
Also if you share your music I’m sure you could get some constructive comments. 
Cheers,
L
the one thing we all have going for us is that we’re all perfect at not being perfect. take refuge in that. there’s a whole lot of freedom in that. where our perfection ends (which is pretty early on) His perfection takes over. that is how it is supposed to be. He wants us to be utterly and completely reliant on Him and trust that when He puts something on our hearts — do it. fear is not of Him. timidity is not of Him. power is of Him and His is made perfect in our weaknesses. chin up. step out. life is waiting.
I’m so proud of you girl! I’m glad to hear that you’re jumping in and going for it. Nothing is ever perfect in life; life is a continual growing process. For me the best thing about blogging and photography is sharing my creative ideas. Are they perfect? Nope.
But I know if I don’t share, then I’ll never improve.
Love the new tag line!
So what I want to know is: When are you going to start posting your photos on flickr? And what about those beautiful songs?
Loganenator – Thanks for sharing your story. You’re right, we can gauge our performance based on errors and I need to be ok with that. And yes, I do need to quit hoarding the pics.
I’ll get on that.
Crystal – I like that…”the one thing we all have going for us is that we’re all perfect at not being perfect.” Thanks for the encouragement. I need to make sure my faith is placed in the right place. Also love this “chin up. step out. life is waiting.” Thanks and…you rock!
RowdyKittens – Thanks for all the encouragement that you’ve given me! You have been instrumental in my resolve to “go for it.” Thanks for putting your writing and photography out there, and for being patient with me as I get there.
Ahh…you noticed the tag line? You and Logan inspired me with that too! I was so overwhelmed by your generosity when I was up there, that I decided to do some more changing. So yes, this is my story about learning to simply live and give. Thanks for showing me!