WHEN PERFECTIONISM HOLDS YOU BACK
Throwback to taking an actual day off last year to do something that brings me joy!
Finding my purpose and starting my business as an Intuitive Life Coach has been magickal. But while reflecting on the past year, I realised how much I've been wrapped in a pretty much constant state of perfectionism for a good while now.
I love what I do so much that last year it completely took over and I didn't make anywhere near enough time to do the other things that bring me joy, like being in nature and hanging out with those who mean a lot to me.
I wanted so badly to do everything *right* and make sure it was perfect, that I made time for little else. And I agonised over the small details of the business - like having the perfect Instagram grid! Text, photo, text, reel, text, video. And I get lovely feedback on how it looks, so I was afraid to change it. It doesn’t stop there though….The perfect blog post, the perfect newsletter, the perfect videos to post, being the perfect coach….. The cycle of outside validation is real!
I recently began to feel trapped by it and realised how much I've been using perfectionism in general as a protective mechanism. I mean, how ridiculous is that?! This is supposed to be fun!
But where does perfectionism come from?
Basically, it’s down to the fear of being judged by others. Something I thought I was pretty close to conquering….but we’re all human and as much as we work on our challenges, they do have a way of sneaking back in when we least expect it. Subconsciously, I placed my value on how perfect I could be, and nothing else would do. Just getting ‘close to’ perfect wasn’t good enough. But, for who?
Who do you think of when you feel the fear of being judged?
Family, friends, colleagues? I can guarantee you they are so busy thinking about themselves that they aren’t giving a second thought to what you’re up to (see this post for more how to stop caring what others think).
So, no more. 'Done is better than perfect' - and I'm committing to losing the perfectionism and bringing more joy to my every day. Finding the joy in creating content again, instead of overthinking every tiny thing I post. Finding more joy everywhere, and forgetting what I 'should' be doing.
Joy is my word of the year, and every day I will be asking myself 'what can I do to bring more joy to today?'
Tell me what your word of the year is! I'd love to know!
