I’m a recovering perfectionist.
I’m also convinced that perfectionism is a curse!
For years, I let perfectionist tendencies prevent me from enjoying lots of good things. I was always hesitant to have guests in my home because it was cluttered, or I didn’t have the furnishings I wanted, or I didn’t have time to prepare the perfect meal. Perfectionism also prevented me from starting projects when I feared I might fail (see yesterday’s post featuring an unfinished oil painting!https://sondralynathome.com/2013/06/05/my-summer-mantlescape/).
Fear of failure is a huge roadblock to perfectionists. ‘If you never start, you’re not likely to fail’, we reason. Honestly, I still get butterflies when I start a client’s design job or any new project. I KNOW… it just doesn’t make sense.
Thankfully, I’m beginning to learn…
- That only one Person ever lived a perfect life and I won’t be the second.
- That I am my own worst critic and I need to ‘lighten-up’ and extend a little grace to myself.
- And, above all, I’ve learned that this life is so very short… our days are numbered… and there really isn’t time to allow fear or guilt to prevent this reformed perfectionist from becoming who she’s intended to be!
So, today… start a new project, try a new recipe, get your hands dirty in the garden, start a new blog (that’s MY newest undertaking)! The main thing is to start. Now. Today!
Let me know what new thing you’re starting!
Enjoy this day!
-Sondra Lyn
Leave a Reply