How to Be an Imperfectionist: Embracing the Beauty of Your Flaws

At some point in our lives, we have all felt the pressure to be perfect. Whether it is in our personal relationships, career, or even physical appearance, the pursuit of perfection can be exhausting and ultimately unattainable. But what if I told you that there’s a way to break free from the shackles of perfectionism and embrace the beauty of your flaws? Keep reading as I explain the concept of being an imperfectionist and provide actionable tips to help you let go of perfectionism and live a more fulfilling life!

First, Let’s Define What a Perfectionist Is.

This is someone who can’t stand anything less than absolute flawlessness in everything they do. They set sky-high standards for themselves and those around them, and won’t accept anything less. And when they don’t meet those standards, they’re hard on themselves and others, often with a sharp tongue and a critical eye.

Now, don’t get me wrong, striving for excellence is great and all, but perfectionists take it to a whole new level. They’ll spend hours obsessing over every detail and may even put off tasks entirely if they can’t achieve that perfect result. And when they do finally complete something, it’s never good enough. They’ll beat themselves up over every tiny mistake and may even feel ashamed when they fall short of their own expectations.

Let’s face it, perfectionism can be a real pain in the you-know-what. It can lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and can even damage relationships.

Here are some examples of how perfectionism can impact a person’s everyday life:

• Spending an excessive amount of time cleaning their home, obsessing over every detail and feeling like they can never get it clean enough. This causes them to feel anxious and stressed, and may even interfere with their ability to enjoy time with family and friends.
• Always being late to appointments because they spend too much time getting ready, trying to look perfect. This causes them to miss out on important opportunities and may even damage their relationships with others.
• Constantly checking and re-checking their work, afraid to make a mistake. This causes them to feel stressed and anxious, and may even lead to procrastination or avoidance of tasks altogether.
• Constantly dieting and exercising, trying to achieve the perfect body. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as restrictive eating, excessive exercise, and poor body image.
• Being overly critical of themselves, never feeling satisfied with their achievements or progress. This can lead to them experiencing a sense of insufficiency and a lack of confidence in themselves.
• Expecting their team to always perform flawlessly and meet unrealistic deadlines. This leads to high turnover rates, as employees feel overworked and underappreciated.
• Constantly criticizing their significant other for minor flaws and not living up to society’s ideas of beauty standards, leading to feelings of inadequacy and a breakdown in communication.
• A business owner who spends an excessive amount of time perfecting every aspect of their product, causing them to miss out on potential opportunities and unable to keep up with changes in the marketplace.

Now, Back to Imperfectionism

Imperfectionism is a mindset that celebrates imperfections and embraces them as an essential part of the human experience. It is a way of looking at ourselves and the world around us with a kinder, more forgiving lens. Instead of striving for perfection, imperfectionists accept their flaws and see them as unique characteristics that make them who they are.

The Benefits of Imperfectionism

While perfectionism can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and burnout, embracing imperfectionism can have several positive effects on our mental health and overall well-being. Here are some of the benefits of being an imperfectionist:

1. Reduces stress and anxiety: When we stop striving for perfection, we can reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with it. Accepting our flaws and imperfections can help us feel more relaxed and at ease.
2. Boosts creativity: Imperfectionism encourages us to think outside the box and embrace new ideas. When we are not tied down by the need to be perfect, we can be more creative and innovative in our thinking.
3. Fosters self-acceptance: By embracing our flaws and imperfections, we can learn to accept ourselves for who we are. This can lead to increased self-confidence and a healthier self-perception.
4. Improves relationships: When we let go of our perfectionist tendencies, we can be more compassionate and forgiving towards others, which, of course, leads to more connected, more fulfilling, and stronger relationships with the people around you.

How to Be an Imperfectionist

Now that we understand the benefits of imperfectionism, let’s explore some actionable tips to help you become an imperfectionist.

1. Practice self-compassion: One of the key principles of imperfectionism is self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and forgiveness, just as you would a friend.
2. Get comfy with failure: Failure is a natural part of the learning process. It’s the other side of the coin to Success. I like to say that there is no failure for real, only lessons to be learned.
3. Set realistic expectations: Instead of setting unrealistic expectations for yourself, set goals that are challenging yet achievable. This can help you avoid the stress and anxiety that comes with perfectionism.
4. Focus on progress, not perfection: Rather than striving for perfection, focus on making progress towards your goals. Celebrate your small wins and recognize that growth takes time.
5. Practice gratitude: Imperfectionism is about embracing the beauty of our flaws and being grateful for what we have. Take time each day to practice gratitude and appreciate the good things in your life.

Being an imperfectionist is not about settling for mediocrity or giving up on our goals. It is about embracing the beauty of our flaws and recognizing that they make us who we are. By letting go of our perfectionist tendencies, we can reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity, and foster self-acceptance. So, take a deep breath, let go of the need to be perfect, and embrace the beauty of imperfectionism.

People who embrace imperfection are okay with not having “made it” yet or not having “arrived.” In fact, imperfectionists are more likely to be successful in the long run because “arriving” is never the goal, constant improvement is.

Perfectionism is a treadmill that leads to nowhere. Get off it by embracing imperfection!

Over to you…

Imperfectionists are those that look more at whether things are trending up and to the right overall than where they are right now. Life is messy and will never be “perfect,” and that’s okay. How have you learned to embrace imperfection and enjoy the ride?