The word perfectionist usually evokes images of excellence and attention to detail.
Portrayals of perfectionism in the media have convinced us that obsessing over details is a good thing and failing to do so means we don't care enough.
But a quest to do things perfectly can be discouraging and paralyzing,
Which is why it's important to remember that even perfectionism isn't perfect.
Sometimes the opposite is a healthier approach.
A perfection-driven mindset puts an extreme amount of pressure on us,
Often before we even start a task.
When our efforts fall short,
We take it out on ourselves.
We think if we work on something until it's perfect,
It will be good enough,
And if it isn't,
We just weren't enough of a perfectionist.
These thoughts can have a detrimental impact on our mind,
Which is why it's important to find a more balanced approach.
An excellent psychologist once wrote,
Everything worth doing is worth doing poorly.
And I'd like us to think about that for a moment.
Because one of the most impactful things we can do to beat perfectionism is to decide to do something badly on purpose.
By choosing a task that we usually care about doing well and not putting 100% effort into it,
We can learn a few valuable lessons.
Making a less than perfect meal or tidying up poorly isn't a life-changing disaster.
It doesn't make our loved ones love us any less,
And even when we don't do our best,
The end result is usually not awful.
And if it is,
We can at least try to find humour in it.
Even when you're trying to get better at something,
Remember that growth is all about trial and error,
And no one expects you to be a master from the start.
The important lesson here is that when something is done less than perfectly,
It's still done.
A finished task is better than being afraid to start something because it might turn out imperfect.
Another way to eradicate perfectionism is to try to start a new hobby,
Something perfectionists often avoid because of how uncomfortable they feel when they're not good at something.
Focusing on your experience of learning rather than your ability will feel unnatural at first,
But continuing to challenge yourself to relax into the inevitability of imperfection will allow you to improve your mental fitness in the long run.
