This month is a busy one in our family. July 6th was our daughter’s birthday. She turned 3. Today is our wedding anniversary. It’s been 8 years. Time flies! There’s something to be said for marriage and kids that changes you. For the better. Both hold up a mirror and show you the beauty + flaws of who you are. It’s not always easy to look at. We have choices though. We can see the good stuff and celebrate it and see the flaws and know what could use some work.
One big thing I’ve learned is my need to be a perfectionist has slowly packed it’s bags and walked out the door. I tend to like things “just so”. Whether it’s personal or professional. I like things to be put together.
My kids are helping me get over that whether I want to or not. I don’t strive for them looking perfect in every picture or play date. They are kids. I want them to look like kids not little moving mannequins. I can try to make their meals all pretty but they just want to eat. My kids have taught me more and more that it’s really about the goal. What’s the goal of what you’re trying to do? Do what you have to do to get there. If you have time to make it pretty along the way – great. If not, be good with just getting stuff done. They are killing my perfectionism! Here are 5 reasons I’m totally OK with that.
1 – Honestly, sometimes perfectionism is just a pretty way to say procrastination. It’s easy to say things “aren’t quite right” so you can’t move forward. Are things ever perfect, though? Life has its perfect moments but for the most part we need to just move forward with what we have and see what happens.
2 – I’m happy to be shedding the perfectionist side of me. It’s too much pressure…no one and nothing is perfect! Once you accept that, it’s a whole new game.
3 – I was researching thoughts about procrastination and came across this phrase “stagnation of growth” Ouch! It’s true though. Trying to be perfect can leave you stuck! Instead of being done with one thing, growing from it, adding to it or moving on… you stay stuck trying to make it “just right”.
[ctt title=”Have no fear of perfection. You’ll never reach it. – Salvador Dali” tweet=”Is perfectionism really just a pretty word for procrastination? @CameshaGosha http://ctt.ec/20s16+” coverup=”20s16″]
4 – The perfectionist plague can mean that you’re just not as productive as you could be. Tweaking the same thing over and over kinda gets in the way of other things.
5 – When it comes to the being perfect, It really can just be more work – that’s not even needed.
Sure there are upsides (to being a perfectionist) like attention to detail. But for me the downsides stand out.
What do you think? Are perfectionism and procrastination related?
45 Comments on They Are Killing My Perfectionism
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You know… Perfectionism is one of those things that sounds like it would be a help in a person’s life, but it never is. You can never be perfect, and perfectionism will paralyze you.
Melissa Pezza recently posted…Find a Dentist Who Fits Your Life with Denteractive and a $25 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!
Parenthood has a way of making us humble. I’m so OK with that. It keeps us grounded, too. Now that my kids have grown a left my nest, I am left with a more open mind and a less stressful outlook on life — I let things slide off my back more easily. 🙂
Suzette recently posted…Conan O’Brien Hijacks Comic-Con 2015
I published a post similar to this earlier today! So glad many are coming to realize that we don’t have to be perfect (or as I stated in my post—Super Heroes, bc let’s face it…Super Heroes aren’t real!) Great post! 🙂
Mandee recently posted…Are You Trying to Be a Super Hero?
Perfectionism has never been in my vocabulary. It’s all about the kinks and bumps that make life beautiful.
I am OCD, very OCD and you’d be surprised that I wasn’t this way until having kids. Its strange but I have a crazy sense to clean clean clean. And nothing is ever neat and tidy enough and I’m always comparing my home to another person’s home believe I am inadequate because I just can’t keep it together with little ones running around. I’ve had to give myself lots of reality checks, but still I get the feeling I’m just not good enough.
Heather recently posted…Fixing Cosmetic Damage To Wood
I laughed at this because I always pictured these perfect little kids I would have someday and mine are anything BUT perfect 🙂
Perfectionism! Ha! That is a dirty word for me, I can barely get things correct and up on the blog. And without great camera, well, pictures from the phone have to work!
Mitch recently posted…Wordless Wednesday – @CocaCola Knows Us! w/Linky! #ShareaCoke
Kids definitely killed my perfectionism. I definitely used to use perfectionism as a way to procrastinate.
I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my blog, but can be the biggest procrastinator around. I hate when the perfectionist and procrastinator in me duke it out though… I get so stressed.
Perfection is something I learned that I wouldn’t achieve. It’s just not possible. Things are just perfect for me and that’s all that matters is that I am satisfied. I also procrastinate alot. So I guess they could be related.
Nickida recently posted…Marvel Ant-Man Interview with T.I., Michael Peña, and David Dastmalchian #AntManEvent
I had to tweet that Salvador Dali quote. So true and it serves as the perfect (pardon the pun) reminder that perfectionism is not always possible and that’s okay!
Erica recently posted…Weber BBQ Sauces Have That Yummy “Sticks to My Food” Consistency #Review #Sponsored
I cannot be a perfectionist, I would be so uptight and angry feeling all of the time. I do enjoy what kids bring – unexpected memories and moments. Eventually those moments will be but memories as they go on to make their own adult lives. I certainly am not a procrastinator (usually) but not a perfectionist either – maybe down the middle.
Brandy recently posted…Killington Mtn Resort Adventure Center Giveaway Winner Announced
I can definitely see how perfectionism and procrastination could be related. I think sometimes I want to make certain changes on the website to make it perfect but they may not matter to readers.
Liz Mays recently posted…Eating Out on a Budget!
Honestly the details have become so much less important since I had my little one.
The Conservative Mommy recently posted…Addressing Baby Anxieties
Sometimes I can let go of perfectionism. Good enough can be enough.
Shell recently posted…Pour Your Heart Out: Friends
I am somewhat of a perfectionist. LOL, but sometimes you just have to let it go!
Cinny recently posted…Your #Entertainment update – #AntMan #StarWars #TheForceAwakens #TheFinestHours
Owning a design business I have never ever seen so many people who require perfection. Its boggles my mind I am not a perfectionist I jump off the cliff and build on the way down.
Kita recently posted…Welcome to Gatlingburg TN Part 2
I never thought of perfectionism as a form of procrastination! Girl, I need to monitor that for real! I have OCD (as I call it), LOL!
LaQuisha recently posted…5 Curves That Bring Confidence
I am a perfectionist right now and I don’t have kids yet. I always wonder how I will be when I have kids and have to let that perfectionism go, thanks for this awesome post.
I think perfectionism and procrastination are polar opposites. Some people strive to be perfect, making it the blinding force of their life – and they’re proud of it. Procrastinators tend to have little ambition and focus more on finding reasons for avoiding certain situations. It sounds like you’re balancing things very well, and getting more adept at it. As an individual, that makes you perfect in a wonderful way.
Congrats on 8 years and happy belated to your daughter. Sometimes being perfect is too much stress. Nothing is perfect you can only get close to it. I am all about doing the best I can.
Holly recently posted…Great Facials with Freeman Products
“Perfection is just a pretty way of saying procrastination” – wow, yeah. That is definitely something to remember. It’s really easy to get caught up in being perfect.
I get an idea in my head and try a zillion times to get it perfect. It eats away at my time and then I end up disappointed I didn’t get more done! Time to rid myself of that perfection goal.
Crystal recently posted…Kidde RemoteLync Monitor
I would hold off taking genuine pics of my kids because I wanted that perfect smile. So i think perfectionism and procrastination are definitely related
Christie recently posted…Homemade Citrus Sugar Scrub DIY
I love this! I can completley relate. My perfectionism is dead, and I’m quite alright with that.
Marina John recently posted…Tommee Tippee Glass Feeding Bottles {+ Giveaway}
I have a few things that I would agree because I want it perfect I haven’t done them yet.
Beth@FrugalFroggie recently posted…#PrimeSavings Giveaway
Interesting Post. Our children teach us so much…
Sigh… I know the struggle all to well. I can relate and I struggle with it.
Raijean recently posted…Lets Talk Waist Trainers
I don’t have kids, but the perfectionism comparison to procrastination is so true! I’m always trying to make excuses as to why I haven’t done something because x,y and z aren’t in order yet. Sometimes you have to be fearless and just do it like many kids usually do.
JoAnna recently posted…Summer Beauty Favorites
How many times can I love this article. Perfectionism is so overrated. I am glad I am learning to let it go. Now that first line “perfectionism is a form of procrastination” say it again times 1000! OMG. I am so guilty of this. You read me right there.
MJ recently posted…DIY Baby Birth Shadow Box
Haha! I only write about what I know. 😉
YES! I’ve written a few blog posts about it and I speak of it often to my husband. Perfectionism and procrastination are totally related…at least for me they are!
Ashley – Embracing Homemaking recently posted…30+ Wholesome Kid Snack Ideas
Very interesting article. I have noticed many of the same things.
Christi from sexymoxiemama.com recently posted…Mixcups: Monthly Coffee Subscription Review
I completely agree, love. I’m always like I need to make my magazine look perfect before I can do this or that or have x amount of followers before that..but I just realized, I just need to do it and stop worrying about the little things that will never be perfect.
I love this post…Very informational!
– Khloe.
Thanks, Khloe! You magazine is fab by the way. Keep up the good work!
I use to have a severe case of perfectionism when I was younger. But I think with age, I grew out of it. Now mind you, I still like some things to be perfectly done and right. A person just can’t shed all her skin you know.
haha! I know. 😉
I love the quote. I need to remind myself of that daily!
Crystal recently posted…Trisha’s Table Review
Omg! I’m going threw this very same thing! Just look at my pics… I’m a perfectionist to the extreme! Ever since my daughter was born, well some of that perfectionism is slipping away and ITS OK! I’m learning to embrace what is & enjoying life 😉
Exactly!
Hey #BLM sister! Thought I’d show you some love and yessss to everything you mentioned in this post. I used to be such a perfectionist (and still am in some ways) but man, us mothers…we just don’t have the time and energy to worry about it 24/7, ya know? LOVE this post! Keep up the fabulous work.
Brittany recently posted…20 Ice Cream Recipes for National Ice Cream Day. Dairy-Free Kids Invited!
Thank you so much, love! Appreciate you stopping by!
I love this! Attempting to be perfect can be exhausting, it’s ok to ask for help. I’ve learned that the hard way.
lashonda recently posted…Raise A Hand for Teachers
Nothing is ever perfect and I think that is what’s really perfect — the imperfection of it all.
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I only have one kid, but I can’t make our house entirely clean and organize and we’re okay with that. My priority is to provide healthy dishes, teach my son after school and earn extra online. The dishes can wait 🙂
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