Why perfectionism makes my soul vomit

1. Perfect = kidding your self.

If I try to be a perfect person, I will stop being exactly who I am, the real me.

2. Perfect = hatin’.

Hating on yourself cause you are never good enough, being jealous of others that you perceive as having the ‘perfect life’ and even hating on those that do not meet your perfect expectations.

3. Perfect = dull.

Variety is the spice of our imperfectly, perfect lives! The staleness of a family masquerading perfection in their perfect home in their perfect neighbourhood… it’s just so cheesy, so lame. Where is the creativity?

4.  Perfect = impossible.

If I try to measure up agains perfect, I will always feel like I am failing.

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Sometimes though, we are lead to believe that we can achieve unrealistic ideals. Media and advertising make their money on trying to convince you that you can lose that 20kg in 4 weeks… Or that you should be married by the time you are 30… Or that every dad should be able to make 100k/a – and have time to get to the gym – and make it to the kids music recital…

It is hard to navigate through this invented world, but for the sake of my own happiness I am trying to structure my own perception of things, trying to stop the internal upchuck.

Embrace your odd socks, live a happier life and read more about owning your imperfections here.

A code for braveness

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Imagine floating on your back, you are looking up to the sky…

There are cloud puffs, warm sun is blanketing you, it makes you want to close your eyes.

Gentle waves beneath you, the ocean is supporting you.

Your eyes are closed and the water, it’s silencing.

Nothing can disturb this calm. Not your iPhone, not the fight you had about doing the dishes, not your unfulfilled dream to marry a Lumberjack.

In fact your phone, family commitments and self-doubt are all back on the beach. Even if they were calling off the hook, you wouldn’t be able to hear them.

You are blissfully floating and your ears are semi submerged in beautiful blue water.

The gentle waves are holding you up, they flowing and rhythmic. You can breathe in time with them.

Breathe in for 4 – 1, 2, 3, 4

Breathe out for 4 – 1, 2, 3, 4

You are still floating in the water and a bottle floats past, it has your name on it, and a letter inside. You open it up it says: this a code for braveness. Have the courage to ask what you need you will have access to anything you desire.

Breathe as the ocean flows. Think about where you want your courage to show up.

Breathe in the wave – 1, 2, 3, 4

Breathe out the wave  – 1, 2, 3, 4

Put that thought back in the bottle with the note, and let it float off. The tide rolls out and takes the bottle with it.

The tide also takes with it the need for a certain answer, beacause the answer you get may not perfect – but it will be correct.

The tide sweeps away the opinions of others, because they are of no use to you…. It isnt any of your business what other people think of you anyway.

It is a relief to get rid of all the mind junk that clutters your artistic vision. All that is left now is the real deal, the meaningful stuff… all that you value.

Breathe in – your ideas are luminous and bright.

Breathe out – you feelings and thoughts align and flow with who you are.

Open your eyes, the water is so clear.

Go ahead, dive right into the rest of your life

Words by Madeleine

Photo © Stephen Govel