“Mom, I‘m done with my room; does it have to be perfect?” These are the words coming from my nine-year-old daughter as she cleans her room. I suddenly realize that I have affirmed her with the word perfect when completing a task “I” felt was how it should be done. What am I saying to her? Does she have to be perfect before I think she has done a good job? If her grade improved from an 80 in math to 90, is that good or will she feel it needs to be a 100 to be accepted? Increasing her grade by ten points is progress that needs to be celebrated and is a big accomplishment. I now speak to her differently because I want her to celebrate progress not perfection; something I have learned in my own life.
Perfect is such a common word used by women today and there seems to be a need to achieve it. Then, when perfection is not acccomplished, feelings of failure, guilt, and insecurity can happen.
This year instead of setting unrealistic expectations, let us all focus on where and how we can grow instead of striving for perfection. Celebrating progress builds confidence with a life of wellness and balance.
Over the next few weeks, I want to get real and discuss the areas of life, we as women, can put undue pressures on our selves such as our health and fitness, spiritual life, career and as a wife and mother. Let’s talk about how we can grow and be better, not perfect.
I want my daughter to grow up feeling proud of her successes and good about her accomplishments. I want her to have a mother who spends time and celebrates with her instead of working hard to have everything just perfect.
In Good Health,
Crystal
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About Crystal Breaux
Thanks, Crystal, for sharing. I try to do this as a grandparent. Sometimes I too need to be reminded in my own life to look for progress not perfection.
Yes Clella. I have to remind myself too and why I am so passionate to share. It’s preaching for me. Lol.
oh.boy. (maybe “oh.girl.”) we DO communicate these things—sometimes without ANY words—to the little ones around us. thank you, crystal, for the putting this out before us! <3
Crystal, what with TV ads for makeup, diets, etc. women do not realize most of these adds feature models. Plus the fact that lots of the pictures have been airbrushed as well. We as women tend to compare ourselves to these standards. Wow! What pressure to be under. So happy you are addressing this issue not only for women but for our girls.
Carolyn, yes you are so right. There is so much pressure to be perfect in so many different ways at a younger and younger age. We have to stay grounded in who we are.