Perfection: Why Being Real Beats Being Perfect

⏱ 7 min read

Perfection have always fascinated me the way we chase them, shape our lives around them, and sometimes even lose ourselves trying to live up to them.

Have you ever felt like everything you do has to look or sound just right?
Because I’ve lived like that for years.

Honestly, I’ve always loved being perfect. Or at least, I thought I did. For most of my life, perfections were my armor they made me feel protected, admired, even safe. But slowly, I realized they were also my walls. They kept me from being honest, from being messy, from being real.

Over time, I learned that my obsession with being perfect wasn’t really about excellence it was about fear. Fear of being misunderstood. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of hearing, “You could’ve done better.”

And maybe that’s what perfectionism truly is a quiet kind of fear that looks like control.

What Is Perfection?

Before we go deeper, let’s pause and really define it.
Perfection isn’t just about straight lines or spotless execution it’s a mindset.

It’s that invisible pressure whispering, “Do better, look better, be better.”
It’s believing that if you can fix every flaw, you’ll finally feel secure, accepted, or loved.

But here’s the catch: perfection doesn’t exist in real life only in comparison.
We see curated pictures, edited words, polished results, and think that’s perfection.
But in truth, it’s just someone else’s highlight reel.

Perfection isn’t a destination. It’s a mirror reflecting our deepest need for approval and belonging.

And once I understood that, perfections stopped feeling like goals and started feeling like gentle reminders to stay real.

Explore: Benefits of Slowing Down

Growth Mindset vs Being Perfect

The Hidden Weight of “Perfection”

Perfections the plural form of perfection sound positive, right? Like something we should all strive for.
But when you unpack it, perfections often hide a layer of fear: fear of failure, of judgment, of being “less than.”

For years, I thought having perfect grammar, the perfect outfit, or the perfect life plan made me strong. What it really did was make me tired constantly performing, constantly proving.

And if you’re someone who relates to that, I want you to pause for a second and ask yourself:

Are you being perfect to grow, or to protect yourself from getting hurt?

A Small Story: The Day I Dropped the Glass Jar

Yesterday, while opening the refrigerator, I dropped a glass jar.
It shattered all over the floor tiny pieces everywhere, like a hundred little reminders that I’m still not perfect.

My mom instantly said, “Can’t you take care of things properly?”
I nodded quietly and started cleaning, but she kept repeating it

Then I said something I didn’t even plan to:

“It’s nice if glass breaks something beautiful will happen.”

My dad, who had been watching from the dining table, smiled and replied,

“Yes, maybe we’ll get a big business soon.”

And somehow, that moment turned from a mess into magic.

We all laughed. The irritation disappeared.
It reminded me that not every broken thing is a loss. Sometimes, breaking is just another form of release a shift that clears space for something new.

The Realization: I’d Rather Be Real

Somewhere between self-help books and self-doubt, I realized something huge perfection wasn’t making me better; it was making me smaller.

I’d rather be real.

It’s okay if I don’t have the best vocabulary. I’ll learn.
It’s okay if my blog doesn’t sound like a professional author wrote it. It’s my voice raw, honest, evolving.
And it’s okay if I take time to get things right. Because progress is better than perfection.

What Helped Me Break Free from Perfections

Breaking the perfection habit isn’t about lowering your standards — it’s about shifting your mindset.
Here’s what worked for me (and might help you too):

1. Redefine “Perfect”

Instead of thinking “perfect = flawless,” start thinking “perfect = true to me.”
Because what’s perfect for someone else might not fit your story.

2. Celebrate Progress

Small wins count. Did you finally send that email you’d been overthinking? Celebrate it.
Learning to appreciate micro-progress builds confidence.

3. Be Kind to Yourself

Would you speak to your best friend the way you speak to yourself when you mess up?
If not change your tone. Be your own ally.

4. Allow Space for Mistakes

Every mistake carries a lesson. Sometimes, the most beautiful chapters start with “oops.”

5. Surround Yourself with Compassionate People

Find those who celebrate your realness, not your reputation.

Why Self-Worth Isn’t Measured by Perfection

Here’s a truth I wish I’d known sooner:
Self-worth doesn’t come from how perfect you are.
It comes from how kind, compassionate, and wholehearted you allow yourself to be.

There’s something magnetic about people who show up authentically no filters, no edits, no pretenses. You can feel their peace. They’re not trying to prove anything; they’re just living honestly.

And maybe that’s what we all need more of not perfect people, but real ones.

Discover: Self-Esteem vs. Confidence: What’s the Difference?

Lessons I’ve Learned About Perfections

Here’s what perfections have taught me the good, the bad, and the freeing:

• Striving for perfection can create structure, but too much of it creates fear.
• Vulnerability attracts connection; perfection attracts comparison.
• Confidence doesn’t come from being flawless it comes from being authentic.
• Letting go of perfection doesn’t mean being careless; it means being courageous enough to show up as yourself.

My Final Takeaway on Perfection

If you’ve been chasing perfections like I did, here’s what I hope you take away from my story:

You don’t have to be perfect to be proud of yourself.
You don’t have to know everything to deserve peace.
You just need to be kind, compassionate, and wholeheartedly yourself because being yourself is where real beauty begins.

And if you ever find yourself questioning your worth, promise me you’ll remember this:

Perfection isn’t the goal. Presence is.

So the next time you spill your coffee, miss a word, or feel “not enough,” smile.
Because you’re growing and that’s the most beautiful kind of perfect there is.

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