Relentlessly Pursuing Perfection
Growing up in a family of five, I remember the constant cleaning—the kitchen, the house, everything. Even as a young girl, I had this urge for order, wanting everything to be neat and in its place. But inevitably, the rest of the family would come in and mess it all up. That chaos used to make me so angry inside. Fast forward to adulthood—marriage, kids—and I still battle that same frustration. I wanted everything put away perfectly, with no room for anything out of place. My family knew me as the one relentlessly pursuing perfection, always wanting things flawless.
But despite all my efforts, I was constantly exhausted and worn thin. No matter how hard I tried, something went off-plan or fell out of order. It felt like I was running on empty, never quite good enough, always falling short. That same pressure followed me into my writing. If the house wasn’t clean, I couldn’t write. If the TV was on, I couldn’t write. If the atmosphere weren’t perfect, I’d make excuses. It took me a while to realize that perfection is an illusion. Life isn’t about perfection but embracing the journey, learning from our messes, and living by grace.
I Admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I am pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. Philippians 3:12 TPT
Living by grace means accepting our humanity and understanding that we will make mistakes. It means the house won’t always be spotless, and things won’t always be perfectly arranged. Grace is about being kind to ourselves and others and recognizing that achievements don’t define our worth. It’s finding joy in the small, imperfect moments and letting those experiences shape us.
A Wave of Relief
One day, while meditating, I was overcome by a wave of relief. I realized that in my pursuit of perfection, I had overlooked the beauty of the present moment. During a conversation, a friend proposed an exercise to help me overcome perfectionism. I had been so preoccupied with the outcome that I neglected to appreciate the journey. That day, I set myself a challenge: I wore mismatched shoes at home, one gold and one silver. Later, my husband noticed and laughed, asking, “Why are you wearing two different shoes?” Smiling, I replied, “I’m practicing embracing imperfection.”
Without thinking, I ran an errand later, still wearing those mismatched shoes. I didn’t notice until I was halfway through the store. I glanced down at my feet and laughed at myself. In that silly moment, I realized I had finally let go of perfection.
Joy In The Journey
Now, I choose to live by grace. I still work hard, but I no longer demand perfection from myself. I’ve learned to laugh at my mistakes and see them as opportunities for growth. I’ve found joy in the little things, and I cherish the moments spent with my family and in my writing. Living by grace has made my life more prosperous and more fulfilling. I’ve learned that true happiness doesn’t come from being perfect but from being present and embracing the grace that love offers daily.
I hope my story resonates with you. It’s a reminder that grace allows us to live more freely, joyfully, and without the heavy burden of perfection. How does this resonate with you?
