Perfectionism is a Slow Death

Man I love this sign outside my son’s childcare...

I’ve spent WAY too much of my life working REALLY hard at staying INSIDE the lines.

My high school guidance counselor once said to me, “Perfectionism is a slow death, Erin.” At the time I thought it was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. I mean - who doesn’t want to be perfect?!?

More than twenty five years later, I’m examining my counselor’s observation through a much different lens and reaching a much different conclusion.

I think she was right. In fact, I know she was. 

The pursuit of “perfection” really could have killed me at one point in my life, as I binged and purged myself down to a frighteningly tiny size. At other times it turned me into a workaholic who wasn’t very fun to work with. Oftentimes it’s made me feel panicked when I’ve made a mistake or failed at something. 

I still pride myself on doing my best and setting the bar high, but now I place a lot more value on being real - not perfect. 

I don’t want to die that slow death. I plan to do more coloring outside the lines, enjoying every messy minute.