In my last post I talked about letting go of perfection and how hard it can be. For most of us that struggle with this, it is not something we just decided to try for a season. The idea of perfection is something that has been ingrained in us, probably starting at a young age. Therefore, it makes it that much harder to let go and change our ways!
Today I want to share with you a few ways, that might help you, in taking the steps you need to let go of perfection.
The first thing I did was make a declaration. When we struggle with something, we need to capture it, confess it, and replace it with the truth....
I recognize my need for perfection in certain areas of my life. I confess that it is wrong and that I need to change. It's robbing me of joy and many other precious moments in my life, and in the end I am never satisfied. I believe the truth, that it is ok to not get everything done on my to-do list. It is ok if something doesn't turn out exactly as I planned. It's ok to let things go for the sake of being present with the ones I love. There is always tomorrow. I realize that this is something that I will have to work at everyday, but through His strength, I know that it is possible.
I try to go through and read this at least once a week to help remind myself of these truths.
The second thing, that I think is very important, is to start your day off in prayer and in the Word. This really helps me a lot. I usually pick a daily devotional to do and then I try to concentrate on a scripture verse from that days message. Another thing you can do, if you aren't a very spiritual person, is spend the first 5 minutes of the day alone, quieting your thoughts, maybe with a cup of coffee or tea. I like to sit outside, when it's nice, listen to the sounds and take in the beauty around me.
Another thing that really helps me is something that I only recently started to do. When I plan out my week or day, I try to only put 3 or 4 things, at the most, on my to-do list. I am trying to think more realistically. I always overwhelm myself by putting way too many things on my list and then when I don't get them all done, I am frustrated and disappointed with myself. I like to think of what I can really get done in one day while still leaving time for my family and doing things with them.
Finally, the last thing and the hardest, but I know that it helps.....
Take a break from all social media!! No Instagram, no Facebook, no Twitter or Pinterest. Half of the reason we reach for perfection, is because of what we see out there on social media. Then we start comparing our lives and what we do to others. So much of what is portrayed on the internet isn't real life. What we read and see is,
I can do everything, be everywhere, have the best behaved kids, keep my house perfectly clean and styled, make the perfect home cooked meals, looking fabulous while doing it, and never make mistakes.
Whew!! That's a lot. I don't know about you, but this is far from what my actual life is even though I get caught up trying to act like it is. Friends, it's not real, and perfection is not attainable. Plus, we don't know what is going on behind the scenes for those that we think have perfect lives.
While reading, Present Over Perfect, I came to the chapter where Shauna talks about legacy, the end of life, and regret. This is her response,
"I don't want to miss the actual fabric of the interior of my life and the beautiful children growing up right this second in my own home, because I'm working to please people somewhere out there."
She hit the nail on the head with that one. I was thinking it and she wrote it. The legacy I want to leave behind is not one that is marked with striving for perfection or people pleasing. I want it to be about serving my family and friends out of love for Christ, being present in every moment, and for having the courage to start over and not give up when things aren't perfect.
How about you?
Many Blessings,
