There are so many different people in the world that a single definition of “perfection” simply couldn’t exist. It’s impossible to deem one type of person as “perfect” because we all share so many desirable qualities, no matter how we look or what we do. So why do we continue to strive for perfection? Why, in this day and age, do I scroll through social media wishing I could be as pretty as one girl, as intelligent as another, or as talented as the third?

Surely, like most of us, I’ve struggled with “perfection” from a young age. My parents were always rather strict, especially when it came to grades. I felt as though without high achievement in school I wouldn’t be the “perfect” daughter they wanted. Of course this wasn’t true, but sometimes it felt that way. Sometimes it still feels that way. Somewhere along the line I was conditioned to hope for those “perfect” grades, even when I didn’t give my school-work my all. Now that I’m in college, I realize how horrible it is that I settle for nothing less than good grades. I strive for “perfection” even though I know that may not exist.

As a young adult, I realize I have always been a perfectionist, even when it came to situations other than my grades. Being that I have a love for art and music, I find myself straying away from playing the keyboard or painting a canvas because I get so frustrated when things don’t come out perfectly. It’s like I could sing a song, and it be my best version yet, but if it wasn’t sung the way I wanted it exactly in my head, I’d sing it over and over again. If I just took a moment to realize that I’m doing what I love, it wouldn’t matter if I hit the highest note or skipped a beat.

For all of us, this is how we strive for “perfection”. We compensate for our lack of confidence, or desire to be rewarded, by striving to be something we cannot be because “perfection” is a myth. Some of us wish we could look different, feel different, and become better at different things. Once we decide we reached all of those goals then we’d be “perfect”. However, those goals are typically based off of someone else. Truthfully, “perfection” should only be tailored to each individual. If we work hard doing what we love, and reaching limits further than before, than we are our own “perfect”. It doesn’t matter if one girl is prettier, more intelligent, or more talented. We are not limited because of the way other people see us, or the way we see other people. We cannot be or compare ourselves to others, but we can be the best version of us. That’s what perfection should be.