The Thoughts Of Someone Who Once Tried To Strive For Perfection | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Thoughts Of Someone Who Once Tried To Strive For Perfection

I started living my life when I stopped being perfect.

15
The Thoughts Of Someone Who Once Tried To Strive For Perfection

Growing up, I have always been hard on myself. I wanted to work at my best ability in everything that I did, whether it was in school or my hobbies. I created an imaginary competition in my mind. It wasn't a competition with other people, but more of a competition with time and the progress I would make. I started finding myself wanting to strive for perfection. As I grew older and saw the idea of "perfection" surrounding everyone, I started to make it my goal to be as perfect as I could with school, hobbies, relationships, and life.

Striving for perfection started to adapt in my work ethic and academics. I wanted to be my best at everything that I did, not because I wanted to be the best in my class, but because I didn't want to give 50% of everything that I was doing. At that time, I felt like it's either I don't do it or I give it my all. Being the naive person that I was, giving my all meant being perfect. With the constant pressure from the people around me, including reminders that I had to be do my best to get somewhere in life, I told myself that it was unacceptable if I wasn't the best.

This shaped me to be the person that I am today, but it also opened my eyes. I realized that being or even striving to be "perfect" had its pros and cons. Yes, I was productive and efficient with my time. I gave the extra effort on top of my 100% on everything that I did, even on the things I didn't feel the need to because I wasn't interested. However, I still did it because I told myself I wasn't doing what I needed to do if I didn't give it my all. This took a toll on my health, physically and emotionally. I was so focused on being "perfect" that I didn't let myself breathe for being who I am naturally.

I may have succeeded in some aspects in life, but I failed taking care of myself. Now how "perfect" can I be without being in good health? It started to drain me out mentally. I found myself that I would crack under pressure more easily than usual. I found myself being too disappointed in myself when I would make mistakes. I found myself comparing what I do with other people who I viewed as "perfect." I started to lose a sense of myself. It started from being hard on myself, being the best that I could be for myself, to striving to being perfect and being someone that I wasn't.

Today, I am someone who realized that me trying my best is not striving for perfection, or coming close to it. It is about me accepting who I am as a person, what I am capable of doing, and performing it at MY best ability. It is not a scale compared to other people who I think are "perfect." It is a scale of myself. And ever since I have accepted this, I've come to peace with my mind. I've stopped with the never-ending battles in my mind of not being good enough. I've stopped getting the stomach pains whenever I would not see me performing at a perfectionist level. I've stopped losing myself to the idea of perfection, and I've began to love myself for who I am. I've accepted that I am who I am for a reason. I am my own kind of person. I am the person that creates the "perfect" level of myself, and to me, that is me working on aspects of my life while continuing to be happy with myself and who I am.

Perfectionism has a positive and a negative side. Like everything in life, there's always a good and bad. Too much of a good thing can be bad. In my eyes, I think the idea of being "perfect" is toxic to me, and I cannot be happier that I've stopped having doubts and concerns over mistakes and feeling pressured to be perfect.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

15118
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

6556
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4851
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

4267
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments