Defying Perfection

The other day, my friend Rachel shared on her facebook account a post from a blog about perfectionism. I would highly recommend you read it. It's not only moving, but so true and makes you stop to think about the pressures we not only put on ourselves to be that perfect mom, friend, son, father, employee, daughter, aunt, citizen but also the pressure we might be unknowingly be putting on those we love.

We ended up talking about this post at our Tuesday night book club meeting and a few people said how they are not going to be using the work perfect anymore when describing expectations or people.

It kind of got me thinking about my own expectations for the girls, for Evan, for myself. It takes a lot to not only recognize that you can, in fact, never be perfect at any one thing but that you should stop striving for it and expecting it from others.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try your best, because you should. I'm just saying that unrealistic expectations are not healthy for anyone.

So, today, when I was reading one of my favorite blogs--Trains, Tutus and Tea Time--by the lovely Corrine and her post was about protesting perfection, I knew the fates were telling me something. I went to the original post about protesting perfection by Dr. Brene Brown and found a truly inspiring post about rebelling against perfect standards. Please check out her site, not only for the beautiful background (seriously, I love it) but for her moving words. After reading Corrine and Dr. Brown's posts, I knew what I wanted to discuss today.

Yesterday, I got my nose pierced.

I know, I'm excited. My darling friends Rachel and Kim went with me to hold my hand and corral my child while I got it done.

Kim, being a genius, took my camera and documented my experience because, as she said, "You know you're going to blog about this." She knows me so well.
The place I went to smelled like a hospital (aka: disinfectant), which was a good thing. It was immaculate inside and the room where I got the piercing could have been any doctor's examination room.
I was kind of nervous, due to my fear of needles.



I must tell you, though, it did not hurt very much at all. More like a pinch that made my eyes water. Nothing lingering.
Why am I talking about my nose piercing when I was just talking about perfection?

Well...because I knew some people would see it as a very stupid thing do. A very un-perfect decision. Were I striving to be perfect, I would have never gone through with it.

I happen to love my nose ring.

I'm giving up on perfection. I'm going to try working on happiness and being grateful.