“Good enough is the new perfect.” -Becky Beaupre Gillespie
Sometimes we hone in on everything we think we’re lacking or doing wrong, and wonder what we need to fix or change to measure up. Then we judge ourselves at each step of the way, questioning whether or not we’re doing everything we should.
This has been true for me, and sometimes it still is.
Whenever I feel stressed out, it’s usually because I’m worrying about something I did or have to do, convincing myself I could have done better or I won’t do enough.
It’s a mental soundtrack I know all too well: You could have done more. You should have done more. You need to do more. You need to be more.
Other people may occasionally make us feel like we’re somehow falling short, but more often than not when we feel anxious, we’re suffocating under the weight or our own perfectionist expectations and fears.
It’s exhausting, and sometimes paralyzing, but we have the power to change it.
We have the power to stop, take a breath, and tell ourselves:
The passion I put into my work today—it’s good enough.
The effort I put into my dreams today—it’s good enough.
The thought I put into my connections—it’s good enough.
The time I took to do for the people I love—it’s good enough.
The attempt I made at reaching outside my comfort zone—it’s good enough.
The work I did for my own growth and healing—it’s good enough.
And if we feel that any of this is disingenuous—like we made excuses and held ourselves back—we can still give ourselves credit for what we did right and then commit to doing a little more tomorrow.
We’re all doing the best we can with where we are on each given day. If we’re willing to believe it, our best is good enough.
Photo by Mark Mcwizard
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people honor their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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