Merriam-Webster dictionary defines perfect as "having no mistakes or flaws," and for a majority of our lives, we torture ourselves trying to achieve this so called "perfection." We constantly compare ourselves to those around us — our bodies, our weight, our clothes, our abilities, our grades — trying to be someone who has no flaws. But even though we know perfection isn't actually achievable, we work so hard to get there. We think, "If I get just drop five more pounds, that'll be perfect." Or, "If I could just run a little faster and a little longer, I'll get the perfect PR for my next race." Or, "If I could just get an A on that last exam, I'll have the perfect GPA to land me that dream job."
Have you ever noticed, though, that regardless of whether or not we reach this idea of perfection, we never seem to be truly content with our results. We nitpick at every little detail. If I had just worked a little harder. If I had just eaten a little healthier. If I had just started studying a day earlier and paid a little more attention in class ... In our entire process of achieving the perfection we've been craving for so long, we only ever notice how much more we have to do until we "reach" it. We only ever notice our failed attempts. We only ever notice that we're just not perfect.
We continually compare ourselves to the Kate Uptons or the Matthew McConaugheys of the world. We continually pick out everything that we see as a flaw, a mistake permanently engraved in our minds. We continually find a way to rip ourselves apart before ever seeing the true beauty of the imperfectly perfect humans that we are.
I'm not saying that we shouldn't set goals and challenge ourselves — that's the only way we'll ever make progress in this lifetime. But instead of focusing on all of the things that we don't like about ourselves, we should be celebrating the milestones we pass while reaching for our goals. Focus on the fact that you've healthily lost one pound in the past two weeks rather than the fact that you still have nine more pounds to go. Focus on the fact that you worked hard in your classes last semester and the lessons you've learned rather than the fact that you had one grade that was below average. Focus on the fact that you're a functioning human being rather than the fact that you aren't a "perfect" human being.
I know all of that is easier said than done, and I struggle with these ideas of perfection every day. We're always going to have flaws, and we're always going to make mistakes. But at the end of the day, we're lucky to have the opportunities that are in front of us. We might not like where we are right now, but we're all making moves to get where we want to be — as long as we remember that our destination won't necessarily be flawless, but instead our own sense of perfection; a sense of perfection where we're finally at peace.
