The pursuit of perfection accompanies many of us in all areas of life: We want to do a great job, have a flawless body, spend wonderful holidays on paradisiacal beaches, and then post the perfect pictures of this perfect trip on Instagram. We are always pushing ourselves to the limit - both professionally and privately - and are far from satisfied with 100 percent. True to the motto: There's still more! After all, you only live once, and if you really be successful has to run one extra mile after another. Or not? Could it be that perfection is an illusion?
Well, of course, you should try your best. If you want to climb the career ladder, have a muscular body, or afford luxury vacations, it will require some form of sacrifice, whether mental or physical. Success at times can also mean that you have to be ready to push your own pain threshold. But it doesn't mean that you have to be perfect in all situations all the time. Those who strive for perfection are in constant competition with themselves and others, which means they can only lose in the long term. And anyway: who or what is actually perfect?
Perfection is often related to an ideal that either arises in your head or is dictated by social norms. The media and social networks, in particular, keep suggesting to us what the perfect life or perfect body should look like. Even the top model on the magazine cover doesn't have the same air-brushed perfection in real life. Lots of staging and subsequent optimization are used to ensure that this model looks absolutely perfect.
It is precisely at this point that perfection starts to become dangerous. Especially young ones, unsafe and unstable people allow themselves to be blinded by supposedly perfect ideals. They begin to doubt themselves and emulate an idea that they will never achieve. Because neither a person, nor life, nor anything else is ever perfect. Perfection is neither natural, nor desirable. And the more we come to terms with the idea, the more relaxed we become. Because we realize that we don't even need to chase an unrealistic state that can never be achieved anyway.
Instead of doubting ourselves, we should use our energy to be more Self-confidence and self-love. Because setting your goals so high that they are unattainable is quite frustrating in the long run. You could also say: striving for perfection is the best guarantee for frustration and Disappointment. If you treat yourself this way, you shouldn't be surprised if your motivation falls by the wayside at some point. After all, self-love is much more important than a top job, a toned body or a vacation on a dream beach, Self-acceptance and appreciation of your own performance and your own body. Don't let the illusion of perfection get on your last nerve. Here come three tips for more Self-love:
You are wonderful - just the way you are. You don't have to become taller, shorter, fatter, thinner, smarter, richer or any other way to be lovable. You already are. And it's time to start showing that love to yourself. Once you develop a positive self-image, you automatically become confident. You understand that you don't have to emulate any ideal to have a happy and lead a fulfilled life. Because true happiness comes from within.
Stop comparing yourself to others and make other people's ideals your own. Who says you have to have a well-paying managerial job of 70 hours a week? Who tells you how much you can weigh to be "beautiful"? And why do you value the opinions of others so much? Perhaps you know the following saying: "We buy things that we don't need with money that we don't have, in order to impress people we don't like." You don't find happiness on the outside but on the inside. And what others think or say does not matter there.
Do you know how to live a carefree, happy life? Quite simply: By being relaxed about yourself. Don't be too strict on yourself, but be your own best friend. Imagine your best friend makes a mistake. Would you say to him: "I told you right away that you couldn't do it"? Probably not. Friends are given encouraging, motivating words. You are there for friends. It is time to be there for yourself too. Don't let every little thing throw you off track; learn to be your own best friend, and march to the beat of your own drum.
The world is full of people trying to be perfect. However, what this world needs much more is people who are unique. The world needs lateral thinkers, visionaries, and people with creative ideas and the courage to implement them. Be one of them! Do not try to be a perfect follower, but go your own way and learn that perfection does not exist. Life is colourful, wild, diverse, unpredictable, and unique - but never perfect. It has a lot to offer. But it will never be entirely perfect. And that's just as well.
