Often, we imagine that if we do everything perfectly, we can avoid blame, judgment, and shame. But the truth is that, more often than not, perfectionism makes us feel bad about ourselves.
The best way to acknowledge your mistakes and imperfections is to practice self-compassion. Treat yourself the way you’d treat a good friend, offering the same kindness and understanding you’d offer to someone else in a similar situation.
Self-compassion takes practice, so don’t worry if it’s difficult at first. You might be tempted to ignore emotional pain, or beat yourself up for feeling bad.
Once you give up on unrealistic standards, you can begin the work of truly becoming yourself. Learn more about The Gifts of Imperfection in our latest Instaread.
