Have you ever caught yourself endlessly tweaking a project, rewriting an email over and over, or hesitating to put something out into the world because it’s just not quite right yet?
Yeah? Me too.
In this newsletter, we’re diving into perfectionism—why it shows up, how it holds us back, and what we can do to move forward. You’ll also find details about my upcoming live guided meditation and Q&A, plus a link to my latest sleep meditation to help you unwind.
Perfectionism: The Hidden Barrier
Anne Lamott once said, "Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor." It tricks us into believing that if we could just get everything exactly right, we’d finally feel worthy, accomplished, or at peace. But in reality, perfectionism often does the opposite—it keeps us stuck, drains our energy, and stops us from taking action.
For many of us, perfectionism isn’t just a habit—it’s something we learned growing up. If you were only praised when you got things right, or if mistakes were met with disappointment, it makes sense that you’d develop a fear of imperfection. But as adults, holding ourselves to impossible standards can leave us feeling exhausted and unfulfilled.
The truth? Done is better than perfect. And small, imperfect steps often lead to more progress than waiting for perfection.
How to Break Free from Perfectionism
Notice the signs – Perfectionism often shows up as procrastination, overthinking, or self-doubt. Recognising it is the first step to shifting it.
Challenge the fear – Ask yourself: What’s the worst that will happen if this isn’t perfect? Most of the time, the risk is much lower than our brain tells us.
Take imperfect action – Instead of waiting until something is "just right," try doing it at 80% and moving forward. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Use mindfulness to let go – Visualize setting perfectionism down, just like placing a leaf on a gently flowing stream and watching it drift away.
If this resonates with you and you want to dive deeper, I’d love for you to join me for a live guided meditation and Q&A on perfectionism. We’ll explore how to release the pressure to always get things right, and I’ll be answering your questions live.
Join Me Live: youtu.be/oZmy1Rmeiw8
See you there! 💙
P.S. Drop a comment under the video at the link above and share—how has perfectionism shown up in your life? I’ll be discussing your insights during the session.
▶ Watch: Guided Sleep Meditation | Unwind after a long day
Struggling with Sleep? Try My Latest Guided Meditation
If you’ve been feeling stressed or have trouble falling asleep, I’ve just released a guided sleep meditation that takes you on a peaceful journey to the beach. This session is designed to help you unwind, relax, and drift into a deep, restful sleep.
Until next time—take care, be kind to yourself, and remember that progress is better than perfection.
Warmly,
Chibs 💙
