How To Be A Perfectionist In An Imperfect World

How To Be A Perfectionist

Recently, I read this article on marriage, and for some reason, it spoke to the perfectionist in me. I am by no means looking to get married anytime soon. Have you heard about my dating woes? However, this article spoke to me because I could see myself being married to someone and still looking to be perfect. Why is being perfect the ultimate goal? What does it mean to be a perfectionist? Honestly, being a perfectionist can be ugly. I find myself comparing my experiences to others who are doing more than me. So, let me tell you about how to be a perfectionist, especially how to be a perfectionist in an imperfect world.

Related: Why Dating Has Always Sucked For Us

Related: How I Was Ghosted And Why I Wasn’t Good Enough

How To Be A Perfectionist

Burnout is so real, my friends. This burnout comes from obsessing about planning almost every facet of your life. The upside is that it can sometimes be fun. I can’t lie that I have a secret Pinterest board dedicated to my future boyfriend, engagement shower, wedding, and honeymoon. I’m not even embarrassed to admit it because that’s just what it means to be a perfectionist. The downside to being a perfectionist is letting yourself down. Letting myself down is one of the worst things for me. Sometimes it’s my fault and sometimes it’s out of my control. I have talked about why I started this blog after I graduated college. I’m incredibly happy that I did, but it came from failing myself. You see, I had a dream like many recent grads that I would get a job right after graduating and everything would be great. I graduated from a top university, had amazing internships, and studied abroad a few times. I didn’t think job searching would be a struggle, but it was!

Related: Why I Started This Blog After Graduating College

A friend of mine always tells me that life isn’t perfect. She tells me that I can’t be perfect all the time. If you’re a perfectionist like me, you know that this is true. You understand that perfection is incredibly difficult to achieve. However, you would rather die trying to get close to that than anything else. You want to be successful, you want to reach great achievements, you want to feel that satisfaction when everything goes smoothly. It’s like a high or a drug, but to be a perfectionist, you’re always trying to plan and capture these goals. It can really become exhausting!

Do You Have To Be Perfect To Be A Perfectionist?

I suppose what I’m trying to say here is that there’s really no secret when it comes to being a perfectionist. Keeping on top of things, staying organized, and being prepared are some of the most common characteristics of a perfectionist. However, know that to be a perfectionist, it requires reminding yourself that not everything and everyone can be perfect. It especially requires you to know not to be so hard on yourself. These are just some of the hardest things when it comes to being a perfectionist. So, no, you don’t have to be perfect to be a perfectionist because we live in an imperfect world.

how to be a perfectionist

What Are Your Thoughts?

Can you relate to being a perfectionist? To you, what does it mean to be a perfectionist? Share your stories down in the comments!

As always, if you like these types of posts or if you are looking for more pieces that will make you think, click here.

Follow Girl In Gamba on Facebook, TwitterInstagram, and Pinterest!

Follow on Bloglovin

 

Featured Image Credit: Pexels

18 Comments
  1. Without a doubt I’m a perfectionist. I always have been. I relate to the burnout thing, I do like every week and I have to just have a day to calm down, but then its one never-ending cycle of reaching for perfection, burning out and then reaching for perfection all over again. It’s both a blessing and a curse I think.

    Beth | http://www.quirksandqueries.com

    1. I am exactly the same! I feel a burnout coming every other week and that’s when I have to learn to stop and take a breath!

  2. This was such an interesting read and so relatable as well!

    I’ve always spent my life being told that I’m such a perfectionist, but I honestly can’t help it. I’m constantly worked up because things don’t happen the way I want it and I know how unrealistic that is in my head already. When things don’t go right, I genuinely feel like my world is falling apart haha!

    So good to read the views of someone else who experiences the same issues I have!

    Jenny x

    http://www.theconfessionsofanonlineshopaholic.com

    1. Jenny I relate so much to everything you just said. I get so upset when things are less than perfect and I really should stop that because I honestly feel like it’s not healthy. But it’s so hard!

  3. I can relate to this post! I have been married for 5 years and Im still ‘trying’ to be perfectionist with every aspect of my life, but life just gets in the way! I have recently realised that somethings are just out of our control and if something isn’t what i deem ‘perfect’ doesn’t mean it isn’t.

    Pinar | beautybakingbella.com

Leave a Reply