Perfectionism can be a blessing and a curse. As a recovering perfectionist, I speak from experience. When perfectionists do something, they do it really, really well. Once they start something, they complete it but perhaps it takes them a little or a lot longer than others. Perfectionists hold themselves and others to very high standards which can make it difficult to get things done because someone else will always do it better. Yikes!
Chances are if you are a perfectionist, the approaching holiday season has you a bit stressed. After all, how on earth do you do everything perfectly from now until the New Year? Perfect gift giving, perfect decorating, perfect baking, perfect meals, and perfect parties are all things that may be part of how you celebrate the season.
Here’s the bad news, there is no such thing as perfect. You can always apply more effort to those things I just listed and try to make them more perfect but true perfection can never be achieved so please, I beg you, stop trying. Accept your weaknesses, embrace your strengths, and perhaps make them known to family and friends so they can adjust their expectations accordingly.
Please remember, no one but you knows what you thought you could do perfectly. So, let go and trust that everything will be just as it’s meant to be. Try giving yourself time limits for all the pieces of the holiday season and force yourself to stop even if something isn’t perfect. Chances are you will be happier and those around you will too. There is nothing more stressful than trying to keep up with a perfectionist.