By Erika Weisensee, Oregon Writer
I am far from “Mrs. Perfect,” though at times, I admit, I try too hard to be her. SHE is that pulled-together looking woman whose house is clean, who excels in home and work activities, who exercises regularly and makes time for friends, who cooks delicious meals from scratch and does it all with a smile. Reality check: Yesterday, we ate take out for lunch AND dinner, I haven’t worked out in more than a week, and my house, inside and out, needs some serious TLC.
Certainly, striving to do your best is a worthy and honorable goal. But, doing one’s best is different than being obsessed with perfection. While perfectionists are usually high achievers, they can be burdened by their desire for perfection. They beat themselves up when they make mistakes, they constantly compare themselves to others, and they may also be unfairly critical of others. A lot of people (women especially it seems) feel pressure to be perfect. In our quest to be perfect and to do it all, we forget to enjoy the moment.
As the mom of a young child, I’ve learned a lot these past four years. One of the most important lessons, I think, has been accepting that I cannot do it all. Because I have less time for everything, I’ve learned to focus on what matters most. Yesterday, I may not have cooked much or worked out or cleaned the house, but I spent a lot of quality time with Owen. We played with cars and trains. We went for a walk. We read books. The sun was finally shining! Yes, it was a perfect day.
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Erika Weisensee is a writing mom and a native Oregonian.
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