Sitting with Imperfection

The idea of perfection can feel so suffocating and limiting.And often when things aren't perfect, we are quick to make sure others know—but not because of anything we did, of course—it must be someone or something else. Sound familiar?

Whether it’s meandering along your own healing journey, crafting content for a post, painting a picture, or building a business—it all takes practice, patience, and persistence.It takes falling short, trying again, and giving yourself the grace to grow.Progress is not a straight line—it’s messy, winding, and very human.

So why is it so uncomfortable to sit in that messiness?Why do we feel the need to immediately explain away imperfection or make sure it isn’t tied to us?

The truth is, it’s often anxiety that drives us.It’s the anxious part of us that wonders, “If I’m imperfect, will I still be enough? Will I still belong?”Perfectionism, blame-shifting, over-explaining—they’re not flaws in our character.They’re strategies our nervous systems developed to keep us safe, loved, and accepted.

Some of us grew up or worked in environments where being perfect, being right, or being beyond criticism was celebrated—where curiosity, softness, and self-awareness weren’t modeled.Those old patterns don't just disappear because we want them to.Wanting to control outcomes or protect our image is deeply human.

But real growth happens when we pause and get curious.When we can notice our urge to be perfect, to defend, to blame—and ask ourselves with kindness: 

➔ What am I trying to protect right now? 

➔ What fear or tender part of me is asking for attention?

Imperfection isn’t proof of failure—it’s evidence that you’re alive, learning, and brave enough to try.

What if we honored the messy middle as sacred instead of shameful?What if we celebrated the works-in-progress, the "almosts," and the "not yets"—in ourselves and each other?

There’s so much beauty waiting for us there.

Post Written by Stephanie Pelland