We are pretty okay with imperfection around here. I devoted an entire series on my blog to confessions of an imperfect mother. We’ve talked about how it is important to be open and honest about our own imperfections, and we’re always up for sharing and talking about the realities of life and motherhood. But for all of our accepting of imperfections it’s important that we don’t give ourselves a license to stop improving.
Do you ever think about life back in the day and wonder how the women did it? Raising a dozen kids, battling intense diseases, washing cloth diapers by hand, making clothes for the entire family and cooking every meal from scratch. I truly don’t think I’d be able to do it all! Whenever I stop and think about what life was like for the pioneers of yesteryear I have to look at my life and think “sheesh, I can’t even keep up with the vacuuming!” Seriously, my home practically cleans itself with all the fancy gadgets taht we have these days, and yet I still find myself falling behind all too often.
Which is why, some days I have to take a good honest look at my self and say “this is ridiculous, I can do better”. No guilt, no wallowing or feeling bad about myself. Just the facts. I always seem to be behind on laundry and I need to work on finding a solution for that that. I don’t vacuum nearly enough and I need to step it up. I’m not always as patient with my kids as I should be, and I need to focus on that asap.
Is it okay that I’m imperfect? Yep, it sure is. But it’s not okay for me to stay there forever. To stop trying to improve. We are never going to be perfect, to have it all together and never mess up. That just won’t happen, but that’s no reason to quit trying. The impossibility of imperfection means that we shouldn’t drown ourselves in guilt, while we still strive to be the best that we can be, today. When today doesn’t go too-well, then it’s the perfect time to try again tomorrow. To keep working at it.
In slowly coming to accept my glaring lack of perfection, I’ve learned that everything doesn’t have to be an emotional experience. Sure, admitting imperfections often is, because we all quietly crave that perfection from ourselves, but it’s okay. We are all imperfect and so were our great-great-great grandmothers.
In the accepting of our imperfections, let’s just not forget to keep improving. To be able to look ourselves in the eye and say “you can do better” and then make a plan to improve.
Let’s keep going in the right direction. Without guilt, or discouragement, just the guts to be honest about where we could improve and then going for it!
What area of life are you going to strive to improve in this week? Without guilt, or pressure, just honest to goodness trying! Share in the comments so we can encourage one another!
Lynne says
I am going to strive to do one load of laundry every day. Just one.
Trine @ Creative Pink Butterfly says
Im not a mum but this post really spoke to me! I can do better and I should do better! This goes for all areas of my life. I have been feeling quite low on energy lately and besides from work I cant seam to do anything else. I am a terrible procrastinator – but now I only thinking I can do better! Thats for that little pick-me-up :) Hope you have an awesome day!
Leilani says
I tell myself that all the time! And it’s not that I feel guilty its just that yes, sometimes I can do better. Visiting from the mommy moment link up!