How to overcome perfectionism - My experience as a recovering perfectionist | Slow Living in Finland

[@lottiephillips7805]

This is your second video I have watched and they are priceless. Perfectionism has put my life on hold so many times. There are so many things I want to do that I won't attempt - or else start and don't finish (for fear of failure). Thank you so much for honest, common sense approach and clarity. You are helping me to move forward. Lottie

[@annettemahon9059]

Thank you thank you thank you. Everything you say resonates with me. It’s such a joy to meet a like minded person. Very often I feel different to others. It’s very affirming to watch and listen to you.

[@aquietpotager]

Excellent video. Subscribed🐱

[@nancys5996]

You make so many good points. I enjoy many crafts…quilting, knitting, spinning yarn, weaving….and I allow my perfectionism is suck the joy right out of them. Many people think I am quite good at what I create and all I can see are the mistakes. I at least have the awareness that perfectionism is no longer serving me and I just want to experience joy in creating something from almost nothing. And…you’re so right that “done” is better than perfect. It is my desire to identify with being a “recovering” perfectionist. 😊 Thank you for your episode.

[@TheCottageDreamer]

I used to be a perfectionist in my knitting, too, but as you said, becoming aware that it's not serving me anymore is the starting point to acting and thinking differently.

[@amysho2192]

❤ Thanks for sharing! When I was a child, until I turned 13, I was a perfectionist that had no trouble trying to excel in everything and very often did. (Or at least I felt like it.) At age 13, a little after puberty hit, I had emotional issues and things went downhill. Ever since then I stopped trying as hard. After this tough period, I seemed to be afraid of failure and didn't try at all for many things. Or I would start a task but not finish because i would obsess over perfection which I could never reach. I became apathetic and a slob...the complete opposite of how I was ages 12 and under. I'm 45 now and STILL trying to just do things, instead of having an "all or nothing " attitude. My daughter is 13 and I can see her stop caring recently too. She'd rather just not care or try than to fail. When she was younger she was always top of her class (or years ahead) and her room was spotless, etc. Her kindergarten teacher even had a meeting with me to discuss her perfectionism because she would throw an entire paper or project away and cry if she perceived the smallest mistake. I hope she can learn to balance out. I enjoyed your video! Thank you!

[@TheCottageDreamer]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I can relate to what you said: "I'm 45 now and STILL trying to just do things, instead of having an "all or nothing " attitude". I don't think it's easy to let go or our previous thought patterns. Maybe it's a process that will last the rest of our lives. And that's ok, we are learning new ways to cope with things all the time anyway. Wishing you and your daughter a very pleasant day! Thanks for watching!

[@kaychristophertv938]

Your videos are beautiful and filled with good thoughts. I used to think I was a perfectionist but now I realize that I love quality. So I'm not trying so hard to be perfect as to do things well. And, I think you are right that we need to prioritize so that we only put 100% into a very few things because we can't put 100% or even 90% everything. Just the things that truly matter most. And even then, it's hard to be able to do 100% consistently on anything. There's an ebb and flow to life, and sometimes 80% or even 60% is enough. It depends on the season we are in. In any case, it is best to be gentle and loving with ourselves, and not push too hard. And, like you said, to celebrate the successes, however small they might be.

[@TheCottageDreamer]

You're so right, there's an ebb and flow to life. Sometimes things go well without even trying so hard and other times you really have to put in effort. It would be foolish to expect everything to be 100 % perfect all the time.

[@carlrogers85]

Thank you for this inspiring video. I am a perfectionist and I struggle to have realistic goals or I underestimate the time I need to do an easy task (easy in my mind). Your video made me think about my relation with perfectionism. Thank you from France

[@TheCottageDreamer]

Thank you for watching!