Exceeding our expectations

We tend to expect perfection from every situation in this day and age, and nothing else will do. But the key to getting off the perfection roller coaster is to unchain yourself from the shackles of expectation completely.

Sometimes the very idea of lowering expectations can be a trigger for a perfectionist, believing that anything less than perfection is judged a failure.

Perfectionism is a scourge upon humanity that convinces you that you’re never good enough, no matter how much effort you put into things. You’d think we would avoid this kind of thinking just because it’s so much work, but in truth, we’re raised to believe that if you can’t do something right, perhaps you shouldn’t be doing it at all.

However, ‘perfect does not exist, so if we seek something unattainable, then there will always be a disappointment when it is not achieved.

So often, an expectation of how something ‘should be’ can ruin what could be a joyous occasion. If we can work towards accepting that life is not scripted, that it’s often messy, and the intention is more important than the outcome - then life would be so much more manageable.

Perfectionists tendencies can lead us to become very harsh and judgmental, especially toward ourselves. When you’re ready to embrace imperfection, this is the first thing you need to tackle.

Seeking approval

Stop seeking approval from someone (a parent, boss, child or a social media following) that is not forthcoming will always be a fruitless exercise. If you have to force approval out of someone who is not genuine, will that make you happy?

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