Perfectionism is exhausting

I have to credit Brooke White (Season 7 American Idol contestant) for the title of this post. A few weeks ago, she tweeted, "Perfectionism is exhausting. Let go." And it came at just the right time and I haven't been a crazy, rip-my-hair-out perfectionist ever since.

I just submitted my next article and it didn't take me twelve million years to write it and edit it before sending it in. Usually, whenever I start on a new project, my inner critic immediately jumps in and says, "Psh. They're gonna reject you. You're not good enough to write for THAT website." And it leaves me questioning my worth as a writer. I feel the need to write, re-write, perfect, and over-perfect, and edit it at least fifteen times before biting my lip as I hit "send."

I did this before submitting my Tiny Buddha article. I kept telling myself that something was missing. That I could do better. That it was lame. That it was going to get rejected.

The very next day, I had an email from Lori Deschene (Founder of Tiny Buddha) saying that it was wonderful and that she would be honored to publish it. When it was posted on the site, people wrote to me for two straight weeks with their wonderful comments. And to think that I thought it wasn't good enough.

So today, if you're feeling overwhelmed or not good enough and you feel the need to drive yourself bananas with perfectionism, loosen up and cut yourself some slack instead. You're enough just the way you are and people will appreciate you for it.

<3 Madison