So I guess this is perfectionism 102 today since part one was a few days ago. 😉 Someone asked how I was overcoming the negative results of perfectionism and let me just say that I’m learning. I have by no means arrived or even have good answers for you.  I think it starts with recognizing that you are a perfectionist and from there you have to figure out the why? Why is it so important (to the point of stressing you out) that something is done to what you consider perfect? Before you can change you have to do that. I think perfectionism is often rooted in control or pride. For me personally I think a lot of it had/has to do with fear.  I think learning to let go of your life and give it to God is the only place that lasting change happens. By all means do your best (we should in fact) but do it for God and not for yourself.  Living a stressed out life isn’t worth it. What are you trying to prove by being perfect?? Also after talking with my mom about this (btw this is a large topic in general…) we agreed that often it stems from finding our identity in doing. Instead our identity should be firmly rooted in Christ. When we walk confident in the knowledge that we are His then perfectionism will turn into delightfully doing our best instead of being a slave to perfect….which doesn’t exist except in the person of Christ. Thoughts and questions? Please leave them in the comments. 🙂
First off, I adore your hair and shoes. 🙂
I totally agree with your points about finding your identity in Christ .. and this applies to so many other problems besides even perfectionism…. 🙂
Thanks! And yes everything will be put into the right perspective when our identity is in Christ.
Yeah, now that I think about it that is all so true. Being a perfectionist could also come from want of approval, especially from peers.
Cute hair Elaini!
Yes to true…
Thanks! 🙂
As a changing “semi-perfectionist”, I know exactly what you’re saying. I think for me, perfectionism is definitely rooted in fear. The fear of failing has always been knocking at my door, because well, I don’t like to fail. And who does! But I think we all have to learn that failing does not define who we are. Christ does! Over these past few years, I am being taught to let go, and trust God. He’s all the perfection I need 🙂
I hear ya! And great perspective. You know I realized at some point that if I never did anything because I was afraid to fail then I really would have failed. Failed to grow and learn and so many other things. Part of the reason I did this project was a result of that revelation…
awesome hair, elaini! 🙂 i liked your topic on perfection today…ive been trying to be perfect for was too long…and you know what? im pretty excited to not be! im mean seriously, who likes being stressed, right? did i hear an amen? :p
Thanks! I’m excited for you to not be stressed!!! Oh and you heard an amen alright. 😉
and how long are you going to do this for??
Are you as sick of seeing my face on this blog as I am?!?
I think that a lot of people want to be perfect because they want to be like Jesus, but they go about “perfectionism” the wrong way. They try to go around it, rather than going through Jesus himself. Does that make since?
That may be just me though…. 😀
~Sofia
🙂
Thank you for posting this, Elaini . . . and for the food for thought.
My pleasure…just something I was thinking on.