Stop thinking I have to be perfect.

If I spend time beating myself up for what I’m not doing then I won’t have time to actually do the things I want to do. I am working on forgiveness of other people this year but I think that I also need to work on forgiveness of myself. I will forgive myself that I haven’t edited my novel. I will forgive myself that I did not find motivation to go to the pool. Then I will free my time up to “just do it!” yea!

“If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be.”

Such a smart guy.

I hope I can do this. If I could do this, I really think I could let go creatively and start writing my book, start publishing my poetry and start sending out my short stories and work to literary magazines.

“Perfectionist thinking is such a big stumbling block for so many of us. Instead of feeling good about every improvement we make, we kick ourselves because we feel we could have done better.”

I came across this quote recently in a Slimming World magazine, it was referring to our attitude to dieting and weight loss but I could apply it to most parts of my life. I don’t think it’s wrong to try and do my best in whatever I do, and sometimes things will go really well and turn out pretty close to perfect. But other times my efforts will be left wanting, and this is fine, it’s normal, it’s acceptable. I should just be pleased that I tried and learn from the experience. Nor does it mean I’ve failed, just so long as I get up and try again.