When the goal is perfection instead of good enough, anxiety and procrastination often tag along. Expecting things to always be better leaves us in a perpetual cycle of rarely finishing anything, or finishing anything with any satisfaction.
If you are willing to let things be good enough, you get to experience the joy of completing a project and the joy of learning something new. I am sure that somewhere in this article, I will misplace a comma or make another mistake. If that’s offensive to you, please consider that you might be missing out on the joy of letting things be good enough not just while reading this but in other areas of your life too.
If good enough never feels good enough to you, ask these questions:
- Do I enjoy creative pursuits, or does perfectionism get in the way?
- Is it hard to receive compliments because I know I could do better?
- Do I refuse to try new things because I don’t think I’ll do them well?
- Are my expectations of how other people do what they do preventing us from having a good relationship?
- When I decide something is good enough, am I always overthinking how it could have been done differently?
If your answers suggest that perfectionism is getting in the way of your joy, consider practicing the art of letting things be good enough. Don’t sacrifice your creative spirit or your relationships in the name of getting things just right.
It’s just all so temporary that good enough really is good enough. It’s better than that really. Good enough is actually perfect because it gives you grace to make mistakes, time to pay attention to what really matters and the curiosity to try again.
Where to apply your good enough practice
From shopping to being creative and even choosing a new path in life, the practice of letting things be good enough can help in so many ways.
Let things be good enough when you are shopping.
When you begin to simplify, shopping for a new dress or a garlic press can feel stressful. You might be thinking, “but isn’t there a better option?” You may want the best of the best when you are living with less. In reality though, there will always be a better option and in most cases there isn’t a best option. Instead, pick the good enough option. You’ll save so much time and energy and won’t feel stressed about making a decision.
Let things be good enough when you are creating.
It’s painful to think about the paintings that aren’t out in the world, the poems that never make it to the page and even the blog articles that don’t get published in the name of perfect.
The thing is that the more you create, the better you create. It’s a natural part of the process. Even when get really good though, it may never be perfect in your eyes. So what? If it was a joy to create or a joy for someone else to appreciate, so what if it’s not perfect? What do you want to make? Please, make it.
Let things be good enough when choosing your next step.
If you feel stuck because you don’t know what to do next remember that there isn’t a best choice. You may have several good choices and each one will lead to other choices and life experiences.
This advice from a Real Simple article will help. One simple strategy is to define what “good enough” looks like ahead of time, and then stop searching once you find it. “When an option meets those requirements, choose it and move forward,”
Check in with your heart, do a little pro/con list and choose what’s next for your life. Your decision will be good enough.
Let things be good enough when reflecting on past events.
The underrated joy of good enough when reflecting on past events goes something like this. I did the best I could in the moment and while I know more now, I can’t change something that already happened. Instead of living in regret, I will accept it for what it was and make changes moving forward. I’ll embrace the lessons and feel the joy of not tormenting myself for something I don’t have the power to change.
When we let things be good enough we can …
- be kinder (to ourselves and others)
- feel lighter
- save time and energy
- try new things
- sleep well (instead of tossing and turning over that misplaced comma)
Letting things be good enough is a gentle practice for you, your work and your loves. When perfectionism and the fear of better options (FOBO) get in the way, don’t push through. Pay attention to how it feels when you won’t let go, let it be or let it be good enough. Release the stress and tension by taking a walk or journaling and try again.
