You are enough!Good morning!

I gave up trying to be perfect right around the time I decided worrying was a waste of time. 

However, both like to pay me a visit every now and then. 

I’m down to dealing with worry for about 5 minutes, and then I declare I’m done and move on. Really…if I can’t change it, why worry? And most of what we all worry about doesn’t come true so why bother in the first place? (Are you reading, mom?!)

Perfection – that’s something I still struggle with in my business because I want to be the best that I can for my own satisfaction and for my clients. For instance, sometimes just writing this newsletter every other week takes me hours, as I go through word by word, editing and re-editing hoping to create the ever elusive perfect write. 

Then sometimes one just has to say, “Done is better than good.” (Thanks for the reminder, Liz Gilbert quoted from her latest book, “Big Magic.”) And whether you appreciate this saying or not, sometimes when a deadline is looming you just have to go with what you’ve got, and then let it go.  

For some, perfection leads to procrastination which can cause one to just give up before one even begins. Thankfully that won’t happen with getting dressed. Unless you’re living in a clothing optional environment, all of us have to get dressed every day, therefore endless procrastination is not an option. 

So when it comes to getting dressed, don’t take a long time editing and re-editing your outfit, striving for that perfect look. 

What I always say to my clients, especially the ladies, so listen up: “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being authentic, and feeling ____________(fill in the blank with however you want to feel) and looking ___________(fill in the blank with however you want to look, except please don’t use the word “perfect.” 🙂

Let me share a personal story. I used to struggle with my clothing, spending way too much time striving for that perfect outfit. And then when I thought I had perfection, I walked around feeling great, and thinking I looked great, yet quite a few times not one compliment was given. And…I’ve spent minutes throwing something together, with little care in the world (I call that “getting dressed effortlessly!”) and have gotten rave reviews. I mean really, this just proves that what may seem “perfect” to you may not be “perfect” for someone else and vice versa. 

There were even times in my younger days when if I didn’t put together an outfit that I felt was “party perfect” I just wouldn’t go out. Yes, I passed on the party. Crazy, I know but that’s how wrapped up I was in looking perfect. We can only blame the messages that society has been feeding us (mostly women) for so long, and then at some point we just need to take responsibility and decide to quit the nasty habit of striving to look perfect. (Really, we need to stop trying to be perfect too, but that’s an entirely different conversation than the one I’m having with you now.)

There are many times that I step out into the world looking less than perfect, and I am perfectly fine with this. I want you to be too. Perfection is subjective, and a time sucker. Believe me, the only one who’s going to notice if you look less than perfect is you.  

Looking too perfect can also be intimidating to others. If that’s your goal, then go for it! But most of the time my clients want to look friendly and approachable, and feel confident and authentic.

Quite frankly, I get a little suspicious if things look a bit too perfect. I can be distracted by it, focusing on the outfit, instead of the person in it. Perhaps it’s because I’m looking for that little imperfection or clue that gives me a peek into their personality, something that tells me that they’re human.

And besides, I think perfection has a tendency to look contrived when it comes to composing an outfit. You know, like you wore an outfit picked piece by piece right out of a magazine or taken straight off the mannequin at the department store. The creativity of getting dressed turns too serious and takes the fun out of it. The end result lacks authenticity and soul. Sometimes something a little “off” or a little “imperfect” is what makes the outfit…well, perfect. 🙂 

So, I say it again…don’t take a long time editing and re-editing your outfit, striving for that perfect look. It’s a waste of your precious time. (Oh, and feel free to heed this advice in other areas in your life where you strive to be “perfect,” if you wish.)

Being authentic to your style and how you want to feel and look in your clothes, not to mention what you do in them, is way more important than trying to compose the perfect outfit. 

Bonus tip: When you do put together an outfit that you love, and you might even call it “perfect,” take a photo of it and create your own personal style “Look Book” by downloading the photo to you computer in a special file labeled: “My Killer Outfits” or whatever you want to call it. You’ll be so happy you did, because believe me, you will forget that killer outfit you composed, and you’ll be frustrated trying to figure out just what it was. Been there, done that.

As much as I’m not one who takes on new year resolutions, I do think that giving up on being perfect is perfect for the new year.  So…Are you ready to give it up? 

That’s it for this week. Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me. Happy New Year! 

Love,

~Michelle

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